IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


^ 

.**> 


4^  A^> 


^, 


^ 


^ 


« 


I 


^S     «*  M   ■2.2 

1.1    f.-^Kfi 
^       liii 

L25  B_u  11.6 


-» 


HiotogFaphic 

Sdmoes 

CorparatiQn 


«!^ 


29  WMT  MAM  STtin 

WIISTM,N.Y.  I4SM 
(71«)in-4503 


^^    ^\ 


v\ 


% 


CIHM/ICMH 


Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


CuMdlwi  ImtltuM  fw  Historical  Mieroraprodiictlant  /  liwtitut  Canadian  da  mlcroraproductlons  histoflquas 


Tachiiical  and  Bibliographic  Notaa/Notaa  taehniquas  at  Mbliographiquas 


Tha  Instituta  has  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  bast 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  this 
copy  which  may  ba  bibllographicaiiy  unlqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproduction.  or  which  may  significantly  changa 
tha  usual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm*  la  maillaur  axamplaira 
qu'il  lui  a  it*  possibia  da  sa  procurar.  Las  details 
da  cat  axamplaira  qui  sont  paut-*tra  uniquas  du 
point  da  vua  bibliographiqua,  qui  pauvant  modif iar 
una  imaga  raproduita,  ou  qui  pauvant  axigar  una 
modification  dans  la  mithoda  normala  da  filmaga 
sont  indiquis  ci-dassous. 


0 


Colourad  covers/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


I      I   Covars  damagad/ 


D 


□ 


D 
D 


D 


Couvartura  andommagia 


Covars  rastorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  rastauria  at/ou  palliculia 


I      I   Cover  titia  missing/ 


La  titra  da  couvartura  manqua 

Colourad  maps/ 

Cartas  giographiqras  an  coulaur 

Colourad  inic  (i.a.  othar  than  blua  or  black)/ 
Encra  da  coulaur  (i.a.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I     I   Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


D 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relii  avac  d'autras  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrie  peut  ceuser  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  la  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  posalbla,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaisaent  dans  la  taxte, 
mais.  lorsqua  cela  itait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  iti  filmies. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentairas  supplimentaires: 


D 
D 

n 

D 
0 
D 
D 
D 
D 


Coloured  pagus/ 
Pafies  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Peges  restauries  at/ou  pellicuiies 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dicolories,  tacheties  ou  piquies 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditachias 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Qualit*  irtigaki  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  material  suppMmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  erreta 
slips,  tissues,  etc..  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Lea  pages  totalement  ou  partieliement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  una  palure, 
etc..  ont  Ati  filmies  A  nouveau  de  fa^on  h 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possiMe. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  tha  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  ^  .'  f  ilmi  au  taux  de  rMuetion  indk|u*  ci'deaaoua. 

10X  14X  1BX  22X 


aix 


30X 


c 

1 

J 

12X 


1«X 


»X 


MX 


2IX 


32X 


Jhm  copy  filmed  h«r«  hat  b««n  raproduecd  thanks 
to  th«  ganarosity  of: 

York  Univtrsity 
Toronto 
Soott  Library 

Tha  Imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
poaaibia  eonaidarlng  tha  condition  and  laglbillty 
of  tha  original  oopy  and  In  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  apaoiflcationa. 


Original  copiM  in  printad  papar  eovara  ara  filmad 
baginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad  or  lUuatratad  Impraa- 
•k>n,  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  copiaa  ara  filmad  baginning  on  tha 
f  Irat  paga  with  a  printad  or  INuatratad  Impraa- 
sion.  and  anding  on  tha  laat  paga  wMi  a  printad 
or  illuatratad  impraaalon. 


Tha  laat  racordad  frama  on  aach  mioroflcha 
•haN  contain  tha  aymbd  ^^ ^  (moaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  aymbol  ▼  (moaning  "END"), 
whichavar  appliaa. 


L'axamplaira  flimA  fut  raproduit  grica  i  la 
gAnAroaM  da: 

York  Univtrsity 
Toronto 
Soott  Library 

Laa  Imagaa  auivantao  ont  At*  raproduitas  avac  la 
pitia  grand  soin,  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattat*  da  l'axamplaira  film*,  at  an 
eonformit*  avac  laa  conditions  du  contrat  da 
flimaga. 

Laa  aKamplalraa  origlnaux  dont  la  couvartura  wx 
papiar  aat  imprimia  sont  fllmAs  an  commanfant 
par  la  pramlar  plat  at  an  tarmlnant  soit  par  la 
damlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  ampralnta 
dimpraaalon  ou  d'llluatration.  soit  par  la  sacond 
plat,  aalon  la  caa.  Toua  laa  autraa  axamplairas 
origlnaux  aont  fllmAa  an  eomman9ant  par  la 
pramMra  paga  qui  comporta  una  ampralnta 
dimpraaalon  ou  dllluatration  at  an  tarmlnant  par 
la  damMra  paga  qui  comporta  una  talla 
ampralnta. 

Un  daa  aymbolaa  suhmnta  apparattra  sur  la 
damMra  imaga  da  chaqua  microficha.  salon  la 
caa:  la  aymbola  — »•  signifia  "A  8UIVRF",  la 
aymbola  ▼  signific  "FIN". 


Mapa.  plataa,  charta.  ate.,  may  ba  filmad  at 
diffarant  reduction  rattoa.  Thoae  too  large  to  be 
entirely  Included  toi  one  expoeure  ere  filmed 
beginning  In  the  upper  left  hend  comer,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  ae  many  framae  aa 
requkred.  TIm  followhig  diagrama  Muatrete  the 
method: 


planches,  tablaeux,  etc.,  peuvcnt  Atre 
fllmAe  A  dee  taux  da  rAduction  diff Arents. 
Loraqua  la  document  eet  trop  grand  pour  Atra 
raproduit  li  un  aeul  cllchA.  II  eet  fllmA  A  pertir 
do  rangle  supArieur  gauche,  do  gauche  A  droite. 
et  do  heut  en  baa.  en  prenent  le  nombre 
d'imegee  nAceeaalre.  Lee  diegremmes  suhrants 
INuatrent  la  mAthode. 


12  3 


3BX 


1 

2 

3 

4 

S 

6 

^t^ 


I         .  •.■J» 


S.  .-      1  't       •  .. 


<fi 


>, 


■^^l 


0,'     "t" 


"6        '■'^  f 


ei  "^ "« 


If        y^ 

ttNtTED  STAHiS, 


tv  tin  tjMmitiih  i$,u^ki$i 


'  «i.iKit9«nif^  vtM  aitroBT  •r^bat  tuioAi 


WllifMlUiAW 


.i.V/.^v    ^'V.' 


^T  ;09N  BftiiJIKAlK^ 


V  ^;:^  V 


^  t 


>--T<  ^ 


-^SS,       •''vr-. 


'J' 


i*.^. 


A. 


f-s«- 


1    ^^ 


.^.- 


.  ,\, 


JHqriV^^t  or  COtUMBIA,  to  wU: 


Wf^i^^^pniliWMtar  in  m  to  wit  t 

MBttfV  W  lJr«tRl  OfBeoii  of  tfie  United  SMea  dnriM 
^ i»lM^7«M^|i{S, MIS, in%» «Dd til«^,  vUi  adniad- 
— '  fi\»ili^y til  Milaii  flf  tit  fBriwi»  wlUfiliirt  ini 


of  fh»  Untod  Stxtm.  «fltiiM  *«  An  A«t 
.   aeeuring  die  Mwt  tf  auuH,  «lHurta  «mI 


ti  ii '-  . 


it  i|MAni(d^  ixt^  Ml  of  i 

•«4a  Ael  Itri 

(MfiMir^  Md  ctaidng  htiUriadia^ 

,. >IftWHiWEOF»  I  ImfchamwUftet nr  ImmI,  Md 
m^am  Wit  of  nj  oA«e,  tlie  dqr  Md  ydrVfif^Mid, 

BpMUNDLLBB.    ,. 
Ctek«rtlwDirtrirtGoiirtf>r&Oi«riotlirCaliii<ibhi. 


I  JMmJWtfd,"  Mdexfeeadiiif  dke  lie»eftt»  dieiwirio  tbe  arti  ol^ 


m 


f 


««•>■ 


d 


<n-^   , 


'i. 


0'  . 


"^i  "id       ^  *     -^   i» 


'•r^n. 


wmxxAmk 


k 


,  A^  the  termination  of  the  lal»  war  between  the  United  StalM 
and  Great  Britain,  it  frequently  occurred  to  the  editQprthat  it  woidd 
be  performing  a  useful  service  to  hia  country,  to  collect  and  pub- 
Urii  all  the  important  official  letters  of  the  American,  officers,  to 
pveserve  them  to  the  rising  and  to  future  generaiionft;  having 
himself  frequently  regretted  the  ittpoMibility  ef  obCKttiagf  acoeia 
lb  the  letters  of  the  officers  of  otir  ttvoU^m,  iviOi  itdey-hw 
«leeplioh8.  He  delayed  the  task  ^m  time  fo  tinoi^  i^.coriat  • 
^ence  of  the  great  labour  attending  if  y  ht  hm,  at  ttafedi,  oom- 
deted  the  work  which  i»  now  presMtQd  td  mpHimn^^^li^ 

A  p«rt  of  these  letters  were  cofii^  /rtfrn*  waa^vtlB^^cit  tin* 
#&ers  oomfMrad  wiiyi,  the  originak  on  file  in  tb»  War  ttil  Nftvy 
Bepartmenta;  those  tadcen  from  th«  official' ()(^bddcs#iii^ 
ttie  Natioqal  Intelligencer,  were  found  to  bei  vaiiiSanaly  figoinett. 

It  was  deemed  proper  to  commence  the  work  utith-  ni^  Presi- 
4iot*a  messaf^  and  the  rdport  of  ttie  cottmittiee  df  htAfi  rehi- 
tionsi  sfaowfk^  th6  causes  of  the  war;  to  pnalMf,  iti  W»  Woi^k 
aome  historical  documents ;  and  conclude  with  the  tras^  of  peace, 
iBrming  in  a  measure,  a  doeomentary  history  from  itStcemfnenc*- 
ment  to  its  termination.  ^^ 

The  young  men^of  America  now  advanced,  in4  adviantii^  tit» 
.  manhood,  must  be  higUy  gratified  in  perusing  thif  veiora^  )  tnejr 
'M  there  seetiieir  faraers,  their  brothers,  and  their  friends,  in 
tlKeir  true  colours,  in  the  most  trying  timea.  "the  mmtM  <^.&ose 
valuable  men  who  have  shed  thea*  blood  in  dsfenei  of  tbeir 
country,  in  whatsoever  station,  ought  to  be  inscribed  o^  the  roll 
of  fame,  held  up  to  ^neral  imitation,  and  handfaid'  doystH  to  pos- 
terity for  their  admiration,  llie  highest  hoQatuw  ari  due  to 
those  whose  ^bravery  repelled  the  savage  and<  fhe  dtDis^  Ibe^ 
both  by  sea:  and  land ;  whose  undaunted  valour  and  HercdH^  was 
never  excelled  in  the  proudest  days  of  the  aiici«lb«publies. 

To  the  officers  of  the  army  mad  navy,  (to>  whiilir  it  is  most 
respecefuU^dedicaied)it  it  presumed  thtsvoluiile  WiD^prove.i^Ni^ 
aoceptabie,         ^  ^,  ^ 


4«;^■ 


■m. 


# 


'^f.w 


m 


.  .(.i. 


#■ 


S<-,Sf-^fi 


^s^MdS'f- 


7-  ^M"^ 


%  ,}: 


^. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


l-i 


.■*;'• 


*  1812. 

JitiM*     PltijldiMrtMftdiiOB*taMiMntoCon|reM, •' • 

IU|tortdrtlMCemiiiltt«a  of  Foreign  ReUtloos, .*•••  15 

'AitldMlaringwar.  witbtlM  Y«MaudNayi,.«.* tS 

nttr  B.  Ponor,  <iL  M.  O.  to  Major  MulIao]r,».. t9 

„      M^orlMnUaartoMi^orOomralHalljH 90 

July.     GMttAl  Hull*t  ptoclaawtion  at  Sandwich, 30 

Gtaaral  WUkiiiMn'i  ganeral  erdar  at  New  Orleani........... 39 

.  Golmiel  Cantogoneral  Hulli  Sam|wicb,..**f ••••••  IB 

CaptniaofMicbilinackinac  [Britiihaccouat,] 39 

AagWlt  Ueutenapt  Hanin*  account  of  ditto,.* *.••....«•*.•.•....•••  34 

GaMtal  Hull  to  Secretary  of  War,.,.^ , 16 

gMnarai  Hull<—8ttrrend«r  of  Detroit,  Sie». ..*  SO 

inefal  BrockVgeneral  order, « 4S 

Gioeral  Hull*!  aeeount  of  the  Surrender  of  Detroit, •••«•  44 

OoIomI  Clue*  account  of  ditto, « S6 

Captain  Porter— Capture  of  the  Alert • •..  44 

Captain  Hull— Capture  of  the  Ouerriere, ..•;#........  4V 

Septan. CMjunodore  Rodger^e  Craii9,.*f.*»««****.«««*«***«»**««t^«'«**«*«*«  5S 

CKivembr  Me^  to  the  CMseni  of  Ohio tf.*^**. ...•*•••  54 

General  Hanrieon  to  ditto^ 5S 

Oaneral  Harrleon  to  Governor  Shelb7,..t •« •..«*•..•  56 

C3aptain  Tajior— Defence  of  Fort  HarriMu,^. 61 

laieutenani  Hamilton— Defence  of  Fort  Madison, ; 63 

Otftbb.  CoMUodore  Barney— Ciuiw  iif  Schooner  Roisie, 65 

LfeutanaiUElUot— Oaptura  of  tha  Detroit  and  Caledonia,.....M...  66 

Seereury  of  the  Itavy  to  Lieutenant  EUiot,».r«»»......  ••.••#«••  tT 

Getteral  Tupper  to  General  Haffieon i „... 60 

General  Van  Rennelaer— Battle  of  Qiieenitown, «•  74 

Colonel  N4wniap*i  Indian  Expedition, , 71 

OmKaIn  Haald— manacre  at  Chicago,, • *....•  84 

Mi^wr  Toaar-*affklrat  St,  Regii,...* 86 

OoBMnodoro-Decatur— Capture  of  die  Macedonian...... 87 

Cdooel  HoMll't  Indian  Expedition, 88 

8apltH.O(Nmioc!ore  Rodgert— Capture  of  tho  Swallow, Sto^,...^,, 69 

Coanaodore  Cbaaneey  attack*  the  Royal  George,.* t*******  90 

Captain  Jones  •-Capture  of^e  FroUc, **...^ 9%. 

eulonel  M«.  Feely— attack  on  Fort  Nfiagara,.. * 9S 

General  B[apli|n»-««pedition  on  the  Wabash,., 95 

|l«e»«*  Ge^Hd-Smyth— afNrsatBuiBilo,».,*.« *.*.,*•••••  97:-iai 

ColoWIICainpbell— Mtssisrineway  Cami.aig»,**.., 104 

Oeneral  Harrison  and  Oblonel  Campbell  on  ditto,. *H.* *•  100,110 

Geiilral  Peter  B.  Porter  to  the  public, •*,ftf •* •#••••  105 ' 

JTan'ry.  Goamiodoce  B«inhr|dti>4HPfk|^«rfjQfthe  Jatra».*...**^M«*.*.«.**  tt%4 

MinutefW^MActipn  widith«#a«tu.....*>.,«*i..**...**4**>**«»  499 
Ifigor  MtdliM^^yaad  G«wwatTan^Rans8elaer,..*.*..«i'^**...ltO  it  HI 
Oewral  gfirNii'  'C"pfa»w  of  Gviwral  Wlnc|iester)M»*M«v««l«t  |(  lt§^ 

'■''  '  ■   ■.'■        *■■  -''  & 


J« 


Ju 

A< 


'%. 


% 


«*■ 


'•!•• 

• .  innfj,   Imbc  Day  to  Gknettl  Htrriioi, * ••••  1*4 

^              Colonel  Lewis— Battle  near  Frenchtown, • ••••  IM 

»              Major  MK/Unehan— Battle  at  the  River  Raitin •#•!.••  190 

OeuerallVincbeater's  account  of  hie  capture,.** • ,  198 

Febr*7*  Secretary  of  W»r*a  Plan  of  the  Northern  Campaign; '  139 

Mauacre  at  Ftenchtown, • ••«•*•••••  196 

Major  Foriyth--Capture  of  Ofdeneburgi •••  196 

President  Madison'i  MetMage  to Congreeii**  ••  4 »»»»»»•  196 

.  March.  General  Dearborn->expected  attack  on  SackettU Harbour^**..  137 

General  Harrison^ affaire  in  the  North-West, •*...  198 

— — — — ^—  objects  to  the  Plan  of  the  Campaign,.** 199 

Captain  Lawrence-^Capturo  of  the  Peacock •*•*•••  141 

April.    General  Pike's  General  Order.......... ...........*..*••..  144 

Commodore  Chauncey  and  General  Dearborn— Capture  of  York  146   • 

May.     GeneralHarriion— Capture  of  General  Clay's  Detachment,..*.  149 

Captain  S.  H.  Moore  on  the  Capture  of  York,...*.. ...•.*•.•>••.  151 
General  Harrison— Attack  on  Fort  Meigs,  Geueral  Order  and 

Siege  of  Fort  Meigs, '. 14tffti5£ 

General  Clay ^s  account  of  his  disaster,... •• ....»*•«**..  158 

General  Boyd's  Btigade  Orders, 160&168 

General  Dearborn— Capture  of  Fort  George,..* •.*•■••••  161 

General  Brown— Attack  on  Sackett's  Harbour,,.^. *....'... .*•••*  163 

lune.     General  Dearborn — Capture  of  Generals  Chandler  and  Winder,  164 

Lieutenant  Allen— from  LK>rient,  (Prance,).... •••  164 

General  Lewis — Capture  of  Generals  Chandler  and  Winder,****  165 

Lieutenant  Budd — Capture  of  the  Chesapeake,*.***.. .**..*..*  16T 

Midshipmen  Berry  and  Weaver  on  ditto, *.•••  1y8 

LieutanintChauncey— Capture  of  the  Lady  Murray, 169 

General  Chandlar  on  the  Affair  at  Stony  Creek, ...• 169     |i 

Captain  Casein — Attack  on  Craney  Island,. >*.*  ITI-S 

General  Dearborn — Affair  at  the  Beaver  Dams, '^^  * 

Captain  Angus — Flotilla  in  the  Delaware,.*.... »t  174'^*^ 

July.      Conmiodore  Porter— Affairs  in  the  Pacific,...* tt***  175 

August.  General  Harrison  and  Major  Crogban— Defenceof  FortSandusky  l8l-4 

Plan  of  Campaign  subniitted  to  General  Wilkinson ••*...  186 

Correspondence  with  General  Wilkinson  op  ditto,..* 187 

Secretary  of  War  at  Sackett's  Harbour  to  General  Wilkinson,. ,  l99 

General  Harrison  to  Governor  Meigs  on  the  Campaign, > . . .  194 

4.           Commodore  Chauncey  attempts  to  bring  Sir  James  to  action,.    .  195 

Sai^ng  Master  Sheads' account  of  his  Capture, • *.  198 

General  Boyd— skirmishing  with  the  Enemy,.* •*.  199 

Captain  Dent— Capture  of  the  Dominico,  Nc **  201 

General  Boyd— skirmishing  with  the  enemy, *..***•***..•  801 

Septem.  Major  Beasler  defeated  and  killed  by  the  Indians, *  S02 

Lieutenant  M'CaU— Capture  of  the  Boxer, 501 

Commodore  M'Donough— Affiiirs  on  Lake  Champlain,. ..**..**.  205 

Commodore  Perry— Victory  on  Lake  Erie, c**.******.^*  205   , 

Commodore  Chauncey  chases  Sir  James  round  tiia  Lake, 308 

Citizens  of  Ontario  otttt  their  services,.... ..«y...^«*^.....««,****  209 

Gen.  P.  B.  Porter  ft  others  offer  their  services  ft  are  accepted,  2)0  &  8l3 
General  Wilkinson  on  Aflhirs  of  the  Campaign,.  .«.....,.•... .*«s     212 

General  Harrison's  arrival  at  Amberstburg,...  .....*.*.... >*..*•  214 

f                 Commodore  Firry  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 21g 

Governor  BtQUnrs  Orders  to  Oeiteval  JackMn, •  215 

V              Conriiodore  Chaiittcey->>AfM)ii  eti  Lake  Ontarii^**** ••  9^ 

General  Harrison's  General  Order, ..Mkii.'JV* 216 

General  Wilkinson  on  embarking  for  Sackett's  Hwrboii/;...***.*  219 

vl     ^   eoRMedore  Perry<ai4farris<)nV  arrival  at  MBld«nV*if«*»****t«it  898 


J 


■'%. 


['*■*,■ 


.■•' 


V.'. 


%■ 


,'  ■  ^  > 

^  m 

|«ptm,CMmB«iora  iUKlf«it«-Cr4iiM  UiIm  HcHh  Ink*. iMI 

GaMtal  HavfiMHi*!  PTeelanailoB  aad  OtMMl  OidM| tM 

Otl«k«ikCMMbo4«M  Cbauiia«7->chM*  «!»  •■<>  lUnBlib  wlihy  iir  Jmrnn,  Stt 

OcatrBl  MK!UiN*f  Adrtrcu  to  th*  PaltWH,  kc •• Sit 

ColOMtlSmUb  toColoml  Mkol, tM 

8«cNtury  of  W«r  authoilMk  tb*  daatriietlon  of  Nvvark, SS9 

CkMral  Hurtaon— Victory  ontte  TtamM,/. SM  SSS  199 

Ututoooat  NIcholioB— Capturtoftbo  Dort^ •• t29 

QoWiral  M*Artbur  rtipectiag  tho  IndlHM, • iSO 

GoMralM'Cluro— akirmiahwithtlMCiMiiijr, 290 

Conniodon  Channety  copturot  6  vetMto  and  chuMt  Sir  JamM^.  S3l 

TMuoiMh*!  Spoocb  to  Otatral  Proctor^.. S40 

Coloacl  W.  Scott  to  Qtnual  Wilkinton, S4l 

ColomI  Clark-*<7aptar«  mT  th«  EMBijr  at  Manlquoi, •#..•  S4* 

Gtneral  M'Clart*!  Adiir*n  to  the  Canadian*^ S4* 

Gancial  Ha»lHMi*s  Proclamation, 946 

Gf  noral  Proctor-i>aflkln{  cUmency  to  priwnort 246 

Central  HarrlMO  to  G«n«ral  Vioctnt,  In  roply  to  Proctor, ••«...  SSf 

iBeaeral  Vinetnt's  Reply  to  Oraeral  Harriton, S60 

General  Wilkloion  from  Grenadier  lalend, S47-t 

Secretary  of  War  to  General  Wilkinson  Drom  Denmark,*. •« MS 

Noveni.  General  Hampton— Battle  on  tbe  Cbataugay, ••• ^ 

General  Coflhe-«-Vlctory  o?er  the  Creeke, tS^ 

Commodore  CbaiMcey — Aflbirt  on  Lake  Ontario, 356 

General  WUkloton*e  Prodamatlon—ordere  Hampton  to  Join,,.*.  S57«8 

General  Hampton  refutea  to  join  WilUnaon, 8M 

Commodore  Lewie— Aflair  at  Long  Branch, tS9 

Governor  Chittenden's  Proclamation  ordering  tlie  MiliHa  home,.  t6l 

Answer  of  the  Oftcers  refusing  to  obey  him,.. « •  SdS 

GeDcral  Jackson— Battle  of  Talladega, XV4 

General  Boyd— Battle  of  Williamsbnrg ; S6< 

Jt'              Return  of  killed  and  wounded  In  ditto, • t74 

General  Wilkinson  on  General  Hampton  refiisisg  to  join,  and 

General  Order, S6t 

General  Hanison  at  Newark,  to  General  M*Ckire, S69 

General  Wilkinson*s  descent  of  the  St.  Lawrence, S70 

-—  ■■   ■■-■    ■ nn  General  Hampton's  Conduct, 274,S8S,286 

Colonel  Hurdy's  Report  on  ditto...... • 275, 

Treatment  of  Prisoners  at  Quebec, f79 

General  White— Victory  orer  the  Creeks, 28l 

;9i»^m.  General  Floyd— Ditto, 383 

->              General  Isard  to  General  Wilkinson, f S86 

General  M'Clure's  Orders  to  Captain  Leonard  and  Address, 286 

ComnMhlore  Decatur— respecting  the  Blue  Lights, IfT 

General  M*Clure— Ion  of  Fort  Niagara SOS 

<>eneral  Hall— >Buffalo  In  rains, 169 

Gtneral  A|<Clure's  Address  to  the  PabTie, 290 

1814. 

Jan'y-    Captain  Shaler— ftlvateer  Governor  Tompkins........ .......  SOt 

General  Claiborne— Battle  of  the  '*  Holy  Ground,*'..... t94 

'  General  Floyd— Victory  over  tbe  Creeks, i96 

Genierai  Jackson  to  Ccrionel  Wijlliam  Cocke, S9t 

■     '■    Battle  of  EmUckfkn  and  Talladega, S9S 

Captain  Dent — the  Alllgiatot  aad  Btifish  Boats,.. .......ii 305 

Febry  General  Floyd  to  General  Pinekney, 3o6 

-   General'Jackirtn  to  Colonel  William  Cocke,.. ......M*^*»..M..  307 

Commodore  Ri>dger»— Cruise  of  the  President, «....  107 

March.  Surgeon  Evans  of  Ute  Constitution— British  veracity,., .........  dlO 


■J 


"r^y^ 


^^•■ 


J«) 


A« 


# 


«.• 


,n 


CoIomI  ftutlM  mUI  C«M«U  ttdbiMf  Victory  aii  Um  TbAMci,..  aiS 

CoMSodon  P— atiir— Coaduet  of  CapMioCap*li ••••  91? 

QiMMitl  FlOikiMir«->Vlcter]r  omr  tb«  CrMka, |.. .•*•••'»•  3ln 

Om.  JacliMn— B«Ul«  9t  Um  HorafBho*  »nd  Addrer*  to  hto  in«y  319 

..i      to Ciovwo>r  BIOMHt, v  •«.  ^H 

ti«Mral  Coek«*«  OoBdiwt,  fkom  iUld*t  Llfa  oi'  J  *ckwn, aH^ 

Gaawal  WUkiuMa-rBtnte  of  La  Gel*, S2j 

ApM.    ColoMl  Wlllitm  Cock*  to  Ovnoiral  Jack«on, 317 

Ganara)  Jtokton  to  Oovernpr  Blouiii, 3f7 

Commodor*  Chauneey'-i^ritUh  attampt  to  bura  tlia  naw  Sht|l,t»  SM 

Captain  MorrU  capturai aiTeral  Vetpalit f ••••  329 

Captalu  warringtoa  and  Liautaaaat  jVlcholion— 42aptur*  oftba 

Eparvier, 329 

Majr*     CoraiQodora  Cbaiiacay-^riilp  Superior  Uunohad, «•  S3l 

Captain  Warringtoii—commendiDg  bit  Oftcerif***** 331 

Conmodore  Cbauncey— Battle  at  Oawegn, •••*•.  33t 

Oenaral  Brown  and  Colonal  MitcbeUU  account  of  ditto,.. ••.t>*  33) 

Commodore  M*Doiioufb— Battle  at  Otter  Creek, 335 

Commodore  Lewia— Oun-Boata  and  the  Cnenty,t. ..•*... .....••  334 

iaaa.   Com.  Chauncey  k  CaptWoQl«ey— ^ aUnot  Affair  at  Sandy  Creek  SS/ 

Commodore  Barney— Affair  at  St.  Leonardos  Creek,.. •  340 

Commpdor*  Chauncay^^apture  of  a  Qun-Boat,.*..*. •••  341 

0«n«»IP.  Stuart— Affalii  on  tba  Potomac, •*  342 

Commodor*  Barney**  Battle  with  two  rrigaUi, •  34j 

C^iqniodar*  Rodiwf— Affaif*  in  the  Delaware 343 

Colonel  Wadaworth—A"*)'  •*  St.  Leonardi, 343 

ialy.      Qen*ral  Brownie  General  Order  and  descent  on  Canada,.. ..•.«.  346 

Commodore  Porter— Cruiie  and  (bapture  of  the  E*mx, 347 

Captain  Gamble — Sequel  of  the  En«x*e  Cruise,.. •  362 

General  Brown — Battle  of  Chippewa  end  General  Order,.... 308  k  374 

Sai;ing  Maater  Sbead— Ion  of  the  Alligator, 37S 

Commodore  Chauncey— Schooner  burnt  at  Presque  Isle, 37S 

Captain  Blakely— Capture  of  the  Reindeer, 376 

Commodore  Rodger*— Affaire  in  the  Delaware, 377 

CaptainHull — Capture  of  a  British  Tender, 978 

General  Brown — skirmishing  at  Fort  George, S79 

• complains  of  the  Fleet  not  co-operating, 379 

■    Battle  of  Niagara  or  Bridgewater, 380 

NamesofOflcers  killed  and  wounded  in  ditto,. 80S 

Aagust  Mejor  Murgan~-Battle  at  Conjoeta  Creek, •  383 

General  Gaines  assumes  the  command  at  Fort  Erie......  •, 384 

Comodore  Chauncey— denies  agreeing  to  meet  General  Brown,  385 

'               complain))  oi' public  murmurs  about  his  Fleet,  38<i 

General  Gainea— Peath  o(  Major  Morgan, 389 

Defeat  of  the  British  at  Fort  Erie, 389  &  394 

G*n*ral  Ripley's  Report  of  ditto, 390 

Captain  Morris — ^Frigate  Adams  grounded........ 39J 

General  Winder— Battle  of  Bladensburg, *00 

Commodore**  Tingay  and  Barney  on  ditto.... ..•..,....    40t,4U£ 

Proclamation  of  Colonel  Nichols  of  the  British  Army,.^ 407 

BapMak  0*n*r«l  Huagerford— Affairs  on  the  Potomac, 409 

Commodore  Macdonough— battle  on  Lake  Cbamplain.......    410,413 

Captain  Blakely— Avon  aunk  by  the  Wasp,.....- 411 

General  Macomb— Battle  of  Platuburg, 4|.'> 

General  Smitli  and  Geaaral  Strieker— Attack  ou  Baluinore,..    420,427 

Colonel  Arniaitad^Defeoce  of  JFoit He.  iianry,...^.^'^^*. 439 

Gea«raU»cklMmanf  Maj.  LawrsQC*— 4*f*Bc*  of FoitlEawyar,    43M^ 
Qaascal  Btowa  on  Gaaaral  BroanaaBd^s  0*ndQct,.w.««;..»»..M«»  430 


,,■<•*. 


^■a: 


i 


n 


m 


*«.- 


W 


,fi<-' 


% 


M 


8«pMak  FrtaldMt  llMUaoa*altf«Nafs  to  Ooii|nM.*MM«... 3l 

OMMr«l  Dfowa  aad  Otmral  P.B.  PoiMi^-Sortto  •)  foirEri«|  444,4aiS 

Ooteb.  Captalo  i|pld— PrlvatMr  0«Mr*l  AiaMtroag.....** 445 

Oovtnior  Wrlg bi— Bruulhj  of  ih*  •nemy  tt  Cbapilco 449 

Oflotral  famn^Afkir  m  Lvom  CNtk, • 4M- 

MevtHi  OaiMral  JmImoih— PiDweMa  Uktn • •••  4Sl 

OMMrtl  JukMB— BatU*  btlow  Ntw  OtltUM».. • 4M 

1816. 

ia%Vy.  Oiaat  victory  of  N«wOrl«MM, «.•« «••..  4ft5,to  ^\ 

^    CemnodoN  Patt«noo*i  account  of  ditto,* « 4i 

» (lot  Ovafton— attack  OB  Pert  St.  PtilUpi ; 4«4 

oaral  Jackaon  to  tha  Trooptea  tka  rigm  bank,**...., 465 

Kav.  W.  Duboarf  to  Uanaral  Jackaon  and  hit  reply, ..*.. 4<i 

Matkhi'C  K.  Blaacbard—Ttaltan  in  Now  Orltaa% .*.  4ft 

Oanaral  Jaekton*a  AttawtU  to  Ma  Amy * ***..  409 

Oaptala  Mataiat— aflklr  at  point  PatN, 470 

Oaaeral  Jaekton*t  Addreta  and  Oanaral  Ordtra, *•  474,477 

Jtfiuary.CemnRMiora  Dacator-^Captar^  of  tba  Pratidant,.*...' 481 

ft^Mhrf  Oanaral  Wincbaatar  and  MaJ  Lawrane»— Loaa  of  Fort  Bowyor,  48t 

March.  Llantaaant  Wataon— Captaia  oftha  Argua, * 488 

Lt.  Tbonaa  Ap.  Cataaby  Jonaa— Gun  Boata  and  FlotUla,  *•**•..  •  4tT 

Oapuin  Biddla— Capture  oflha  Panfuin,.* • ***  480 

May.    Clapuln  Stawart— Capture  of  tha  Cyana  and  Lavant, ^  #* 

Jaot.    Captain  Blddla^aaeapa  from  a  8hlp  of  tha  Una, MM 

Eitraetfkom  the  Journal  of  an  ofllcar  oftha  Homat, .**••••  408'^^*  • 

Lt.  Nlcholton-- Cruelty  of  tba  onamy, *...*.* 488*%  r- 

Treaty  ofPeaca  with  Great  Britain. •*«.*•*•  808 


■^r    •   '-'S 


*,»* 


"ft 


W 


^ 


PRESIDENT'S  MESSAGE. 


June  1,  iSi^. 


7b  the  Senate  and  Home  of  BepresentaHveB  of  the  United  States, 


I  COMMUNICATE  to  Congress  certain  documents,  being  a  conti- 
nuation of  those  heretofore  laid  before  them,  on  the  subject  of 
our  affairs  with  Oreat  Britain. 

Without  goinjg  back  beyond  the  renewal,  in  1803,  of  the  war  ii) 
which  Great  Britain  is  engaged,  and  omitting  unrepaired  Mrronga 
of  inferior  magnitude,  the  conduct  of  her  government  presents  t^ 
series  of  acts  hostile  to  the  United  States  as  an  independent  an4 
neutral  nation. 

British  cruisers  have  been  in  the  continued  practice  of  vblating 
the  American  flag  on  the  great  highway  of  nations,  and  of  seizing 
and  carrying^  off  persons  sailing  under  it ;  not  in  the  exercise  of  a 
belligerant  right  founded  on  the  law  of  nations  against  an  enemy* 
but  ot  a  municipal  prerogative  over  British  subjects.  British  ju- 
risdiction is  thus  extended  to  neutral  vessels  in  a  situation  whera 
n^  laws  can  operate  but  the  law  of  nations  and  the  laws  of  th^ 
countrjr  to  which  the  vessels  belong ;  and  a  self-redress  is  assumed, 
which,  if  British  subjects  were  wrongfully  detained  and  alone 
concerned,  is  that  suDstitution  of  force,  for  a  resort  to  the  resf ' 
nonsible  sovereign,  which  falls  within  the  deftoition  of  war. 
Cquld  the  seizure  of  British  subjects  in  such  cases  be  regarded 
as  within  the,  exercise  of  a  belligerant  right,  the  acknowledged 
laws  of  war,^  which  forbid  an  article  of  captured  property  to  b? 
ailiudged  without  a  regular  investigation  before  a  competent 
triQUA^,  would  imperiously  demand  the  fairest  trial,  where  th^ 
9acred  rishts  of  perwqs  wen  at  iisue.  In  place  of  such  a  trials 
these  rights  are  sutject  t9  the  will  of  every  petty  c^yunaiidei'-  , 


"H- 


**.' 


-.,       1, 


# 


A 


■^ 


M 


ni: 


=-''^^.T-:-^3<.'fe-..--  - 


M:: 


10 


fe*-.'> 


?  I 


Hie  practice,  hence,  is  so  far  from  affecting  British  subjeetft 
alone,  that  under  the  pretext  of  searching  for  these,  thousands  of 
American  citizens,  under  the  safeguard  of  public  law,  and  of  their 
national  flag,  have  been  torn  from  their  country  and  from  every 
Ihin^  dear  to  them ;  have  been  dra^d  on  board  ships  of  war  of  a 
fcreij^  nation,  and  exposed,  under  the  severities  of  their  disci- 
pline, to  be  exiled  to  the  most  distant  and  deadly  climes,  to  risk 
their  lives  in  the  battles  of  their  oppressors,  and  to  be  the  me- 
lancholy inistraments  of  taking  away  those  of  their  own  brethren. 

Against  this  crying  enormity  which  Great  Britain  would  be  so 
prompt  to  avenge  if  committed  against  herself,  the  United  States 
have  in  vain  exhausted  remonstrances  and  expostulations.  And 
that  no  proof  might  be  wanting  of  their  conciliatory  dispositions, 
and  no  pretext  left  for  a  continuance  of  the  practice,  the  British 

gDvernment  v/as  formidly  assured  of  the  reaainess  of  the  United 
tates  to  enter  into  arrangements,  such  as  could  not  be  rejected, 
if  the  recovery  of  British  subjects  was  the  real  and  the  sole  object. 
The  communication  passed  without  effect. 
^  British  cruisers  have  been  in  the  practice  also  of  violating  the 
rights,  and  the  peace  of  our  coasts.  They  hover  over  and  harass 
our  departing  commerce.  To  the  most  insulting  pretensions  they 
have  added  the  most  lawless  proceedings  in  our  very  harbors ;  and 
have  wantonly  spilt  American  blood  within  the  sanctuary  of  our 
territorial  jurisdiction.  The  principles  and  rules  enforced  by  that 
nation,  when  a  neutral  nation,  against  armed  vessels  or  bellige- 
rants  hoveringnear  her  coasts,  and  disturbing  her  commerce,  are 
well  known.  When  called  on,  nevertheless, by  the  United  States, 
to  punish  the  greater  offences  committed  by  her  own  vessels,  her 
government  has  bestowed  on  their  commander  additional  marks 
of  honour  and  confidence. 

Under  pretended  blockades,  without  the  presence  of  an  ade> 
quate  force,  and  sometimes  without  the  practicability  of  applying 
one,  our  commerce  has  been  plunderea  in  every  sea ;  the  great 
itaples  of  OUF  country  have  been  cut  off  from  their  le^timate  mar- 
kets ;  and  a  destructive  blow  aimed  at  our  agricultural  and  mari- 
time interests.  In  a^;ravation  of  these  predatory  measures,  they 
have  beeA  consideredas  in  force  from  the  dates  of  their  notifica- 
tion ;  a  retrospective  effect  beine  thus  added,  as  has  been  done  in 
other  intportant  casec,  to  the  unlawfulness  of  the  course  pursued. 
And  to  render  the  outrage  the  more  signal,  these  mock  blockade! 
have  been  reiterated  ana  enforced  in  the  face  of  official  communi- 
cations from  the  British  government,  declaring  as  the  true  defini- 
tion of  a  legal  blockade,  "  That  particular  ports  must  be  actually 
invested,  and  previous  warning  given  to  vessels  bound  tc  them  not 
to  enter." 

Not  content  with  these  occasional  expedients  for  laying  waste 
our  neutral  trade,  the  cabinet  of  Great  Britain  resorted,  atlengtii, 
to  the  sweeping  system  of  blockades,  under  the  name  of  orders  in 
covBcil,  which  MB  been  moulded  and  managed,  aa  might  best  suit 


mi 


11 


its  political  views,  its  commercial  jealousies*  or  the  avidity  of  Bri- 
tish cruisers. 

To  our  remonstrances  against  the  complicated  and  transcend- 
ent injustice  of  this  innovation,  the  first  reply  was,  that  the  orders 
were  reluctantly  adopted  by  Great  Britain  as  a  necessary  retali- 
ation on  the  decrees  of  her  enemy  proclaiming  a  general  blockade 
of  the  British  isles,  at  a  time  when  the  naval  force  of  that  enemy 
dared  not  to  issue  from  his  own  ports.  She  was  reminded,  wi^- 
out  effect,  that  her  own  prior  blockades-  unsupported  by  an  ade- 

auate  naval  force,  actually  applied  and  continued,  were  a  bar  to 
lis  plea :  that  executed  edicts  against  millions  of  our  property 
could  not  be  a  retaliation  on  edicts,  confessedly  impossible  to  be 
executed :  that  retaliation,  to  be  just,  should  fall  on  the  party  set- 
ting the  guilty  example,  not  an  innocent  party,  which  was  not 
even  chareeable  with  an  acquiescence  in  it. 

When  deprived  of  this  flimsy  veil  for  a  prohibition  of  our  trade 
with  her  enemy,  by  the  repeal  of  his  prohibition  of  our  trade  with 
Great  Britain,  tier  cabinet,  instead  of  a  corresponding  repeal  or  & 
practical  discontinuance  of  its  orders,  formally  avowed  a  determi- 
nation to  persist  in  them  against  the  United  States,  until  the  mar- 
kets of  her  enemy  should  be  laid  open  to  British  products ;  thus 
asserting  an  obligation  on  a  neutral  }M>wer  to  require  one  belliee- 
rant  to  encourage,  by  its  internal  regulations,  the  tradeof  another 
belligerant ;  contradicting  her  o\rn  practice  towards  all  nations, 
in  peace  as  well  as  in  war ;  and  betraying  the  insincerity  of  those 
professions  which  inculcated  a  belief  tliat,  having  resorted  to  her 
orders  with  regret,  she  was  anxious  to  find  an  occasion  for  putting 
an  end  to  them. 

Abandoning  still  more  all  respect  for  tlie  neutral  rights  of  the 
United  States,  and  for  its  own  consistency,  the  British  government 
now  demands  as  prerequisites  to  a  repeal  of  its  orders,  as  they 
relate  to  the  United  States,  that  a  formality  should  be  observed  in 
the  repeal  of  the  French  decrees  no  wise  necessary  to  their  ter- 
mination, nor  exemplified  by  British  usage ;  and  that  the  French 
repeal,  besides  including  that  portion  of  the  decrees  which  oper- 
ates within  a  territorial  jurisdiction,  as  well  as  that  which  operates 
on  the  high  seas  against  the  commerce  of  the  United  States,  should 
not  be  a  single  special  repeal  in  relation  to  the  United  States,  but 
should  be  extended  to  whatever  other  neutral  nations,  unconnect- 
ed with  them,  may  be  affected  by  those  decrees.  And  as  an  addi- 
tional insult,  they  are  called  on  for  a  formal  disavowal  of  condi- 
tions and  pretensions  advanced  by  the  French  government,  for 
which  the  United  States  are  so  far  from  having  made  themselves 
responsible,  that,  in  official  explanations,  which  have  been  pub- 
lished to  the  world,  and  in  a  correspondence  of  the  American 
minister  at  London  with  the  British  minister  for  forei^  affairs, 
■uch  a  responsibility  was  explicitly  and  emphatically  disclaimed. 

It  has  become  indfeed  sufficiently  Certain,  thattiie  commerce  of 
the  United  States  ^  to  be  tftcriiteiid,  not  at  intefftving  with  ihf 


% 


*■,■ 


s. 


4^! 


* 


■^ 


:%, 


ii 

if 


^—^^  -"'^*H-'— -c^-y- ^ 


♦tI^ 


4* 


J 


Ii» 


belligetjint  rights  of  Great  Britain — ^not  at)  supplying  tlie  wants  of 
her  enemies,  which  she  herself  supplies ;  but  as  interfering  with 
the  Aionopoly  which  she  covets  for  Ker  own  commerce  and  navi- 
gation.   She  carries  on  a  waragunst  the  lawful  commerce  of  a 
friend,  that  she  may  the  better  carry  on  a  commerce  with  an  ene- 
my-~a  commerce,  polluted  by  the  forgeries  and  perjuries  which 
are>  for  the  most  part,  the  only  passpo^s  by  which  it  can  succeed. 
Anxious  to  make  every  experiment  short  of  the  last  resort  of 
injured  nations,  the  United  States  have  withheld  from  Great  Bri- 
tain, under  successive  modifications,  f,he  benefits  of  a  free  inter- 
course with  their  market,  the  loss  of  which  could  not  but  outweigh 
the  profits  accruing  from  her  restrictions  of  our  commerce  with 
other  nations.    And  to  entitle  these  experiments  to  the  more  \ 
favourable  consideration,  they  were  so  framed  as  to  enable  her  to 
place  her  adversary  under  the  exclusive  operation  of  them.    To 
theise  appeals  her  government  has  been  equally  inflexible,  as  if 
willing  to  make  sacrifices  of  every  sort,  rather  than  yield  to  the 
claims  of  justice,  or  to  renounce  the  errors  of  a  false  pride.    Nay, 
80  far  were  the  attempts  carried  to  overcome  the  attachment  of  the 
British  cabinet  to  its  unjust  edicts,  that  it  received  every  encou- 
ragement within  the  competency  of  the  executive  branch  of  our 
government,  to  expect  that  a  repeal  of  them  would  be  followed  br 
a  war  between  the  United  States  and  France,  unless  the  Frencn 
edicts  should   also  be  repealed.     Even    this   communication, 
although  silencing  forever  the  plea  of  a  disposition  in  the  United 
States  to  acquiesce  in  those  edicts,  originally  the  sole  plea  for 
them,  received  no  attention. 

If  no  other  proof  existed  of  a  predetermination  of  the  British 
government  against  a  repeal  of  its  orders,  it  might  be  found  in  the 
(Correspondence  of  the  minister  plenipotentiary  of  the  United 
States  at  London,  and  the  British  secretary  for  foreign  affairs, 
in  1810,  on  the  question  whether  the  blockade  of  May,  1806,  was 
considered  as  in  force,  or  as  not  in  force.  It  had  been  ascer- 
tained that  the  French  government,  which  urged  this  blockade  as 
the  ground  of  its  Berlin  decree,  was  willing,  in  the  event  of  its 
removal,  to  repeal  that  decree  j  which,  being  followed  by  alternate 
repeals  of  the  other  offensive  edicts,  might  abolish  the  whole  sys- 
tem on  both  sides.  This  inviting  opportunity  for  accomplishing 
an  object  so  important  to  the  United  States,  and  professed  so 
often  to  be  th  2  desire  of  botii  the  belligerants,  was  made  known 
to  the  British  ^vernment.  As  that  government  admits  that  att 
Itctual  application  of  an  adequate  force  is  necessary  to  the  exist- 
ifence  of  a  legal  blockade,  and  it  was  notorious,  that  if  such  4 
force  had  ever  been  applied,  its  long  discontinuance  had  annulled 
the  blockade  in  question,  there  could  be  no  sufficient  objection 
on  the  part  of  Great  Britain  to  a  formal  revocation  of  it ;  and 
no  ittki^nable  objection  to  a  declaration  of  the  fact  that  the 
blockade  did  Aot  exist  The  declaration  would  have  been  con- 
Bistelit  with  her  avowed  principles  of  j^lockade,  and  would  hate 


i; 


.# 


u 


so 


enabled  the  Unites'  ^ies  to  demand  from  Franee  the  pledged 
repeal  of  her  decree  ;  either  with  success,  in  which  case  th€ 
way  would  have  been  cpened  for  a  general  repeal  of  the  belli- 
gerant  edicts;  or  without  suc^sess,  in  which  case  the  United 
States  would  have  been  justified  in  turning  their  measures 
exclusively  against  France.  The  British  government  would, 
however,  neither  rescind  the  blockade,  nor  declare  its  non-exist<^ 
ence ;  nor  permit  its  non-existence  to  be  inferred  and  affirmed  by" 
the  American  plenipotentiary.  On  the  contrary,  6y  representing 
the  blockade  to  be  comprehended  in  the  orders  in  council,  the 
United  States  were  compelled  so  to  regard  it  in  their  subsequent 
proceedings. 

There  was  a  period  when  a  favourable  change  in  the  policy  of  the 
British  cabinet  was  justly  considered  as  established.  The  minis- 
ter plenipotentiary  of  his  Britannic  majesty  here  proposed  an 
adjustment  of  the  differences  more  immediately  endangering  the 
harmony  of  the  two  countries.  The  proposition  was  accepted  wi^ 
a  promptitude  and  cordiality  corresponding  with  the  invariable 

ftrofessions  of  this  government.  A  foundation  appeared  to  be  laid 
or  a  sincere  and  lasting  reconciliation.  The  prospect,  however, 
Suickly  vanished.  The  whole  proceeding  Was  disavowed  by  the 
tritish  government,  without  any  explanations  which  could  at  that 
time  repress  the  belief,  that  the  disavowal  proceeded  horn  a  spi- 
rit of  hostility  to  the  commercial  rights  and  prosperity  of  the 
United  States.  And  it  has  since  come  into  proof,  that  at  the  very 
moment  when  the  public  minister  was  holding  the  language  df 
friendship  and  inspiring  confidence  in  the  sincerity  of  the  nego- 
tiation with  which  he  was  charged,  a  secret  agent  of  his  govern- 
ment was  employed  in  intrigues,  having  for  their  olject  a  subver- 
sion of  our  ^vemment,  and  a  dismemberment  of  our  happy  union. 
In  reviewing  the  conduct  of  Great  Britain  toward  6ie  United 
States,  our  attention  is  necessarily  drawn  to  the  warfare  just  re- 
newed by  the  savages  on  one  of  our  extensive  frontiers :  a  war- 
fare which  is  known  to  spare  neither  sex  nor  age,  and  to  be  dis- 
tinguished by  features  peculiarly  shocking  to  humanity.  It  is 
difficult  to  account  for  the  activity  and  combinations  which 
have  for  some  time  been  developing  themselves  among  tribes  in 
the  constant  intercourse  with  British  traders  and  garrisons,, 
without  connecting  their  hostility  with  thatiftfiuence ;  and  with- 
out recollecting  the  authenticated  examples  of  such  interposi* 
tions  heretofore  furnished  by  the  officers  and  agents  of  thit 
government. 

Such  is  the  spectacle  of  injuries  and  indi^ities  which  havie 
been  heaped  on  our  country ;  and  such  the  crisis  which  its  unex- 
ampled forbearance  and  conciliatory  efforts  have  not  been  able 
to  avert.  It  might  at  least  have  been  expected,  that  an  enlig|ht- 
ened  nation,  if  less  urged  by  moral  oblinitions*  ot  invited  by 
friendly  dispositions  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  Itoula 
have  found,  m  its  trae  interest  alone,  a  sufficient  Itiotivetslre- 


i^ 


TU:if,'>mMWiifiiOiii'ir  rm 


* 


14 


f*!" 


!!*' 


w 


§pect  their  ri^ts  and  their  tranquillity  on  the  high  seas ;  that  au 
enlai^d  policy  would  have  favoured  that  free  and  general  cir- 
culation of  commerce,  in  which  the  British  nation  is  at  all  times 
interested,  and  which  in  times  of  war,  is  the  best  alleviation  of  its 
calamities  to  herself  as  well  as  the  other  belligerants ;  and  more 
especially  that  the  British  cabinet  would  not,  for  the  sake  of  a 

£recarious  and  surreptitious  intercourse  with  hostile  markets, 
ave  persevered  in  a  course  of  measures  which  necessarily  put  at 
hazard  the  invaluable  market  of  a  great  and  erowing  country, 
disposed  to  cultivate  the  mutual  advantages  oi  an  active  com- 
merce. 

Other  councils  have  prevailed.  Our  moderation  and  concilia- 
tion have  had  no  other  effect  than  to  encourage  perseverance,  and 
to  enlarge  pretensions.  We  behold  our  seafaring  citizens  still 
the  daily  victims  of  lawless  violence  committed  on  the  great 
common  and  highway  of  nations,  even  within  sight  of  the  country 
which  owes  them  protection.  We  behold  our  vessels,  freighted 
with  the  products  of  our  soil  and  industry,  or  returning  wiUi  the 
honest  proceeds  of  them,  wrested  from  their  lawful  destinations, 
confiscated  by  prize-courts,  no  longer  the  organs  of  public  law, 
but  the  instrument  of  arbitrary  edicts;  and  their  unfortunate 
crews  dispersed  and  lost,  or  forced  or  inveigled,  in  British  ports, 
into  British  fleets :  whilst  arguments  are  employed  in  support  of 
these  aggressions  which  have  no  foundation  but  in  a  principle 
equally  supporting  a  claim  to  regulate  our  external  commerce  in 
all  cases  whatsoever. 

We  behold,  in  fine,  on  the  side  of  Great  Britain,  a  state  of  war 
against  the  United  States ;  on  the  side  of  the  United  States,  a 
state  of  peace  towards  Great  Britain. 

Whether  the  United  States  shall  continue  passive  under  these 
progressive  usurpations,  and  these  accumulating  wrongs;  or, 
opposing  force  to  force  in  defence  of  their  natural  rights,  shall 
commit  a  just  cause  into  the  hands  of  the  Almighty  Disposer  of 
events,  avoiding  all  connections  which  might  entangle  it  in  the 
cotatests  or  views  of  other  powers,  and  preserving  ^  constant  rea- 
diness to  concur  in  an  honound>le  re-establishment  of  peace  and 
friendship,  is  a  solemn  question,  which  the  constitution  wisely 
confides  to  the  legislative  department  of  the  government.  In 
recommending  it  to  their  early  deliberations,  I  am  happy  in  the 
assurance  that  the  decision  will  be  worthy  the  enlightened  and 
patriotic  councils  of  a  virtuous,  a  free,  and  apowerful  nation. 

Having  presented  this  view  of  the  relations  of  the  United  States 
with  Great  Britain,  and  of  the  solemn  alternative  growing  out  of 
them,  I  proceed  to  remark,  that  the  communications  last  made  to 
Congress  on  the  subject  of  our  relations  with  France,  will  have 
shown,  thfc  since  the  revocation  of  her  decrees  as  they  violated 
the  neutral  rights  of  the  United  States,  her  government  has  au- 
tiiori^ed  iUe|^  captures,  by  its  privateers  and  public  ships,  and 
tbat  other  otttrages  have  been  practiced  on  our  vessels  and  our 


## 


^WF 


f 


M 


u 


# 


citizens.  ^  It  will  have  been  seen  also,  that  no  indemnity  had 
been  provided,  or  satisfactorily  pledged,  for  th")  extensive  spolia- 
tions committed  under  the  violent  and  retrospective  orders  of  the 
Fi'ench  government  against  the  property  of  our  citizens  seized 
within  me  jurisdiction  of  France.  I  abstain  at  this  time  from 
recommending  to  the  consideration  of  Congress  definitive  mea- 
sures with  respect  to  that  nation,  in  the  expectation,  that  the 
result  of  unclosed  discussions  between  our  minister  plenipoten- 
tiary at  Paris  and  the  French  government,  will  speedily  enable 
Congress  to  decide,  with  greater  advantage,  on  the  course  due  to 
the  nghts,  the  interests  and  the  honour  of  our  country. 


JAMES  MADISON. 


Washington,  June  1, 1812. 


3un«  ^,  iSi^. 

!I%0  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations,  to  whom  was  referred  the 
Message  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  of  thelsti^ 
June,  1812, 

REPORT— 

That,  after  the  experience  which  the  United  States  have 
had  of  the  great  injustice  of  the  British  government  towards  them, 
exemplified  by  so  many  acts  of  violence  and  oppression,  it  will  be 
more  difficult  to  justify  to  the  impartial  world  their  patient  for- 
bearance, than  the  measures  to  which  it  has  become  necessary  to 
resort,  to  avenge  the  wrongs,  and  vindicate  the  rights  and  honour 
of  the  nation.  Your  committee  are  happy  to  observe,  on  a  dis- 
passionate review  of  the  conduct  of  the  United  States,  that  they 
see  in  it  no  cause  for  censure. 

If  a  long  forbearance  under  injuries  ought  ever  to  be  consider- 
ed a  virtue  in  any  nation,  it  is  one  which  peculiarly  becomes  the 
United  States.  No  people  ever  cherished  it  with  greater  sinceri- 
ty and  zeal. 

But  tlie  period  has  now  arrived,  when  the  United  States  must 
support  their  character  and  station  among  the  nations  of  the  earth, 
or  subirit  to  the  most  shameful  degradation.  Forbearance  has 
ceased^  to  be  a  virtue.  War  on  the  one  side,  and  peace  on  the 
other,  is  a  situation  as  ruinous  as  it  is  disgraceful.  The  mad 
ambition,  the  lust  of  power,  and  commercial  avarice  of  Great 
Britain,  arrogating  to  herself  the  complete  dominion  of  the  ocean, 
and  exercising  over  it  an  unbounded  and  lawless  tyranny,  have 
left  to  neutral  nations  an  alternative  only,  between  the  base  sur- 
render of  their  rights,  and  a  manly  vindication  of  them.  Happily 
for  the  United  States,  their  destiny,  under  the  aid  .«f  Heaven,  it 


:     i 


% 


% 


I;    I 


li 


16 


in  their  own  hands.  Tlie  crisig  is  formidable  only  bj  their ioTtt 
of  peace.  As  soon  as  it  becomes  a  duty  to  relinquish  that  situa- 
tion* danger  disappears.  They  have  suffered  no  wrongs,  tiiey 
have  received  no  insult,  however  great,  for  which  they  cannot 
obtain  redress. 

More  than  seven  years  have  elapsed  since  the  commencement 
of  this  system  of  hostile  aggression  by  the  British  government,  on 
the  rights  and  interests  ofthe  United  States.  The  manner  of  its 
commencement  was  not  less  hostile,  than  the  spirit  with  which 
it  has  been  prosecuted.  The  United  States  have  invariably  done 
every  thing  in  their  power  to  preserve  the  relations  of  friendship 
with  Great  Britain.  Of  this  disposition,  they  gave  a  distinguished 
proof  at  the  moment  when  they  were  made  the  victims  of  an 
opposite  policy.  The  wrongs  of  the  last  war  had  not  been  for- 
gotten at  the  commencement  of  the  present  one.  They  warned 
us  of  dangers,  against  which  it  was  sought  to  provide.  As  early 
as  the  year  1804,  the  minister  of  the  United  States,  at  London, 
was  instructed  to  invite  the  British  government  to  enter  into  a 
negotiation  on  all  the  points  on  which  a  collision  might  arise  be- 
tween the  two  countries  in  the  course  of  the  war,  and  to  propose 
to  it  an  arran^ment  of  their  claims  on  fair  and  reasonable  condi- 
^ons.  The  invitation  was  accepted.  A  negotiation  had  com- 
menced and  was  depending,  and  nothing  had  occurred  to  excite 
a  doubt  that  it  would  not  terminate  to  the  satisfaction  of  both 
parties.  It  was  at  this  time,  and  under  these  circumstances,  that 
an  attack  was  made  by  surprise,  on  an  important  branch  of  the 
American  commerce,  which  affected  every  part  of  the  United 
States,  and  involved  manv  of  their  citizens  in  ruin. 

The  comnierce  on  which  this  attack  was  so  unexpectedly  made, 
was  between  the  United  States  and  the  colonies  of  France,  Spain, 
and  other  enemies  of  Great  Britain.  A  commerce  just  in  itself; 
sanctioned  by  the  example  of  Great  Britain  in  regard  to  the  trade 
with  her  own  colonies ;  sanctioned  by  a  solemn  act  between  the 
two  governments  in  the  last  war,  and  sanctioned  by  the  practice 
ofthe  British  government  in  the  present  war,  more  than  two  years 
having  then  elapsed,  without  any  interference  with  it 

The  injustice  of  this  attack  could  only  be  equalled  by  the  ab- 
surdity of  the  pretext  alleged  for  it.  It  was  pretended  by  the 
British  government,  that  in  case  of  war,  her  enemy  had  no  ri^t 
to  modify  its  colonial  regulations,  so  as  to  mitigate  the  caiamitiet 
•f  war  to  the  inhabitants  of  its  colonies.  This  pretension,  pecu- 
liar to  Great  Britain,  is  utterly  incompatible  with  the  rights  of 
sovereignty  in  every  independent  state.  If  we  recur  to  the  well 
established  and  universally  admitted  law  of  nations,  we  shall  4nd 
no  sanction  to  it  in  that  venerable  code.  The  sovereignty  of 
every  state  is  co-extensive  with  its  dominions,  and  cannot  Maoro- 
cated  or  curtailed  in  its  rights,  as  to  any  part,  except  by  conquest. 
Neutral  nations  have  a  right  to  every  .port  of  eitheir  helligerant, 
which  is  not  legally  blociuided,  and  in  all  articles  which  are  not 


%i\\.-:»  W^ 


17 


••Btraband  of  war.  fluch  is  the  absurdity  of  this  pretension,  thai 
your  committee  are  aware,  especially  after  the  able  manner  in 
which  it  has  been  heretofore  renited  and  exposed,  that  they  would 
offer  an  insult  to  the  understanding  of  the  house,  if  they  entarved 
on  it;  and  if  any  thing  could  add  to  the  high  sense  of  the  injus- 
tice of  the  British  government  in  this  transaction,  it  would  be  tilt 
contrast  which  her  conduct  exhibits  in  regard  to  this  trade,  and  ia 
reawrd  to  a  similar  trade  by  neutrals  with  their  own  colonies.  It 
is  known  to  tiie  world,  that  Great  Britain  regulates  her  own  trade 
in  war  and  in  peace,  at  home  and  in  her  colonies,  as  she  finds  for 
her  interest-^at  in  war  she  relaxes  the  restraints  of  her  colo- 
nial system  in  favour  of  the  colonies,  and  that  it  never  wag 
sunested  that  she  had  not  a  ri^ht  to  do  it ;  or  that  a  neutral,  in 
taung  advantage  of  the  relaxation,  violated  a  bellig^rant  ri^t  of 
her  enemy.  But  with  great  Britain  every  thing  is  lawful.  It 
is  only  in  a  trade  with  her  enemies  that  the  United  States  can 
do  wrong :  with  them  all  trade  is  unlawful. 

In  the  rear  1793,  an  attack  was  made  by  the  British  govern- 
ment on  tne  same  branch  of  our  neutral  trade,  which  hacT nearly 
involved  the  two  countries  in  war.  That  difference,  however,  was 
amicably  accommodated.  The  pretension  was  withdrawn,  and 
reparation  made  to  the  United  States  for  the  losses  which  they 
had  suffered  by  it.  It  was  fair  to  infer,  from  that  arrangement, 
that  the  commerce  was  deemed  by  the  British  government  lawful, 
and  that  it  would  not  be  again  disturhnd. 

Had  the  British  government  been  resolved  to  contest  this 
trade  with  neutrals,  it  was  due  to  the  character  of  the  Britidi 
nation  that  the  decision  should  be  made  known  to  the  govern- 
ment of  tiie  United  States.  The  existence  of  a  negotiation 
which  had  been  invited  by  our  ^vemment,  for  the  purpose  of 
preventing  differences  by  an  amicable  arrangement  of  their  res- 
pective pretensions,  gave  a  strong  claim  to  the  notification,  while 
it  affmrded  the  fairest  opportunity  for  it.  But  a  vei  j  different 
policy  animated  tiie  then  cabinet  of  England.  Generous  senti- 
ments were  unknown  to  it  The  liberal  confidence  and  friendly 
overtures  of  the  United  States  were  taken  advanttte  of  to  ensnare 
them.  Steady  to  its  purpose,  and  inflexibly  hostile  to  this  coun- 
tnr,  the  British  government  calmly  looked  forward  to  the  moment 
when  it  mi^^t  give  the  most  deadly  wound  to  our  interests.  A 
trade,  jnst  in  itself,  which  was  secured  by  so  many  strong  and 
•acred  |dedges,  was  considered  safe.  Our  citizens,  with  their 
■sual  industry  and  enterprise,  had  embarked  in  it  a  vast  propor- 
tion of  their  shipping,  and  <^  their  capital,  which  were  at  set, 
under  no  other  protection  than  the  law  of  nations,  and  the  confi- 
dence which  they  reposed  in  the  justice  and  friendship  of  tho 
British  nation.  At  this  period  the  unexpected  blow  was  given. 
Many  of  our  vessels  were  seized,  carried  into  port,  and  c<m- 
demned  by  a  tribunal,  which,  while  it  professes  to .  respoet  tho 

taw  of  natMiis,  obeys  the  nuuuUta  «f  ita  «wn  govttejlp*  kkMh 

3  .  -^  . 


i 


I 


':m 


% 


V! 


!■ ; 


i;i> 


4 


13 


pontion  to  all  law.  Hundreds  of  other  vessels  were  driven  firom 
the  ocean,  and  the  trade  itself,  in  a  great  measure,  suppressed. 
The  effect  produced  by  this  attack  on  the  lawful  commerce  of  the 
United  States,  was  such  as  mi^t  have  been  expected  from  a  vir- 
tuous, independent,  and  highly  injured  peonle.  But  one  sentiment 
pervaded  the  whole  American  nation.  No  local  interests  were 
regarded  ;  no  sordid  motives  felt.  Without  lodiing  to  the  parts 
which  suffered  most,  the  invasion  of  our  rights  was  considered  a 
common  cause,  and  from  one  extremitv  of  our  union  to  the  other, 
was  heard  the  voice  of  an  united  people,  calling  on  their  govern- 
ment to  avenge  their  wrongs,  and  vindicate  the  rights  and 
honour  of  the  country. 

From  this  period  the  British  ^vemment  has  gone  on  in  a  con- 
tinued encroachment  on  tlie  rights  and  interests  of  the  United 
States,  disregarding;  in  its  course,  in  many  instances,  obligations 
which  have  heretorore  been  helid  sacred  by  civilized  nations. 

In  May,  1806,  the  whole  coast  of  the  continent,  from  the  Elbe 
to  Brest  inclusive,  was  declared  to  be  in  a  state  of  blockade.^  By 
this  act,  the  well  established  principles  of  the  law  of  nations, 

Erinciples  which  have  served  for  ages  as  guides,  and  fixed  the 
oundary  between  j^e  rights  of  belugerants  and  neutrals,  were 
violated :  by  the  law  of  nations,  as  recognized  by  Great  Britain 
herself,  no  blockade  is  lawful,  unless  it  be  sustained  by  the  ap- 
plication of  an  adequate  force,  and  that  an  adequate  force  was 
applied  to  this  blockade,  in  \isk  full  extent,  ought  not  to  be  pretended. 
Whether  Great  Britain  was  able  to  maintain,  legally,  so  exten- 
sive a  blockade,  considering  the  war  in  which  she  is  engaged, 
requiring  such  extensive  naval  operations,  is  a  question  which  it 
is  not  necessary  at  this  time  to  examine.    It  is  sufficient  to  be 
known,  that  such  force  was  not  applied,  and  this  is  evident  from 
the  terms  of  the  blockade  itself,  by  which,  comparatively,  an 
Inconsidendble  portion  of  the  coast  only  was  declared  to  be  in  a 
state  of  strict  and  rigorous  blockade.    The  objection  to  the  mea- 
sure is  not  diminished  by  that  circumstance.    If  the  force  was 
not  applied,  the  blockade  was  unlawful,  from  whatever  cause  the 
failure  might  proceed.    The  belligerant  who  institutes  the  block- 
ade, cannot  iu>solve  itself  from  the  oblieation  to  apply  the  force 
under  any  pretext  whatever.    For  a  belligerant  to  relat  a  block- 
ade, which  it  could  not  maintain,  with  a  view  to  alMolve  itself 
from  the  obligation  to  maintun  it,  would  be  a  refinement  in  in- 
justice, not  less  insulting  to  the  understanding  tiian  repugnant 
to  the  law  of  nations.    To  claim  merit  for  tiie  miticatiim  of  an 
evil,  which  the  party  either  had  not  the  power,  or  found  it  inconve- 
ment  to  inflict,  would  be  a'new  mode  of  encroaching  on  neutral 
rights.    Your  committee  think  it  just  to  remark,  tiiat  this  act  of 
the  British  government  does  not  appear  to  have  been  ad<q»ted  in 
the  sense  in  whidi  it  has  been  since  construed.    On  considera- 
tion of  all  the  circumstances  attending  the  measure,  and  particu- 
larly thf, character  (^  the  distinguished  statesman  who  announced 


# 


» 


'ff' 


h 


it,  we  are  persuaded  that  it  was  conceived  in  a  spirit  of  concilia- 
tion, and  intended  to  lead  to  an  accommodation  of  all  differences 
between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain.  His  death  disap- 
pointed that  hope,  and  the  act  has  since  become  subservient  to 
other  purposes.  It  has  been  made  bv^  his  successors  a  pretext 
for  that  vast  system  of  usurpation,  which  has  so  long  oppressed 
and  harrassed  our  commerce. 

The  next  act  of  the  British  government  which  claims  our 
attention,  is  the  order  of  council  of  January  7,  1807,  by  which 
neutraJ  powers  are  prohibited  trading  from  one  port  to  another 
of  France  or  her  allies,  or  any  other  country  with  which  Great 
Britain  might  not  freelv  ^rade.  By  this  order  the  pretension  of 
England,  heretofore  'claimed  bv  every  other  power,  to  prohibit 
neutrals  disposing;  of  parts  of  tneir  cargoes  at  different  ports  of 
the  same  enemy,  is  revived,  and  with  vast  accumulation  or  injury. 
Every  enem;|r,  however  great  the  number  or  distant  from  each 
other,  is  considered  one,  and  the  like  trade  even  with  powers  at 
peace  with  England,  who  from  motives  of  policy  had  excluded 
or  restrained  her  commerce,  was  also  prohibited.  In  this  act  the 
British  government  evidently  disclaimed  all  regard  for  neutral 
rights.  Aware  that  the  measures  authorized  by  it  could  find  no 
pretext  in  any  bellieerant  right,  none  was  uiged.  To  prohibit 
the  sale  of  our  produce,  consisting  of  innocent  articles,  at  any 
port  of  a  belligerant,  not  blockaded,  to  consider  every  belligerant 
as  one,  and  suoject  neutrals  to  the  same  restraints  vrith  all,  as  if 
there  was  but  one,  were  bold  encroachments.  But  to  restrain  or 
in  any  manner  interfere  with  our  commerce  with  neutral  nations 
with  whom  Great  Britain  was  at  peace,  and  against  whom  she 
had  no  justifiable  cause  of  war,  for  the  sole  reason  that  they 
restrained  or  excluded  from, their  ports  her  commerce,  was  utter- 
ly incompatible  with  the  pacific  relations  subsisting  between  the 
two  countries. 

We  proceed  to  bring  into  view  the  British  order  in  council  of 
November  11th,  1807,  which  superseded  every  other  order,  and 
consummated  that  system  ot  hostility  on  the  commerce  of  the 
United  States  which  has  been  since  so  steadily  pursued.  By  this 
order  all  France  and. her  allies,  and  every  other  country  at  war 
with  Great  Britain,  or  with  which  she  was  not  at  war,  from  which 
the  British  flas  was  excluded,  and  all  the  colonies  of  her  enemies, 
were  suliject^  to  the  same  restrictions  as  if  they  were  actually 
blockaded  in  the  most  strict  and  rigorous  manner,  and  all  trade 
in  articles  the  produce  and  manufacture  of  the  sud  countries  and 
colomes,  and  the  vessels  engaged  in  it,  were  subjected  to  capture 
and  condemnation  as  lawful  prize.  To  this  order  certain  ex- 
ceptions were  made,  which  we  forbear  to  notice,  because  they 
were  not  adopted  from  a  regard  to  neutral  ridits,  but  were  dic- 
tated by  policy  to  promote  &e  commerce  of  England,  and  so  far 
as  they  related  to  neutral  powers,  were  said  to  emannte  fkwn  the 
clemency  of  the  British  government 


A>| 


'% 


* 


M 


■^^ 


**m  in»» 


;C;r 


•0 


I 


m 


It  woald  be  luperflttoiii  in  your  committee  to  tttte*  tiiet  by 
tiiit  order  the  British  mvernment  declared  direci  and  poeitive 
war  acainet  the  United  Statei.  The  dominion  of  the  ocean  waa 
eomp^tely  uiarped  bj  it,  all  commerce  forbidden,  and  every  flag 
driven  from  it,  or  subjected  to  capture  and  condemnation,  which 
did  notsulraerve  the  policy  of  the  British  government  by  paving 
it  a  tribute  and  sailing  under  its  sanction.  From  this  penodf  the 
United  States  have  incurred  the  heaviest  losses  and  most  morti- 
fying  humiliations.  They  have  borne  tiie  calamities  of  war  with- 
out retmrting  them  on  its  authors. 

So  far  your  committee  has  presented  to  the  view  of  the  house 
the  agressions  which  have  been  committed  under  the  authority 
of  theuritish  government  on  the  commerce  of  the  United  States. 
We  will  now  proceed  to  other  wrongs,  which  have  been  still  more 
leverely  felt  Among  these  is  the  impressment  of  our  seamen,  » 
l^ctice  which  has  been  unceasingly  maintained  by  Great  Britain 
m  the  wars  to  which  she  has  been  a  party  since  our  revolution. 
Tour  committee  cannot  convey,  in  adequate  terms,  the  deep  sense 
which  tiiey  entertain  of  the  injustice  and  oppression  of  this  pro- 
ceeding. Under  the  pretext  of  impressing  British  seamen,  our 
fsUow-citizens  are  seized  in  British  ports,  on  the  high  seas,  and 
in  every  other  ouarter  to  which  the  British  power  extends,  are 
taken  on  bond  British  men  of  war  and  compelled  to  serve  there 
M  British  subjects.  In  this  mode  our  citizens  are  wantonly 
snatched  from  their  country  and  their  families,  deprived  of  their 
libertv  and  doomed  to  an  ignominious  and  slavish  bondage,  com- 
pelled to  fi|^t  the  battles  of  a  foreign  country,  and  often  to  perish 
>in  them.  Our  flag  has  siven  them  no  protection ;  it  has  been 
iinceaduigly  violated,  ana  our  vessels  exposed  to  danger  by  the 
loss  of  the  men  taken  from  them.  Your  committee  nMd  not  re- 
mark, that  while  this  practice  is  continued,  it  is  imnosnble  for 
the  United  States  to  consider  themselves  an  independent  nation. 
Kvery  new  case  is  a  new  proof  of  their  degradation.  Its  continu- 
ance is  the  more  unjustindile,  because  tne  United  States  have 
re]>eitedly  proposed  to  the  British  government  an  arrangement 
which  would  secure  to  it  the  controul  of  its  own  people.  An 
exemption  of  the  cittzens  of  the  United  States  from  this  degrad- 
ing oppression,  and  their  flag  from  violation,  is  all  that  they liave 
aottflht 

"niis  lawless  waste  of  our  trade,  and  equally  unlawful  im- 
pressment of  our  seamen,  have  been  much  aggravated  by  the 
insults  and  indignities  attending  them.  Under  the  pretext  of 
Uockading  the  harbours  of  France  and  her  allies,  British  squad- 
rons have  been  stationed  on  our  own  coast,  to  watch  and  annoy 
eur  own  trade.  To  give  effect  to  the  blockade  of  European  port8« 
tiie  ports  and  harbours  of  the  United  States  have  been  blockaded. 
In  executing  these  orders  of  the  British  government,  or  in  Obey- 
ing 1^  *pni  which  was  known  to  animate  it,  the  commanders 
ertiiese  squadrons  have  encroached  on  «v  jurisdiction,  seized 


•I 

•nrTeMelSi  and  carried  into  eflTect  impraiimenta  within  our 
limitd.  and  done  other  acts  of  great  ii^justice,  Tiolence  and  op- 
prer  iOn.  The  United  States  have  teen,  with  mingled  indigna- 
tion and  surprise,  that  these  acts,  instead  of  procuring  to  the 
perpetrators  the  punishment  due  to  unauthorized  crimes,  have 
not  failed  to  recommend  them  to  the  favour  of  their  sovemment* 

Whether  the  British  government  has  contributed  by  activt 
measures  to  excite  against  us  the  hostility  of  the  savage  tribes 
on  our  frontiers,  your  committee^  are  not  disposed  to  occupy 
much  time  in  investicatine.  Certain  indications  of  general  noto- 
riety may  supply  the  piace  of  authentic  documents ;  though 
these  have  not  bieen  wanting  to  establish  the  fact,  in  some  in- 
•tances.  It  is  known  that  symptoms  of  British  hostility  towards 
the  United  States  have  never  failed  to  produce  correspondinjt 
symptoms  among  those  tribes. .  It  is  also  well  known,  that  on  all 
such  occasions,  abundant  supplies  of  the  ordinary  munitions  of 
war  have  been  afforded  by  tne  acents  of  British  commercial 
companies,  and  even  from  British  garrisons,  wherewith  they 
were  enabled  to  commence  that  system  of  sava^  warfare  on  our 
frontiers,  which  has  been  at  all  times  indiscriminate  in  its  effect, 
on  all  ages,  sexes,  and  conditions,  and  so  revolting  to  humanity. 

Your  committee  would  be  much  gratified  if  they  could  close 
here  the  detail  of  British  wrongs;  but  it  is  their  duty  to 
recite  another  act  of  still  greater  malignity,  than  any  of  tiiose 
which  have  been  already  brought  to  your  view.  The  attempt  to 
dismember  our  union  and  overthrow  our  excellent  constitution, 
by  a  secret  mission,  the  object  of  which  was  to  foment  discontents 
and  excite  insurrection  acainst  the  constituted  authorities  and 
laws  of  the  nation,  as  lately  disclosed  by  the  acent  employed  in 
it,  affords  full  |Nroof  that  there  is  no  bound  to  the  hostility  of  the 
British  Kovemment  towards  the  United  States— no  act,  however 
ni^ustifiable,  which  it  would  not  commit  to  accomplish  their 
ruin.  This  attempt  excites  the  greater  horror  from  the  consi- 
deration that  it  was  made  while  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain  were  at  peace,  and  an  amicable  negotiation  was  depend- 
ing between  them,  for  the  accommodation  of  their  differences, 
through  public  ministers  rM|;ttlarly  authorized  for  the  purpose. 

The  United  States  have  beheld,  with  unexampled  forbearance, 
this  continued  series  of  hostile  encroachments  on  tiieir  rights 
and  interests,  in  the  hope,  that,  yielding;  to  the  force  of  friendly 
remonstrances,  often  repeated,  the  Bntiih  government  mig^t 
adopt  a  more  just  policy  towards  them ;  but  tiiat  hope  no  lon|;er 
exists.  They  have  also  weired  impartially  the  reasons  which 
have  been  ui^^d  by  the  Bntidi  gova*nment  in  vindication  of 
those  encroacmnents,  and  found  in  them  neither  justificati<m  nor 
apology. 

The  British  government  has  alleged,  in  vindication  df  the 
orders  in  councu,  that  they  were  resorted  to  as  a  retaliation  on 
France,  for  similar  aggressions  committed  by  her  on  our  neutral 


% 


% 


m 


M 

trade  with  Britiih  doniinioni.    But  how  hat  this  plea  been  sup- 

Eorted  ?  The  datei  of  Britiih  and  French  aggreuioni  are  well 
nown  to  the  world.  Their  origin  and  progreaihave  been  marked 
with  too  wide  and  destructive  a  waste  of  the  property  of  our 
fellow-citizens,  to  have  been  forgotten.  The  decree  of  Berlin 
of  November  21,  1806,  wu  the  first  acgression  of  France  in  the 
present  war.  EJKhteen  months  haa  then  elapsed  after  the 
attack  made  bj  Great  Britain  on  our  neutral  trade  with  the 
colonies  of  France  and  her  allies,  and  six  months  from  the  date 
of  the  proclamation  of  Mav,  1806.  Even  on  the  seventh  of 
January,  1807,  the  date  of  tne  first  British  order  in  council,  so 
short  a  term  had  elapsed,  after  the  Berlin  decree,  that  it  was 
hardly  possible  that  the  intelligence  of  it  should  have  reached  the 
United  States.  A  retaliation  which  is  to  produce  its  effect,  by 
cnerating  on  a  neutral  (rawer,  oucht  not  to  be  resorted  to,  *tili 
the  neutral  had  justified  it  by  a  culpable  acquiescence  in  the  un- 
lawful act  ol  the  other  belligerant.  It  ought  to  be  delayed  until 
after  sufficient  time  had  been  allowed  to  the  neutral  to  remon- 
strate against  the  measures  complained  of,  to  receive  an  answer 
and  to  act  on  it,  which  had  not  been  done  in  the  present  instance ; 
and  when  the  order  of  November  11,  was  issued,  it  is  well 
known  that  a  minister  of  France  had  declared  to  the  minister 
plenipotentiary  of  the  United  States  at  Paris,  that  it  was  not 
intended  that  the  decree  of  Berlin  should  apply  to  the  United 
States.  It  is  equally  well  knoMm,  that  no  Amencan  vessel  had  then 
been  condemned  under  it,  or  Bm/Mtfi  been  made,  with  which 
the  British  government  was  acquainted.  The  facts  prove  incon- 
testibly,  that  the  measures  of  France,  however  i-mustifiable  in 
themselves,  were  nothine  more  than  a  pretext  for  those  of  Eng- 
land. And  of  the  insufficiency  of  that  pretext,  ample  proof  has 
already  been  afforded  by  the  British  government  itself,  and  in 
the  most  impressive  form.  Although  it  was  declared  that  the 
ordere  in  council  were  retaliatory  on  France  for  her  decrees,  it 
was  ''^so  declared,  and  in  the  ordera  themselves,  that  owing  to 
the  superiority  of  the  British  navy,  by  which  the  fleets  of  France 
and  her  allies  were  confined  within  their  ovm  ports,  th"  French 
decrees  were  considered  only  as  empty  threats. 

It  is  no  justification  of  the  wrongb  of  one  power,  thai  tUv  !U:'; 
were  committed  by  another,  nor  oueht  the  fact,  if  tr  .  iih<<3 
been  urged  by  either,  as  it  could  afford  no  proof  of  its  love  of 
justic  J,  of  its  magnanimity,  or  even  of  its  courage.  It  is  more 
worthy  the  ^mvemment  of  a  great  nation,  to  relieve  than  to  assail 
the  injured.  Nor  can  a  repetition  of  the  wrongs  bv  another  power 
repair  the  v?'>:  ^ed  ri^ts  or  wounded  honour  of  the  injured  party. 
An  utter  in&biiit'^  »1 .  '.e  to  n*  ist,  would  justify  a  quiet  surrender 
of  our  right:  av  A  dt^ading  f^ubmission  to  the  will  of  othera.  To 
that  conditif  a  th^  Jnited  Sti<tes  are  not  reduced,  nor  do  they  fear 
it  That  t!.^y  ever  consented  to  discuss  with  either  power  tiie 
ibiscoiiduct  of  the  other,  is  a  proof  of  their  love  of  peace,  of  their 


31 


19 

RUH^^ation,  and  of  the  hope  which  tHej  itill  indulced,  that 
frieuilly  appeals  to  j[u»t  and  generous  »eH(i'n»»t>i  would  not  be 
maHe  to  them  in  vain.  But  the  motive  wan  nuataken,  if  thiMr 
forbearance  was  imputed,  either  to  the  wait  of  ajugt  aensibility 
to  their  wrongs,  or  a  determinatiuii,  if  suitable  i-^dress  wns  not 
obtained,  to  resent  them.  The  time  has  now  arrived  wh#^n  this 
system  of  reasoning  must  cease.  It  woul  d  be  insulting  to  r«poat 
it  It  would  be  degrading  to  hear  it.  The  United  States  must 
act  as  an  independent  nation,  and  assert  their  rirhU  and  avenp 
their  ivttngt,  accordinc  to  their  own  estimate  ot  them,  with  the 
n*r  Y  wi.u  commits  them,  holding  it  responsible  for  its  own 
nui^  kc  Is.  .nmitigated  by  those  of  another. 

I«\)r  the  difference  madfe  between  Great  Britain  and  Prance,  hj 
ty  .application  of  the  non-importation  act  a^inst  England  only, 
the  motive  has  been  already  too  often  explained,  and  .is  too  well 
known  to  reoulre  further  illustration.  In  the  commercial  restric- 
tinne  to  whicn  the  United  States  resorted  as  an  evidence  of  thetr 
sensibility,  and  a  mild  retaliation  of  their  wronn,  they  invariably 
placed  both  powers  on  the  same  footing,  holding  out  to  each  <n 
respect  to  itself,  the  same  accommodation,  in  case  it  accepted  tae 
condition  offered,  and  in  respect  to  the  other,  the  same  restnunt, 
if  it  refused.  Had  the  British  government  confirmed  the  arrange 
ment  which  was  entered  into  with  the  British  minister  in  1809, 
and  France  maintained  her  decrees  with  France  would  the 
United  States  have  had  to  resist,  with  the  firmness  belonginc  to 
their  character,  the  continued  violation  of  their  rights.  The 
committee  do  not  h^itate  to  declare  that  France  has  jgreatly  in^ 
jured  the  United  Stat^,  and  that  satisfactory  reparation  has  not 
yet  been  made  for  many  of  those  injuries.  But  that  is  a  concern 
which  tiie  United  States  will  look  to  and  settle  for  themselves. 
The  high  character  of  the  American  people,  is  a  sufficient  pledge 
to  the  world,  that  they  will  not  fail  to  settle  it,  on  conditions 
which  they  have  a  right  to  claim 

More  recentljr  the  true  policy  of  the  British  government 
towards  the  United  Staies  has  been  completdy  unfolded.  It 
has  been  publicly  declared  by  those  in  power  that  the  orders  in 
council  should  n»t  be  repealed  until  the  French  government  had 
revoked  all  its  internal  restraints  on  the  British  commerce,  and 
that  the  trade  of  the  United  States  with  France  and  her  ailies, 
should  be  prohibited  until  Great  Britain  was  allowed  to  trade  with 
them.  By  this  declaration  it  appearsfUhat  to  satisfy  the  preten- 
sions of  oie  Britiah  government,  tiie  United  States  must  join 
Great  Britain  in  the  war  with  France,  and  prosecute  the  war, 
until  France  should  be  subdued,  for  mthout  her  subjugation,  it 
were  in  vain  to  presume  on  such  a  concession.  The  hostility  of 
the  British  government  to  these  states  has  been  still  further  dis- 
closed. It  nasbeen  ma<le  manifest  that  the  United  States  are 
considered  b^  it  as  the  commercial  rival  of  Great  Britain,  and  that 
their  prosperity  and  growth  are  incompatible  mtfa  her  welfare. 


:'vV 


!.  •¥■ 


li.'ia 


'ill 

n 


24 

When  all  tiiese  circumstluices  are  taken  into  consideratuin. 
it  is  impossible  for  your  committee  to  doubt  the  motives  which 
hare  governed  the  British  ministry  in  all  its  measures  towards 
the  United  States  sinjce  the  year  1805.  Equally  is  it  impossible 
to  doubt,  loncer,  the  course  which  the  United  States  ought  to 
pursue  towards  Great  Britain. 

From  this  view  of  the  multiplied  wrongs  of  the  British  govern- 
ment since  the  commencement  of  the  present  war,  it  must  be 
evident  to  the  impartial  world,  that  the  contest  which  is  now 
forced  on  f^  ^  United  States,  is  radically  a  contest  for  their 
sovereignty  id  independence.  Vour  committee  will  not  enlarge 
on  any  of  uie  injuries,  however  great,  which  have  had  a  transitory 
effect.  They  wish  to  call  the  attention  of  the  house  to  those  of  a 
permanent  nature  only,  which  intrench  so  deeply  on  onr  most  im- 
portant rights,  and  wound  so  extensively  andf  vitally  our  best  in- 
terests, as  could  not  fail  to  deprive  the  United  States  of  the  princi- 
pal advantages  of  their  revolution,  if  submitted  to.  The  controul  of 
our  commerce  by  Great  Britain,  in  regulating  at  pleasure  and  ex- 
pelling it  almost  from  the  ocean ;  the  oppressive  manner  in  which 
these  regulations  have  been  carried  into  effect,  by  seizing  and  con- 
fiscating such  of  our  vessels  with  their  cargoes,  as  were  said  to 
have  violated  her  edicts,  often  without  previous  warning  of 
their  danger ;  the  impressment  of  our  citizens  from  on  Iward 
our  own  vessels,  on  the  h^  seas,  and  elsewhere,  and  hold- 
ing them  in  bondage  until  it  suited  the  convenience  of  their 
oppressors  to  deliver  them  up,  are  encroachments  of  that  high 
and  dangerous  tendency  which  could  not  fail  to  produce  that 
pernicious  effect,  nor  would  these  be  th^only  consequences  that 
-would  result  from  it.  The  British  government  might,  for  a 
while,  be  satisfied  with  the  ascendency  thus  gained  over  us,  but 
its  pretensions  would  soon  increase.  The  proof,  which  so  com- 
plete and  disgraceful  a  submission  to  its  authority  would  afford 
of  our  degeneracy,  could  not  fail  to  inspire  confidence  that  there 
was  no  limit  to  wlUch  its  usurpations  and  our  degradation  mi^t 
not  be  carried. 

Your  committee  believing  that  the  free  bom  sons  of  America 
are  worthy  to  enjoy  the  liberty  which  their  fathers  purchased  at 
the  price  of  so  much  blood  and  treasure,  and  seeing,  in  the  mea- 
sures adopted  by  Great  Britain,  a  course  commenced  and  persist- 
ed in,  which  must  lead  to  a  loss  of  national  character  and 
independence,  feel  no  hesitation  in  advising  resistance  by 
force,  in  which  the  Americans  of  the  present  day,  will  ^n*ove  to 
the  enemy  and  to  the  world,  that  we  have  not  only  inhented  that 
liberty  wnich  our  fathers  gave  us,  but  also  the  will  and  power 
to  maintain  it.  Relying  on  the  patriotism  of  the  nation,  and 
confidently  trusting  that  the  Lora  of  Hosts  will  go  with  us  to 
battle  in  a  righteous  cause,  and  crown  our  efforts  with  success*" 
your  committee  recommend  an  immediate  appeal  to  aams. 


sa 

AN  ACT, 

Beelaring  War  hetwem  the  United  Kingdom,  of  Oreat  BrUain 
and  Ireland  and  the  dependencies  thereat  and  the  Vnited  States 
of  Jimerica  and  their  territories. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled.  That  War 
be>  and  the  same  is  hereby  declared  to  exist  between  the  United 
Kingdom  of  Oreat  Britain  and  Ireland  and  the  dependencies 
thereof*  and  the  United  States  of  America  and  their  territories ; 
and  that  the  President  of  the  United  States  be,  and  he  is  hereby 
authorized  to  use  the  whole  land  and  naval  force  of,  the  United 
States  to  carry  the  same  into  eflfect,  and  to  issue  to  private  armed 
vessels  of  the  United  States  commissions  or  letters  of  marque 
and  general  reprisal,  in  such  form  as  he  shall  think  proper,  and 
under  the  seal  of  the  United  States,  against  the  vessels,  goods 
and  effects  of  the  cdvemment  of  Ihe  same  United  Kingdom  of 
Great  Britun  ana  Ireland,  and  the  subjects  thereof. 
June  18, 1812. 

Approved, 

JAMES  MADISON, 


OWER 

,  and 

us  to 

■seat— 


On  (he  passage  of  the  preceding  Jiet,  the  vote,  in  the  House  of 
It^esentatives  was  as  follows,  vix, 

IN  THE  AFFIRMATIVE. 


JV)fw*JKifi^Mre— Samuel  iHnsmocv, 
Obed  HmU,  John  A.  Hatper,    3. 

Jltutachauetf—Fnacn  Carr,  iHuah 
L.  Cbreen,  William  M.  Kchardaon,  Eb- 
enezer  Seaver,  Charies  Turner,  jun. 
William  Widgety,    6. 

Bhtde-Jaland— None. 

Comiectfcitf— None. 

Fimnettf— James  Flak,  Saml.  Shaw, 
DTilfiam  Stronff,    3. 

AVw-Ferit— %aiuel  Aveiy,  Benja- 
min Pond,  Ebenexer  Sage,    3. 

Mw-Jeney—htwis  Coiidiet,  James 
Moigan,    2. 

Penfuyfeonjo— William  Anderson, 
David  Bard,  Robert  Brown,  William 
Crawford,  Roger  Davis,  William  Find- 
ley,  John  M.  Hyneman,  Abner  La* 
cock,  Joseph  Lefevre,  Aaron  Lyie, 
William  Piper,  Jonathan  Roberta, 
Adam  Seybert,  John  Smilie,  George 
^mith,  Robert  Whitehill,    16. 

i)e/awore— None. 

Jfbryiiaiwf— Stevenson  Archer,  Jo- 
seph Kent,  Peter  Little,  Alexr.  M*Kim, 
SamL  Ringgold,  Robt  Wright,    6. 

4 


Ftrjvma— Burwell  Bassett,  WilKam 
A.  Burwell,  John  Cloptcoi,  <  J<dm 
Dawson,  ^omas  ^kolaon,  Peterson 
Goodwyn,  Aylett  Hawea^  William 
M*Coy,  Hu^  Nelson,  Thmnas  New« 
ton,  James  neasanta,  jr.  John  Roane^ 
John  Sm>*Ii,  John  Taliaferro,    14. 

JVbD';«-Carolifui>— Willis  Alston,  jr. 
William  Blackledge,  James  Cochran, 
WilUam  R.  King,  Nathaniel  Macon, 
Israel  Pickens,    6. 

South-CmUnah-'Wm.  Bat|«r,  John 
C.  Calhoun,  Langdon  Cbmi§,  Eliac 
Earle,  William  Lowndes^  Thomas 
Moore,  David  R.  Williams,  Jl^chard 
Winn,    8. 

G«er7to-^William  W.  Bibb,  BoL 
ling  Hail,  C;eorge  M.  Troup,    3. 

JTenlucJby— Joseph  Desha,  Richard 
M.  Johnson,  Samuel  M<Kee,  Anthony 
New,  Stephen  Ormsby,    5. 

TVttfKiMe^Felix  Grundy,  John  Rhea, 
John  Sevier,    3. 

0M#— Jeremiah  Morrow,    1. 

Ybm,  7% 


■:^- 


Ifl" 


96 
IN  THE  NEGATIVE. 


AVwUbfii^AtfV— Jonah  Butlett, 
Storge  Sulurui,    2 

JMoMacAtMeMf-Elvah  Brigfaan,  Wm. 
Ely,  Jonah  Quin^,— — Reed,  Samuel 
TuggarU  Peler  Tubnan,  Laban  Whea^ 
ton*  Leonard  White,    8. 

Shade  Aland— J&datd  Jackson,  jr. 
Eliaha  R  I^otter,    2. 

CMHweft'cuf— Epaphroditus  Cham- 
l^on,  John  Davenport,  jr.  Lyman  Law, 
Jonaithan  O.Moaeley,  Timothy  Pitkin, 
Leina  B.  Stiugesb  Bei\janmi  Tall- 
il>ad|;e,    7. 

feniMftf— Martin  Chittenden,  1. 
ASn»  r«riis-->Hennanu8  Bleeker, 
lliomaa  B.  Cooke,  James  Emot,  Aaa 
litch,  Thomas  R.  Gold,  Arunah  liet- 
calf,  Samuel  L.  ICtchel],  Thonaa  Sam- 
nons,  Sihs  Stow,  Uriah  Traqr,  iKeite 
Van  Cortlandt,  jr.    IL 

ASiw  /cTMy—Adam  Boyd,  Jacob 
Hufty,  George  C.  MazweU,  Thomas 
NQwbold,    4. 


Pennrafoamo— James  Milnor,  W^ 
liam  Rounan,    2. 

He&nwifv^— Henry  M .  Bidgely,    1. 

JMbry&imf— ChaileB  Goldsborougfa, 
Philip  B.  Key,  Philip  Stuart,    3. 

Virginta-^ohn  Baker,  James  Breck- 
enri^ge,  Joseph  Lewi%  jr.  John  Ban- 
dolplC  Thomas  Wilson,    5. 

Mrlh  Carv&'na-Archibald  M<Bride, 
Joseph  Pearson,  Richard  StanfiHd,    3. 

Stuth  CflrvSfia— None.  . 

Gflorjvu— None. 

Kentucky— Hone. 

Tennettee—'Saiie. 

0A>»— None.         ' 


YlAS, 

Nats, 


49 


M^oiityforWar,         30 


IN  THE  SENATE. 


TEAS. 


JV!m  lfa«^«»»-Charlea  Cutta, 
MatMchiut^tt— Joseph  B.  Vamum* 
r«rmMrt-^onathan  Robinson, 
JVWv  FffHb— John  Smith, 
JVVw  Jbtey— John  Con^t^ 
^WMMyipoiiia— Andrew  Gr^^,   Mi. 

chaelLeib, 
JMarafatMf--8amueI  Snuth, 
HfovMcH- Richard  Brent,  William  B. 

Giles, 
AVrlH  Corsiffia    Jesse  Franklin, 

James  Tumei^ 
SHUh  Cors&no— John  GaiUard,  John 

Taylor, 
6ssrj>i»— Wm.  H.  Crawford,  Charies 

Tait^ 
Jftnlitc<!y--GeorgeM.  Bibb, 
Tnmetaee    Joseph  Anderson,  George 

W.CampbeU. 


NATS. 


Mm  JKm^^'iv— Nicholas  CHImaiW 
Maitachiuetf-^tmt»  Lloyd, 
Connecticut— Staid.  W.  Diuia,  Channr 

cey  Goodrich, 
Rhode  /rfoncf-Jeremiah  Bt  Howel^ 

Wilfiam  Hunter, 
JVew  F«rii>— Obadiah  German, 
Mw  Jenejf—JcHm  Lambert, 
Delawttre—J$att»  A.  Bayud^  Outers 

bridge  Horsey, 
.Mbry&md— Philip  RcMsd, 
irm<uciby--John  Pope^ 
OAte— lliomas  Woithmgton. 


TXAS, 

Nats, 

MigaiiyforWar, 


If 
13 


«7 


DECLARATION  OP  WAR  ANNOUNCED. 


i\  '4 


BY  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMEBICA 

A  PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas  the  Congress  of  the  United  State^  by  virtue  cf  the 
constituted  authority  vested  in  them,  have  decided  by  their  act, 
bearine  date  the  eimteenth  day  of  tiie  present  month,  that  war 
exists  between  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland* 
and  the  dependencies  thereof,  and  the  United  States  of  America 
and  their  territories :  Now  therefore,  I,  James  Madison,  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  of  America,  do  hereby  proclaim  the 
tame  to  all  whoni  it  may  concern ;  and  I  do  especiaUy  enjoin  on 
all  persons  holding  offices,  civil  or  military,  under  the  authorilj 
of  uie  United  States,  that  they  be  vigilant  and  zealous  in  dis- 
charging the  duties  respectively  incident  thereto;  and  I  do  more- 
over exhort  all  the  Kood  people  of  the  United  States,  as  they  love 
their  country;  as  wey  value  the  precious  heritace  derived  from 
the  virtue  and  valor  of  their  fathers;  as  they  feel  the  wrongrs 
which  have  forced  on  them  the  last  resort  of  injured  nations ; 
and  as  they  consult  the  best  means,  under  the  blessings  of  Divine 
^Providence,  of  abridging  its  calamities ;  that  they  exert  them- 
selves in  preserviiu;  order,  in  promoting  concord,  m  maintaining 
the  authority  and  ue  efficacy  of  the  laws,  and  in  supporting  ana 
invigorating  all  the  measures  which  may  be  adopted  by  the  con- 
stituted auuiorities,  for  obtaining  a  speedy,  a  just,  and  an  honour- 
able peace. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my 
'  hand,  and  caused  the  seal  of  the  United  States 
to  be  affixed  to  these  ftresents.  Done  at  the  city 
of  Washin^n,  the  nineteenth  day  of  June,  one 
thousand  eig^t  hundred  and  twelve,  and  of  tiie 
Independence  of  the  United  States  the  thir^- 
•ixth. 


|SEAL.| 


By  the  Ptetident, 


JAMES  MADISON. 

JAMES  MONROE, 
Secretary  of  Stite. 


M 


l?| 


i-ti 


I 


I' 


^a^pt^ 


:  -M 


OFFICIAL 


BLACK  ROCK»  June  28»  1812. 

SIR,  , 

THERE  is  everj  reason  to  beUeve  tiiat  the  British  meditate 
an  attack  on  Fort  Niagara,  and  that  it  may  be  attempted  within 
twenty-four  hours  from  thi^  time.  If  they  once  pass  the  river 
it  is  impossible  to  say  how  far  they  may  proceed.  Under  these 
very  uraent  circumstances,  I  despatch  an  express  to  request  that 
you  will  immediately  march  the  men  under  your  command  to  our 
assistance.  Although  you  may  not  have  received  orders  autho- 
rizing you  to  comply  with  this  request,  I  am  persuaded  tiie  oc- 
casion will  justify  you,  as  your  men  can  be  of  no  possible  use 
at  Canandaigua,  or  any  other  place  along  the  south  shore  ot 
tiie  lake,  and  are  undoubtedly  intended,  ultimately,  for  this 
place.  Bring  with  you  all  the  arms  and  ammunition  in  the 
Canandugoa  arsenal. 

In  great  haste,  yours  respectfully, 

PETER  B.  PORTER,  q,  M,  G. 
of  the  State  of  J^ntW'Fwki 

U^.  MuUany,  commaii^ngftt  CuuuicUigiuu 

[Ibjor  General  Hall  addreaaed  Major  Mullany  bjr  the  aame  conveyance^ 
and  equally  urgent,  with  an  aaaurance  that  the  people  would  bear  lUm  hahn-* 
leaa  in  the  event  of  lua  being  ccnaured  by  thio  gvfdvmeni  for  marduLg  for 
their  protection,  &c.  fcc]  . 


W'-',\ 


I.  ^'. 


30 

CANANDAIGUA,  June  39, 1813; 
9  t'clock  Jl.  M. 
SIR, 

I  arful  myself  of  the  same  express  which  conveyed  me  the 
letter  of  s;eneral  JPorter  and  yours  of  yesterday,  to  inform  you 
that  I  will  not  hesitate  in  assuming  the  responsibility  of  marching 
for  the  defence  and  protection  of  the  Niagara  frontier  under  ex" 
isting  circumstances;  should  I  be  fortunate  in  preventing  or 
Fepelling  invasion,  and  inspiring  our  frontier  settlers  with  con- 
fidence, I  shall  feel  well  rewarded. 

It  is  only  two  months  since  I  arrived  in  the  district,  and  com- 
menced the  recruiting  service,  and  witii  the  blessing  of  Provi- 
dence I  will  march  by  two  o'clock  to  day,  three  companies  of 
infanlary  and  one  of  artillery,  and  I  trust  I  will  Quarter  with 
them  in  fort  Niagara  on  the  4th  of  July.  Be  pleased  to  make  thig 
known  to  general  Porter,  and  inform  him  that  the  arms  and  am- 
munition will  accompany  my  command. 

Respectfully  yours, 

JS.  ROBT.  MULLANY. 
Major  U.  S,  Infantry, 

To  Major  Genl.  Hall,  Batavia. 


BY  WILLIAM  HULL, 

Brigadier  general  and  commander  in  ekief  of  the  J^f^frth-veattm 
army  of  the  United  States, 

A  PROCLAMATION. 

IkBABITAMTS  of  CANADA  ! 

After  thirty  years  of  peace  and  prosperity,  the  Upited  Sta^a 
kave  been  driven  to  arms.  The  injuries  ana  aggressions,  the  in- 
sults and  indignities  of  Great  Britain,  have  once  more  left  them 
no  alternative  but  manly  resistance  or  unconditional  submission. 
The  army  under  my  command  has  invaded  your  country,  and  tii« 
standard  of  union  now  waves  over  the  territory  of  Canada.  T» 
thepeaceable,  unoffendine  inhabitant,  it  brings  neither  danger  nor 
difficulty.  I  come  to  find  enemies,  not  to  make  them ;  I  come  to 
protect,  not  to  injure  you. 

Separated  by  an  immense  ocean  and  an  extensive  wildwnest 
from  Great  Britain,  you  have  no  participation  in  her  councils,  no 
interest  in  her  conduct;  you  have  felt  her  tyranny,  you  have  seen 
her  inittstice,  but  I  do  not  ask  you  to  revenge  the  one,  or  to  redress 
the  ouier.  The  United  States  are  sufficiently  powerful  to  afford 
every  security  consistent  with  their  rights  and  your  expoctatioM* 


31 


I  tender  yon  the  inTftluable  blessing  of  civil,  political  and  religion! 
liberty,  and  their  necessary  result*  individual  and  general  prospe- 
rity.  That  liberty  which  gave  decision  to  our  councils  and  en- 
ei^  to  our  conduct,  in  a  struggle  for  independence,  and  which 
conducted  us  safe  and  triumpMintlv  throu^  the  stormy  period 
of  the  revolution.  That  liberty  which  has  raised  us  to  an  elevated 
rank  among  the  nations  of  the  world,  and  which  afforded  \s  a 
greater  measure  of  peace  and  security,  of  wealth  and  improve* 
ment,  than  ever  fell  to  the  lot  of  anv  country. 

In  tiie  name  of  my  country,  ma  by  the  authority  of  govern* 
ment,  I  promise  you  protection  to  your  persons,  property  and 
i^ts ;  remain  at  your  homes,  pursue  your  pieaceful  and  customary 
avocations,  raise  not  your  hands  against  your  brethren.  Many 
of  ^our  fadiers  fousht  for  the  freedom  and  independence  we  now 
en^oy.  Being  chilflren,  therefore,  of  the  same  family  with  us,  and 
heirs  to  the  same  heritage,  the  arrival  of  an  army^  of  friends 
must  be  hailed  by  you  Mri'th  a  cordial  welcome.  You  will  be  eman- 
cipated from  tyranny  and  oppression,  and  restored  to  the  dig- 
nined  station  of  freemen.  Had  I  any  doubt  of  eventual  success, 
I  might  ask  your  assistance,  but  I  do  not.  I  come  prepared  for 
every  contingency.  I  have  a  force  which  will  look  down  all  op- 
position. And  that  force  is  but  the  van-guard  of  a  much  greater. 
If,  contrary  to  your  own  interest  and  the  just  expectation  of  my 
country,  you  should  take  part  in  the  approaching  contest,  yott 
will  be  considered  and  treated  as  enemies,  and  the  horrors  and 
calamities  of  war  will  stalk  before  you.  If  the  barbarous  and 
savage  policy  of  Great  Britain  be  pursued,  and  the  savages  be  let 
loose  to  murder  our  citizens,  and  butcher  our  women  and  children, 
this  war  will  be  a  war  of  extermination.  The  first  stroke  of  tiie 
tomahawk,  tiie  first  attempt  with  the  scalping  knife,  will  be  the 
signal  of  one  indiscriminate  scene  of  desolation  No  white  man 
found  fighting  by  the  side  of  an  Indian  will  be  taken  prisoner  t 
instant  destruction  will  be  his  lot.  If  tiie  dictates  of  reason, 
duty,  justice  and  humanity,  cannot  prevent  the  employment  of  a 
force  which  respects  no  rights,  and  knows  no  wrong,  it  will  be 

Srevented  by  a  severe  and  relentiess  system  of  retaliation.  I 
oubt  not  your  courage  and  firmness.  I  will  not  doubt  your  at- 
tachment to  liberty.  Tlie  United  States  offer  you  peace,  liberty 
and  security — your  choice  lies  between  these  and  war,  slavery 
and  destruction.  Choose  then,  but  choose  wisely;  and  may  H!e 
who  knows  the  justice  of  our  cause,  and  who  holds  in  his  hands 
the  fate  of  nations,  ^ide  you  to  a  result  tiie  most  compatible 
with  your  rights  and  interests,  your  peace  and  happiness. 

By  the  General* 

A.  P.  HULL, 

Cafttedn  0/  Oe  13th  U.  S.  reg.  0/  Ji^atUry  and  Aid  de^tui^, 

BEAD  QUARTERS, 

SandmichiJuls  l3tlB12, 


m 


WILKINSON'S  GENERAL  ORDER. 

HEAD41UARTERS,  NEW-ORLEANS,  Juljr  Hf,  181S. 

Brigadier  General  Wilkinson  resumes  his  command  of  the 
district  of  the  Mississippi. 

The  eventful  moment  in  which  he  enters  on  the  arduous  and 
critical  duties  of  his  station,  will,  he  trusts,  justify  the  deviation 
from  ordinary  rule,  when  he  appeals  to  the  pride,  the  spirit,  honour, 
seal  and  patriotism  of  those  wno  may  be  placed  under  his  orders. 

After  a  series  of  lon^  continued  aegressions,  which  the  love  of 
peace  only  could  have  induced  the  Ainerican  people  to  tolerate ; 
after  reiterated  wrongs  without  remedy  or  relief ;  after  having 
drained  the  cup  of  conciliation  to  its  very  dregs  ;  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  of  America  have  been  driven  to  the 
last  appeal  of  nations  in  support  of  its  independence,  and  to 
assert  those  inalienable  rights  which  are  derived  from  God  and 
nature.  The  patience  ana  forbearance  which  have  marked  the 
course  of  the  public  councils  furnish  the  strongest  assurance  of 
the  firmness  and  inflexibility  vrith  which  that  course  will  be 
maintained  until  its  objects  are  accomplished. 

The  crisis  is  imperative,  and  the  call  to  arms  must  alike 
animate  every  citizen  and  every  soldier.  But  we  owe  still  more 
to  the  public  service  and  the  common  safety  of  our  beloved 
country.  Let  political  feuds  and  personal  animosities  be  buried 
at  the  shrine  oi  patriotism,  and  let  our  only  contest  be  for  per- 
sonal glory  and  the  national  weaJ. 

.  The  respect  in  which  the  general  holds  his  own  humble  fame, 
presents  to  his  subordinates  a  safe  suarant^e  for  the  justice  and 
impartiality  of  the  commander  in  the  exercise  of  his  functions ; 
and  while  he  requires  from  his  officers  a  candid  and  manly  co- 
operation for  the  support  of  those  principles  of  subordination 
and  discipline,  without  which  military  bodies  become  worse  than 
useless,  while  he  demands  from  them  harmony,  zeal,  discretion, 
constancy,  valour,  as  the  best  security  for  personal  repute  and 
efficient  service.  Considerations  of  delicacy  require  that  he 
should  draw  an  impenetrable  veil  over  the  scenes  which  have 
ensued  during  his  absence ;  and  he  pledges  himself  to  make  even 
handed  justice  the  rule  of  his  conduct,  rewarding  merit  accor- 
ding to  its  worth,  and  awarding  punishments  with  inflexible  ri- 
gour when  the  laws  may  impose  them. 


SANDWICH,  UPPER  CANADA,  July  17, 1813. 
SIR, 

In  conformity  with  your  instructions,  I  proceeded  with  a 
detachment  of  280  men,  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy's  advanced 
posts.    We  found  them  in  possession  of  a  bridge  over  the  river 


3S 

CMiMf  at  the  distance  of  four  miles  from  Maiden*  After  ex-* 
amininc  their  position,  !  left  one  crmpany  of  ri||emen»  to  conceal 
ihemaelves  near  the  bridge,  i»:id  upon  our  appearance  on'  the 
ptt]>08ite  side  of  the  river,  to  commence  firing,  in  order  to  divert 
their  attention,  and  to  throw  them  into  confusion.  I  then  pro* 
ceeded  with,  the  remainder  of  the  force  about  five  miles,  to  a 
(brd  over  the  Canas,  and  down  on  the  southern  bank  of  the  river. 
About  sun -set  we  arrived  within  sight  of  the  enemy.  Being 
entirely  destitute  of  guides,  we  marched  too  near  the  bank  ot 
the  river,  and  found  our  progress  checked  by  a  creek,  which  waa 
then  impassable.  We  were  then  compellea  to  march  up  a  mile, 
in  order  to  effect  a  passive  over  the  creek.  This  gave  the  enemy 
time  to  make  their  arrangements,  and  prepare  for  their  defence* 
Qn  coming  down  the  creek  we  found  them  formed ;  they  com- 
menced a  distant  fire  of  musketry.  The  riflemen  of  th^  detach- 
ment were  formed  upon  the  wings,  and  the  two  companies  of 
infantry  in  the  centre.  The  men  moved  on  v/ith  great  spirit 
and  alacrity.  After  the  first  discharge  the  British  retreated— 
we  continued  advancing.  Three  times  they  formed,  and  aa 
often  retreated.  We  drove  them  about  half  a  mile,  when  it  be- 
came so  dark  that  we  were  obliged  to  relinquish  the  pursuit. 
Two  privates  in  the  41st  regiment  were  wounded  ana  taken 
prisoners.  We  learn  from  deserters,  that  nine  or  ten  were 
wounded,  and  some  killed.  We  could  gain  no  precise  infor- 
mation of  the  number  opposed  to  us.  It  consisted  of  a  consider- 
able detachment  from  toe  4l8t  resimentr  some  militia,  and  a 
body  of  Indians.  The  ruard  at  the  bridge  consisted  of  fifty  men. 
Onr  riflemen  stationed  on  this  side  the  Canaa,  discovered  the 
enemy  reinfOTcina;  them  during  the  whole  afternoon.  There  if 
Bo  doubt  but  their  number  considerably  exceeded  ours.  Lieu* 
tenant  colonel  Miller  conducted  in  the  most  spirited  and  able 
manner.  I  have  every  reason  to  be  satisfied  with  the  C(mduct 
ef  the  whole  detachment 

Very  respectfully,  air,  I  have  the  honour,  &j. 

LEWIS  CASS, 
Col.  Sd  ng,  O,  vqL 
His  Excellency  Brigadier  General  Hull. 


BritUh  account  of  the  capture  of  Fort  Miehilimaekinae, 

MACKINAC,  18th  July,  1813. 
DEAR  SIR, 

I  am  happy  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  announce  to  you 
that  Mackinac  capitulated  to  us  on  the  15th  instant,  at  It 
e'cbck,  A.  M.  Captain  Roberts  at  our  head,  witii  a  part  of  the 
10th  B.  v.  battalion.     Mr.  Crawford  had  the  command  of  the 

5 


Ctnadiani,  whieh  consisted  of  about  flOO  moil }  Mr.  Dickcnsoii 
143  Sioux,  Forlavians,  and  Winebagoes  ;  and  myself  about  230 
men,  Attawas  and  Chippewas,  part  of  Attawas  or  L*harb  Croche 
had  not  arrived.  It  was  a  fortunate  circumstance,  the  fort  capi- 
tulated without  firing  a  single  gun,  fol*  had  thej  done  so,  JNlrmfy 
believe  not  a  soul  of  them  ivould  have  been  eaved.*  My  son* 
Charles  liongdale,  Augustin  Nolin,  and  MachelioBadotte,  jr.havo 
rendered  me  great  service  in  keeping  the  Indiatu  in  order,  and 
in  executing,  from  time  to  time,  such  commands  as  were  deliver* 
•d  bj  the  commanding  officer.  I  never  saw  so  determined  a  $tt 
of  people  as  the  Chippewas  and  Attawat. 

Since  the  capitulation  they  have  not  drank  a  single  drop  of 
liquor,  nor  even  killed  a  fowl  belonging  to  any  person,  (a  thing 
never  known  before)  for  they  generuly  destroy  every  thing  thcgr 
meet  with. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  ASKIN,  Jun. 
SUire  keeper*9  De^ 
The  hon.  col.  W.  CImu,  &c.  Fort  George. 


SIR, 


DETROIT,  4th  August,  1819. 


I  take  the  earliest  opportunity  to  acquaint  your  excellency 
of  the  surrender  of  the  ^rrison  or  Michiumacki^n  :ac,  under  my 
command,  to  his  Britannic  majesty's  forces  under  the  command 
of  cwtain  Charles  Roberts,  oii  the  17th  ultimo,  the  particulars  of 
which  are  as  follows :— On  the  16th,  I  was  informed  by  the  Indias 
interpreter,  that  he  had  discovered  from  an  Indian  that  the  several 
nations  of  Indians  then  at  St  Joseph,  (a  British  garrison,  distant 
about  forty  miles)  intended  to  make  an  immediate  attack  on 
Michilimackinac.  I  was  inclined,  from  the  coolness  I  had  dis- 
covered in  some  of  the  principal  chiefs  of  the  Ottawa  and  Chip- 
pewa nations,  who  had  but  a  few  days  before  professed  the  greatest 
niendship  for  the  United  States,  to  place  confidence  in  this  re- 
port. I  immediately  called  a  meetinj);  of  the  American  gentiemen 
at  that  time  on  the  island,  in  which  it  was  thought  proper  to  des- 
patch a  confidential  person  to  St.  Joseph  to  watch  the  motions  of 
the  Indians.  Captain  Daurman,  of  the  militia,  was  thought  the 
most  suitable  for  this  service.  He  embarked  about  sun-set,  and 
met  the  British  forces  within  ten  or  fifteen  miles  of  the  island,  by 
whom  he  was  made  prisoner  and  put  on  his  parole  of  honor.  He 
was  landed  on  the  island  at  day -break,  with  positive  directions 
to  ^ve  me  no  intelligence  whatever.  He  was  also  instructed  to 
take  the  inhabitants  of  the  village  indiscriminately  to  a  place  on 
the  west  side  of  the  island,  where  their  persons  and  property 

*  BritMi  magpMunu^. 


•hoQld  bfl  protected  by  a  British  guard ;  but  should  they  go  to  tlis 
fort,  thejr  would  be  subject  to  a  general  massacre  by  tine  savages. 
which  would  be  inevitable  if  the  garrison  fired  a  gun.  This  in- 
formation I  received  from  doctor  Da^,  who  was  passing  through 
the  village  when  every  person  was  flying  for  refuge  to  the  enemy. 
Immediately  on  beinj;  informed  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  I 
placed  ammunition,  £c.  in  the  block-houses ;  ordered  every  gun 
charged,  and  made  every  preparation  for  action.  About  9  o'clock 
I  could  discover  that  the  enemy  were  in  possession  of  the  heights 
that  commanded  the  fort,  and  one  piece  of  their  artillery  directed 
to  the  most  defenceless  part  of  the  garrison.  The  Indians  at  thif 
time  were  to  be  seen  in  great  numbers  in  the  edge  of  the  woods. 
At  half  past  11  o'clock,  the  enemy  sent  in  a  flag  of  truce,  de- 
manding a  surrender  of  the  fort  and  island  to  his  Britannic  ma- 
jesty's forces.  This,  sir,  was  the  first  information  I  had  of  the 
declaration  of  war ;  I,  however,  had  anticipated  it,  and  was  as 
well  prepared  tb  meet  such  an  event  as  I  possibly  could  have 
been  with  the  force  under  my  command,  amounting  to  57  efiective 
men,  including  oflicers.  Three  American  sentlemen,  who  were 
prisoners,  were  permitted  to  accompany  the  flag;  from  them  I 
ascertained  the  strength  of  the  enemy  to  be  from  nine  hundred 
to  one  thousand  strong,  consisting  of  regular  troops,  Canadians 
and  savages ;  that  they  had  two  pieces  of  artillery,  and  were 
provided  witli  ladders  and  ropes  for  the  purpose  of^scalinj^;  the 
works  if  necessary.  After  I  had  obtained  this  information,  I 
consulted  my  officers  and  also  the  American  sentlemen  present^ 
who  were  very  Intelligent  men;  the  result  of  which  was,  that  it 
was  impossible  for  the  «u-rison  to  hold  out  against  such  a  superior 
force.  In  this  opinion  I  fully  concurred,  from  the  conviction  that 
it  was  the  only  measure  that  could  prevent  a  general  massacre* 
The  fort  and  garrison  were  accordingly  surrendered. 

The  enclosed  papers  exhibit  copies  of  the  correspondence  be- 
tween the  officer  commanding  the  British  forces  and  myself,  and 
of  the  articles  of  capitulation.  This  subject  involved  questions 
of  a  peculiar  nature ;  and  I  hope,  sir,  that  my  demands  and  pro- 
tests will  meet  the  approbation  of  my  government  I  cannot 
allow  this  opportunity  to  escape  without  expressing  my  obligation 
to  doctor  Day  for  the  service  ne  rendered  me  in  conducting  this 
correspondence. 

In  consequence  of  this  unfortunate  affair,  I  beg  leave,  sir,  to 
demand  that  a  court  of  inc^uiry  may  be  ordered  to  investieate  all 
the  facts  connected  with  it ;  and  I  do  further  request,  wat  the 
court  may  be  specially  directed  to  express  their  opinion  on  tbs 
merits  of  the  case. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  &c 

P.  HANKS, 
LUutmuuU  of  JhiUkrif, 
Nts  Ezcelleiur^  Gen.  Hull, 

ConiDMimiig  1J»  N.  W.  Amy*  '     i 


Ni] 


■^i? 


Ill 


it' 


f 


I: 

Jill: 


96 

f,  S.  The  following  particulars  relating  to  the  British  finre* 
irere  obtained  after  the  capitulation,  from  a  lource  that  admits 
of  DO  doubt. 

ilegular  tnopt, 

ToUl, 

BAVAGES— Sious, 

TaUenwaiiuH 
Chippewu  and 
Ottowa% 


46  (including  4  oiReen.) 
360 

306 


56 
48 

39 

573 


715  Savaffea^ 
306  Whites. 

1031 

It  may  also  be  reniarlced,  that  one  hundred  and  fifty  Chippewat 
and  Ottawas  joined  the  British  two  days  after  the  capitulation. 

P.  H. 


SIR, 


SANDWICH,  Auguitr,  1813. 


On  the  4th  instant  major  Van  Horn,  of  colonel  Findlay's  re- 
giment of  Ohio  volunteers,  vtras  detached  from  this  army,  with  the 
command  of  200  men,  principally  riflemen,  to  proceed  to  the 
river  Raisin,  and  further,  if  necessary,  to  meet  and  reinforce 
captain  Brush,  of  the  state  of  Ohio,  commanding  a  cooApany  of 
Yolunteers,  and  escor tins  provisions  for  this  army.  At  Browns^ 
town,  a  large  body  of  Indians  had  formed  an  ambuscade,  and  the 
miyor's  detachment  received  a  heavy  fire,  at  the  distance  of  fifty 
yards  from  the  enemy.  The  whole  detachment  retreated  in  dis- 
order. Major  Van  Horn  made  every  exertion  to  form,  andpre- 
vent  the  retreat,  that  was  possible  for  a  brave  and  eallant  officer, 
but  without  success.  By  the  return  of  killed  and  wounded,  it 
will  be  perceived  that  the  loss  of  officers  was  uncommonly  great. 
Their  enbrts  to  rally  their  companions  was  the  occasion  ofit. 
1  am,  very  respectfully. 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

WM.  HULL. 
Hon.  Wm.  Eustia,  Secretaty  of  War. 

Killed,  7  oiHcen— 10  privates: — number  of  wounded  unknown. 


SIR. 


DETROIT,  August  13, 1813. 


The  main  body  of  the  army  having  re-'«;rossed  the  river  to  De« 
trmt,  on  the  night  and  morning  of  the  8th  instant,  600  men  were 
immediately  detached  under  the  command  of  lieutenant  colonel 
Miller,  to  open  the  communication  to  the  river  Raiain,  and 


S7 

wtttect  4m  fiwittom  iiid«r  the  etcorC  of  enpUlii  Bntih.  Thii 
ittMhmenC  consisted  of  the  4th  United  States*  regiment,  «n4 
two  snell  detachments  vnder  the  command  of  lieutenant  Stant* 
bury,  and  ensign  M'Labe  of  the  1st  regiment,  detachment* 
from  the  Ohio  and  Michican  volunteers,  a  corps  of  artillerists, 
witii  one  six  pounder  and  an  howitzer  under  the  command  of 
Uentenant  Eastman,  and  a  pert  of  captains  Smith  and  Sloan^ 
cavalry,  commanded  br  captain  Sloan  of  the  Ohio  volunteers. 

I^tenant  colonel  Miller  marched  from  Detroit  on  the  after" 
nomKt  the  8th  instant,  and  on  the  9th,  abojat  4  o'clock,  P.  M.  the 
van  guaH,  commanded  by  captain  Snellin^  of  the  4th  United 
States*  regiment,  was  fired  on  by  an  extensive  line  of  Britisli 
troops  and  Indians  at  the  lower  part  of  the  Magaugo,  about  14 
miles  from  Detroit  At  this  time  the  main  body  was  marching  in 
two  columns,  and  captain  Snelling  maintained  his  position  in  a 
most  gallant  manner,  under  a  very  heavy  fire,  until  the  line  was 
formed  and  advanced  to  the  ground  he  occupied,  when  the 
whole,  excepting  the  rear  guard,  was  brought  into  action. 

The  enemy  were  formed  behind  a  temporary  breast-work  of 
logs,  the  Indians  extending  in  a  thick  wood  on  their  left.  LieS" 
tenant  colonel  Miller  ordered  his  whole  line  to  advance,  and  whea 
within  a  small  distance  of  the  enemy  made  a  general  discharge 
and  proceeded  with  charged  bayonets,  when  the  British  line  and 
Indians  commenced  a  retreat.  They  were  pursued  in  a  most  vi- 
gorous manner  about  two  miles,  and  the  pursuit  discontinued  only 
on  account  of  the  fatigue  of  the  troops,  the  approach  of  evening^ 
and  the  necessity  of  returning  to  take  care  of  the  wounded.  Ths 
judicious  arrangements  made  by  lieutenant  colonel  Miller,  and  the 
nllant  manner  in  which  they  were  executed,  justly  entitle  him  to 
tne  highest  honour.  From  die  moment  the  line  commenced  the 
fire,  it  continually  moved  on,  and  the  enemy  maintained  tiieir  {mmi* 
tion  until  forced  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  The  Indians  on  the 
left,  under  the  commana  of  Tecumseh,  fought  with  great  obstinacy, 
but  were  continually  forced  and  compelled  to  retreat.  The  vic- 
tory was  complete  in  every  part  of  the  line,  and  the  success 
would  have  been  more  brilliant  had  the  cavalry  charged  tlie  ene- 
my on  the  retreat,  when  a  most  favorable  opportunity  presented. 
Although  orders  were  given  for  the  purpose,  unfortunately  they 
were  not  executed.  Majors  Van  Horn  and  Morrison,  of  the 
Ohio  volunteers,  were  associated  with  lieutenant  colonel  Miller, 
as  field  officers  in  this  command,  and  were  highly  distinguished 
by  their  exertions  in  forming  the  line,  and  the  firm  and  intrepid 
manner  they  led  their  respective  commands  to  action. 

Captain  Baker  of  the  tst  United  States*  regiment,  captain 
Brevoort  of  the  2d,  and  captain  Hull  of  the  iSth,  my  aid-de- 
camp, and  lieutenant  Whistler  of  the  1st,  requested  permission 
to  j[oin  the  detachment  as  volunteers.  Lieutenant  colonel  Miller 
assigned  to  captain  Baker  and  lieutenant  Whistler,  separate 
cDmmandt;  and  captsini  Brevoort  and  Hull,  at  his  request 


$8 

attended  his  person  and  aided  him  In  the  eeneral  arrangements. 
Lieutenant  colonel  Miller  has  mentioned  the  conduct  of  those 
officers  in  terms  of  high  approbation.  In  addition  to  the  captains 
who  have  been  named,  lieutenant  colonel  Miller  has  mentioned 
captains  Burton  and  Fuller  of  the  4th  regiment,  captains  Saun- 
ders and  Brown  of  the  Ohio  volunteers,  and  captain  Delandre 
of  the  Michi^n  volunteers,  who  were  attached  to  his  command, 
and  distinguished  by  their  valour.  It  is  impossible  for  me,  in 
this  communication,  to  do  justice  to  the  officers  and  soldiers, 
who  gained  the  victory  which  I  have  described.  Theji^ave 
acquired  high  honour  to  themselves,  and  are  justly  entitled  to 
the  gratitude  of  their  country. 

Major  Muir  of  the  41st  regiment,  commanded  the  British  in 
this  action.  The  regulars  and  volunteers  consisted  of  about  400, 
and  a  large  number  of  Indians.  Maior  Muir  and  two  subalterns 
were  wounded,  one  of  them  since  de&d.  About  forty  Indians 
were  found  dead  on  the  field,  and  Tecumseh,  their  leader,  was 
slightly  wounded.  The  number  of  wounded  Indians  who  escaped 
has  not  been  ascertained.  Four  of  major  Muir's  detachment 
have  been  made  prisoners,  and  fifteen  of  the  41st  regiment  killed 
and  wounded.  The  militia  and  volunteers  attached  to  his  com- 
mand, were  in  the  severest  part  of  the  action,  and  their  loss  must 
have  been  great— 4t  has  not  yet  been  ascertained. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  yours,  &c« 
WM.  HULL, 
Brig.  Oen,  eommanding  JV*.  W,  JSlrmy, 
Hon.  Wm.  Eustis,  Secretary  of  War. 

Mailed  and  wounded  in  the  action  near  Maguago,  dug,  9, 1812. 

4th  U.S. regiment — 10  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates 
killed,  and  45  wounded. 
Ohio  and  Michigan  volunteers — 8  killed  and  12  wounded. 


GENERAL  HULL'S  CAPITULATION. 

DETROIT,  August  13, 1818. 

tiEAR  SIR, 

I  have  several  times  written  to  you  since  I  heard  you  were  oa 
Tour  march,  but  I  find  that  my  letters  have  never  reached  you. 
Two  detachments  have  been  sent  to  meet  you,  but  both  returned 
with  loss.  We  have  abandoned  Canada,  and  l^e  British  force  is 
now  oppoprte  this  place  pointing  their  artillery ;  the  firing  will 
commence  shortly.    I  fear  you  will  not  be  able  to  see  us.    If 

Kssible  take  care  i»f  yourself  and  party.    The  enemy  may  not 
ve  force  to  see  you  and  attend  to  us. 

The  bearer  will,  or  can  give  you  a  hint  of  our  situation.  Adiev^ 
I  have  not  time  to  write. 

Respectfully  yours, 

DUNC/ii  M'ARTHUR. 
CH>*un  H.  Brush. 


1^ 


a» 


snt. 


DETROIT,  Uth  August^  U12. 


The  state  of  the  communicalion  between  this  and  the  river 
Raisin,  is  such  that  a  sufficient  detachment  cannot  be  sent  at 

firesent  to  bring  on  the  provisions  with  safety.  You  will  there- 
ore  remain  at  the  river  Raisin,  and  in  conjunction  with  Le 
Croix's  corps  and  your  own,  protect  the  provisions  and  yourselves 
until  further  orders.  The  detachment  sent  for  the  purpose  of 
opening  the  communication  are  so  fatigued  after  a  severe  and 
victorious  batUe  that  it  will  return  here. 

I  am,  respectfully, 

W.  HULL,  Gfen.  Commanding* 
Captain  Bniah,  or  the  comman^ng 

officer  at  the  river  Raisin. 

P.  S.  If  consulting  with  colonel  Anderson  and  captain  Jobart, 
the  bearer  of  this,  and  from  all  the  information  you  can  obtain, 
it  should  be  the  opinion,  you  can  come  an  upper  road  crossing 
the  river  Huron,  at  Godfrey's  trading  establishment,  you  are 
authorized  to  proceed  that  route,  in  which  case  you  will  give  me 
an  immediate  notice.  No  person  must  know  this  excepting 
colonel  Anderson,  captain  Jobart,  and  yourself.  Take  captain 
Jobart  for  a  guide,  and  if  he  recommends  other  ^ides,  with  him, 
they  shall  be  paid.  Captain  Le  Croix,  with  his  company,  will 
proceed  on  wnth  you. 

Respectfully, 

W.  HULL* 
Captun  Bnidi. 


'i-'i 


SIR, 


KIVfiR  RUSH,  August  16th,  1819. 


By  the  within  letter  you  will  see  that  the  army  under  general 
Hull  has  been  surrendered.  By  the  articles  you  will  see  that 
provision  has  been  made  for  the  detachment  under  your  com- 
mand ;  you  will,  therefore,  I  hope,  return  to  Ohio  with  us. 

DUNCAN  M'ARTHUR. 

Ci4;>tun  Heniy  Brush. 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  AT  DETROIT,  August  16th,  1813. 


I  have  signed  articles  of  capitulation  for  the  surresder  of  this 
nrrison  in  which  you  and  voar  detachment  are  prisoners  of  war. 
Such  part  of  the  Ohio  militia  as  have  not  joined  the  army,  will 
be  permitted  to  return  to  their  homes,  on  condition  that  they  will 
not  serve  during  the  war.  Their  arms,  however,  will  be  delivered 
up  if  belonging  to  the  public. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  &c. 

W.  HULL,  Brig,  Om, 
Cdmmaniing  the  JV*.  JF,  army. 
CdsQel  Dqncin  M*Artbur. 


Vj.. 


■M 


•ft^ 


r  * 


i-tii 


11 


«!;■ 


J, 


liiiilt 


40     . 
HBAD  QUARTERS,  DETROIT,  Augnitl6k  181S. 

GENERAL  ORDERS. 

It  is  with  ft&n  and  anxiety  that  brigadier-general  Hull  an- 
■eunces  to  the  North-western  armr,  that  he  has  been  compelled* 
from  a  sense  of  duty,  to  agree  to  me  following  articles  ot  cajM- 
Ration: 

CABIP  AT  DETROIT,  16th  August,  1813. 

Capitulation  for  the  surrender  of  Fort  Detroi^  entered  into 
betwen  major  general  Brock,  commanding  his  Britannic  majes- 
^'s  furces,  on  the  one  part,  and  brigadier-general  Hull,  com- 
manding the  N(Hrth-westem  army  of  the  United  States,  on  the 
other  purtr— 

Akt.  1.  F(Nrt  Detroit,  with  all  the  troops,  regulars  as  well  as 

militia,  will  be  immediately  surrendered  to  the  British  forces, 

«nder  the  command  of  miyor  ^neral  Brock,  and  will  be  con- 

vdered  as  prisoners  of  war ;  with  the  exception  of  such  oS  the 

.  «iliiia  of  the  Michigan  territory  who  have  not  joined  the  army. 

S.  All  public  stores,  arms  and  all  public  documents,  including 
tvery  thing  else  of  a  public  nature,  will  be  immediately  given  up. 

S.  Private  persons  and  property  of  every  description  will  oe 
lespected* 

4.  His  excellency  brigadier-general  Hull  having  ei^pressed  a 
desire  that  a  detachment  from  the  state  of  Ohio,  on  its  way  to 
join  his  army,  as  well  as  one  sent  from  Detroit,  under  the  com- 
mand of  colonel  M'Arthur,  shall  be  included  in  the  sdbove  ca^- 
tttlation,  it  is  accordinely  agreed  to;  it  is  however  to  be  under- 
stood tiiat  such  part  of  the  Ohio  militia  as  have  not  joined  tiie 
army,  will  be  permitted  to  return  to  their  homes,  on  conditioii 
that  Uiev  will  not  serve  durinj^  the  war.  Their  arms,  however, 
wM  be  aetivered  up,  if  belonging  to  the  public 

4.  The  garrison  will  march  out  at  the  hour  of  twelve  o'clock 
this  day,  and  the  British  forces  will  take  immediate  possession  of 
the  fori. 

J.  MACDONALD,  Lieut  Col. 

Militia^  F.  d.  D,  C, 

J.  B.  GLE66.  Major,  4.  D.  C. 
JAMES  MILLER,  lAeut,  Col 

5th  U.  8,  h^utry, 

E.  BRUSH.  CoL  \at  regt,  ^ 

jmtkigan  milititL 
AmiovBD, 

WM.  HULL, 

Brigadier-general  eotnmtmiing  tht  JV*.  W,  tfnpy. 
ArmovED, 

ISAAC  BROCK, 


'^Sim 


41 

The  arm  J,  at  IS  o'clock  this  day,  will  inarch  out  of  the  easik 
gate,  where  they  will  stack  their  arms,  and  then  be  subject  to  the 
articles  of  capitulation. 

WM.  HULL. 
Brigadier  general  commanding  the  A*.  JF,  Jirmy, 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  SANDWICH,  August  15, 1813. 


The  force  at  my  disposal  authorizes  me  io  require  of  you 
the  immediate  surrender  of  fort  Detroit.  It  is  far  from  my  in- 
clination to  join  in  a  war  of  extermination,  but  you  must  be  aware, 
that  the  numerous  body  of  Indians  who  have  attached  themselves 
to  my  troops,  will  be  beyond  my  controul  the  moment  the  contest 
commences.  You  will  nnd  me  disposed  to  enter  into  such  condi- 
tions as  will  satisfy  the  most  scrupulous  sense  of  honour.  Lieute- 
nant colonel  Macdonald  and  major  Gle^  are  fully  authorized 
to  conclude  any  arrangement  that  may  lead  to  prevent  th  unne- 
cessary effusion  of  blood. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir, 
Your  most  obedient  servant, 
ISAAC  BROCK, 

JKcj/or  C^elurut. 
ffis  Excellency  briga^er  general  Hull, 

comnmndinJi^  at  Fort  Detroit, 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  DETROIT,  August  15, 1812. 


I  have  received  your  letter  of  this  date.  I  have  no  other  reply 
to  make,  than  to  inform  you,  that  I  am  prepared  to  meet  any  force, 
which  may  be  at  your  disposal,  and  any  cotisequences  which  may 
result  from  any  exertion  of  it  you  may  think  proper  to  make. 

I  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  to  inform  you  that  the  flag 
of  truce  under  the  direction  of  captain  Brown,  proceeded  con- 
trary to  the  orders,  and  without  the  knowledge  of  colonel  Cass 
who  commanded  the  troops  which  attacked  your  picket,  near  the 
river  Canardbridge. 

I  likewise  take  this  occasion  to  inform  you  that  Cowie's  house 
was  set  on  fire  contrar;]^  to  my  orders,  and  it  did  not  take  place 
until  after  the  evacuation  of  the  fort.  From  the  best  informa- 
tion I  have  been  able  to  obtain  on  the  subject,  it  was  set  on  fire 
by  some  of  the  inhabitants  on  the  other  side  of  the  river. 

I  am,  very  respectfully. 
Your  excellency's  most  obedient  servant 
W.  HULL, 
Brig.  Gen,  Commanding  tlu  JiT,  W,  Armj/  U,  8 

His  excellency  major  general  Brock, 

conunanding  his  Briiannic  majesty's 
forces,  Sandwich,  Upper  Canada. 
6 


4a 

^  article  tuppleraental  to  the  articles  of  eapitulatioii«  concluded 
at  Detroit,  16th  August,  1812. 

It  is  agreed  that  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Ohio  militia 
and  volunteers  shall  be  permitted  to  proceed  to  their  respective 
homes  on  this  condition,  that  the  j  are  not  to  serve  during  the  pre- 
sent war,  unless  they  are  exchanged. 

W.  HULL. 
Brig.  Oen.  Commanding  JV.  W,  army  U»  A 

ISAAC  BROCK, 

Major  Generai. 


An  article  in  addition  to  the  supplemental  article  of  the  capitu- 
lation, concluded  at  Detroit,  I6th  August,  1812. 

It  is  further  agreed  that  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Michi- 
gan militia  and  volunteers,  under  the  command  of  mum: 
wetherell,  shall  be  placed  on  the  same  principles  as  the  Ohio 
volunteers  and  militia  are  placed  bj  the  supplemental  article  of 
the  I6tii  instant. 

W.  HULL. 
Brig.  Omu  Commanding  tV.  W,  army  U,  8, 

ISAAC  BROCK, 

Major  OeneraXt 


MtUumof  ordnanea  taken  in ^foH  and baiUrie$  at  Datroit, 


Iron  pieces  of  ordnance, 
Bnn  do. 


9S 

8 


Total,  33 

FELIX  TR0U6HT0N, 

lAiwUnanU  amwumding  Roy,  Jkihf. 


mjor  gtueiiil  Brpck,  conunsnding 

the  forces  of  Upper  Camida. 


GENERAL  ORDER.  OF  GENERAL  BROCK. 

^  BEAD  QUARTERS.  DETROIT,  August  16th.  1813. 

Maior  general  Brock  has  every  reason  to  be  satisfied  with 
the  conduct  of  the  troops  he  had  the  honour  to  lead  this  mominjg 
against  the  enemy.  The  state  of  discipline  which  thev  so  emT 
nentiy  displayed,  and  the  determination  they  evinced,  to  under- 


43 

take  the  mMthaztrdovsenterprige,  decided  the  enemy,  infltiitety 
more  numerous  in  men  and  artillery,  to  propose  a  cajntulationf 
the  terms  of  which  are  herewith  inserted  for  the  information  ef 
the  troops. 

The  major  general  requests  colonel  Proctor  will  accept  hil 
thanks  for  the  assistance  he  derived  from  his  experience  and  in- 
telliffence. 

The  steadiness  and  discipline  of  the  41st  re^ment  and  the 
readiness  of  the  militia  to  follow  so  good  an  example,  were  high- 
ly conspicuous. 

The  ability  manifested  by  captain  Dixon  of  the  royal  enei- 
neers  in  the  choice  and  construction  of  the  batteries,  and  the 
high  state  of  the  royal  artillert  under  lieutenant  Troughton,  af- 
forded the  major  general  much  gratification,  and  reflects  great 
credit  on  those  officers. 

The  willing  assistance  given  by  captain  Hall  and  the  marine 
department  during  the  whole  course  of  the  service  has  been  verjf 
conspicuous,  and  the  manner  the  batteries  were  served  this  morn- 
ing evinced  a  degree  of  steadiness  highly  commendable. 

Lieutenant  Dewar,  deputy  assistwt  quarter  master  general, 
afforded  strong  proof  of  the  local  knowledge  he  has  acquired  of  the 
country,  of  an  unremitting  attention  to  nis  duty ;  and  the  care 
and  regularity  with  whfch  the  troops  were  transported  across  the 
river,  must  in  a  like  degree  be  ascrioed  to  his  zeal  for  the  service. 

To  lieutenant  colonel  St.  George,  majors  Tallon  and  Chambers, 
who  commanded  brigades,  every  degree  of  praise  is  due  for  their 
unremitting  zeal  and  attention  to  their  respective  commands. 
The  detachment  of  the  royal  Newfoundland  regiment,  under  the 
command  of  major  Moekler,  is  deserving  every  praise  for  theif 
steadiness  in  the  field,  as  well  as  when  embarkea  in  the  king's 
vessels. 

The  major  general  cannot  forego  this  opportunity  of  express- 
ins  his  admiration  at  the  conduct  of  the  several  companies  of 
muitia  who  so  handsomely  volunteered  to  undei^  the  fatigues  of 
a  journey  of  several  hunm*ed  miles  to  eo  to  the  rescue  of  an  inva- 
ded district ;  and  he  requests  migor  Salmon,  captains  Hatt,  Stew- 
ard, Boswick  and  Robinson,  will  assure  the  officers  and  men  under 
their  respective  commands,  that  their  services  have  been  duly 
appreciated  and  will  never.be  forgotten. 

The  major  general  is  happy  to  acknowledge  the  able  assistance 
he  has  derived  from  the  zeal  and  local  information  of  lieutenant 
colonel  NiohoU,  actinc  quarter  master  general  of  militia. 

Tohis  personal  staff  the  major  generalfeels  himself  under  much 
•bligation ;  and  he  requests  lieutenant  oolonel  Macdonald,  majori 
Olegg  and  Givens,  will  be  assured  that  their  zealous  exertions 
have  made  too  deep  an  impression  on  his  mind  ever  to  be  foigot* 
ten. 

The  conduct  of  the  Indians  under  colonel  Elliot,  captain  M* 
Kee,  and  the  ethera  of  Ihdat  departmient,  joined  to  that  of  the 


44 

fffillant  and  brave  chiefs  of  their  respective  tribes,  has  since  the 
eommencementuf  the  war  been  marked  with  acts  of  true  heroism* 
and  in  nothing  can  they  t-^stify  more  strongly  their  love  to  the 
king,  their  great  father,  than  in  followin^j  the  dictates  of  honour 
and  humanity,  by  which  they  have  been  hitherto  actuated.  Two 
fortifications  have  already  been  captured  from  the  enemy  with- 
out a  drop  of  blood  being  shed  by  the  hand  of  the  Indian ;  the 
iuBtaKt  th«  enemy  submitted,  his  lite  became  sacred. 

By  order  of  Major  General  Brook. 

J.  B.  GhEGG,capt,^,D,  C. 


CAPTURE  OP  THE  ALERT. 


3IR, 


AT  SEA,  Au8;urt  17,  1812. 


I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  that  upon  the  13th,  his  Bri- 
tannic majesty's  sloop  of  war  Alert,  Captain  T.  L.  P.  Langhorne, 
ran  down  on  our  weather  quarter,  gave  three  cheers  and  com- 
menced an  action  (if  so  tnfling;  a  skirmish  deserves  the  name,) 
and  after  eight  minutes  firing  si.  ^k  her  colours  with  seven  feet 
water  in  her  hold,  much  cut  to  pieces,  and  three  ;nen  wounded. 

I  need  not  inform  you  that  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  Essex 
behaved  as  I  trust  all  Americans  will  in  such  cases,  and  it  is  only 
to  be  regretted  that  so  much  zeal  and  activity  could  not  have 
been  displayed  on  an  occasion  that  would  have  done  them  more 
honour.  The  Essex  has  not  received  the  slightest  injury.  The 
Alert  was  out  for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  Hornet. 

I  have  the  honour,  &c. 

D.  PORTER 
Hon.  FmiI  Hamilton. 


SIR, 


FORT  GEORGE,  August  26, 1812. 


Enclosed  are  the  articles  of  capitulation,  by  which  tiie  Fort 
of  Detroit  has  been  surrendered  to  major  general  Brock,  com- 
manding his  Britannic  majesty's  forces  in  Upper  Canada,  and 
by  which  the  troops  have  become  prisoners  of  war.  My  situation 
at  present  forbids  me  from  detailing  the  particular  causes  which 
have  led  to  this  unfortunate  event.  I  will,  however,  generally 
observe,  that  after  the  surrender  of  Michilimakinac,  almost  every 
tribe  and  nation  of  Indians,  excepting  a  part  of  the  Miamies 
and  Delawares,  north  from  beyona  Lake  Superior,  west  from 
be}  '^nd  the  Mississippi,  south  from  the  Ohio  and  Wabash,  and 
east  from  every  part  of  Upper  Canada,  and  from  all  the  inter- 
mediate country,  joined  in  open  hostility,  under  the  British 


45 


standard,  against  the  army  I  commanded,  contrary  to  the  most 
solemn  assurances  of  a  large  portion  of  them  to  remain  neutral: 
even  the  Ottawa  chiefs  from  Arbecrotch,  who  formed  the  delega- 
tion to  Washington  the  last  summer,  in  whose  friendship  I  know 
you  had  great  confidence,  are  among  the  hostile  tribes,  and  seve- 
ral of  them  distinguished  leaders.    Among  the  vast  number  of 
chiefs  who  led  the  hostile  bands,  Tecamseh,  Marpot,  Logaa, 
Walk-in-the-water,  Split  Log,  &c.  are  considered  the  principals. 
This  numerous  assemblage  of  savages,  under  the  entire  influence 
and  direction  of  the  British  commander,  enabled  him  totally  ti» 
obstruct  the  only  communication  which  I. had  with  my  country. 
This  communication  had  been  opened  from  the  settlements  m 
tiie  state  of  Ohio,  two  hundred  miles  through  a  wilderness,  by 
the  fatigues  of  the  army,  which  I  marched  to  the  frontier  on  the 
river  Detroit.    The  body  of  the  lake  being  commanded  by  the 
British  armed  ships,  and  the  shores  and  rivers  by  gun  boats,  the 
army  was  totally  deprived  of  all  communication  by  water.    Oa 
this  extensive  road  it  depended  for  transportation  of  provisions, 
military  stores,  medicine,  clothing,  and  every  other  supply,  on 
pack  horses— all  its  operations  were  successnil  until  its  arrival 
at  Detroit,  and  in  a  few  days  it  passed  into  the  enemy's  country, 
and  all  opposition  seemed  to  drop  before  it.    One  month  it  re- 
mained m  possession  of  this  country,  and  was  fed  from  its  re- 
sources.   In  different  directions,  detachments  penetrated  sixty 
mii«s  in  the  settled  part  of  the  province,  ana  the  inhabitants 
seemed  satisfied  with  the  change  of  situation,  which  appeared  to 
be  taking  place ;  the  militia  from  Amherstburg  were  daily  de- 
serting, and  the  whole  country,  then  under  the  controul  of  the 
army,  was  asking  for  protection.    The  Indians,  generally,  in  the 
first  instance,  appeared  to  be  neutralized,  and  determined  to 
take  no  part  in  tne  contest.    The  fort  of  Amherstburg  was>  eigh- 
teen miles  below  my  encampment.    Not  a  single  cannon  or  mor- 
tar was  on  wheels  suitable  to  carry  before  this  place.    I  consult- 
ed my  officers,  whether  i{  ^as  expedient  to  make  an  attempt  on 
it  with  the  bayonet  alone,  without  cannon,  to  make  a  break  in 
the  first  instance.    The  council  I  called  was  of  the  opinion  it 
was  not.  The  greatest  industry  was  exerted  in  making  prepara- 
tion, and  it  was  not  until  the  7th  of  August,  that  two  24  poun- 
ders, and  three  howitz'^rs  were  prepared.    It  was  then  my  inten- 
tion to  have  proceeded  on  the  enterprize.  While  the  operations  of 
the  army  were  delayed  by  these  preparations,  the  clouds  of 
adversity  had  been  for  some  time  and  seemed  still  thickly  to  be 
gathering  around  me.    The  surrender  of  Michilimackinac  open- 
ed the  northern  hive  of  Indians,  and  they  were  swarming  down  in 
every  direction.    Reinforcements  from  Niagara  had  arrived  at 
Amherstbui^  under  the  command  of  colonel  Proctor.    Th^e  de- 
sertion of  the  militia  ceased.    Besides  the  reinforcements  that 
came  by  water,  I  received  information  of  a  very  considerable 
forrc  under  the  command  of  major  ChamberS|  c»^  the  river.  Le 


,  >  ■  ■ 


rv'li 


1 1 


\i  ..•■■ ' 


1  "';  '.■,■•■■  ' 

t  1! 

'  ■      ,    i  ■  ■ ,       '; 

J  Mill  o 

49 

VKiich,  with  four  field  pieces,  and  collecting  the  militia  on  hit 
route,  evidently  destined  for  Amherstburg;  and  in  addition  t$ 
tiiia  combination,  and  increase  of  force,  contrary  to  all  my  ex- 

Ectations,  the  Wjandots,  Chippewas,  Ottawas,  Pottawatamies* 
unsees,  Delawares,  &c.  with  whom  I  had  the  most  friendly 
intercourse,  at  once  passed  over  to  Amherstbui|;,  and  accepted 
the  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife.  There  being  now  a  vast 
number  of  Indians  at  the  British  post,  they  were  sent  to  the  river 
Huron,  Brownstown,  and  Maguago  to  intercept  my  communica- 
tion. To  open  this  communication,  I  detached  major  Van  Hor« 
of  the  Ohio  volunteers,  with  two  hundred  men,  to  proceed  as  far 
as  the  river  Raisin,  under  an  expectation  he  would  meet  captaiA 
Brush  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  volunteers  from  the  atat* 
of  Ohio,  and  a  ouantity  of  provision  for  the  army.  An  ambuacadt 
was  formed  at  Brownstown,  and  maior  Van  Horn's  detachment 
defeated  and  returned  to  camp  witnout  effecting  the  object  af 
file  expedition. 

In  my  letter  of  the  7th  instant  you  hare  the  particulars  of  thai 
transaction,  with  a  return  of  the  killed  and  wounded.  Under 
this  sudden  and  unexpected  change  of  things,  and  havins;  received 
in  express  from  general  Hall,  commanding  opposite  the  British 
shore  on  the  Niaga^-a  river,  by  which  it  appeared  that  there  wai 
no  prospect  of  a  co-operation  from  that  quarter,  and  the  two  se- 
nior officers  of  the  artillery  havine  stated  to  me  an  opinion  that 
it  would  be  extremely  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  pass  th« 
Turkey  river  and  river  Aux  Cannard,  with  the  24  pounaers,  and 
that  they  could  not  be  transported  by  water,  as  the  ^ueeii  Char- 
latte,  which  carried  eighteen  24  pounders,  lay  in  the  nver  Detroit 
above  the  mouth  of  the  river  Aux  Cannard ;  and  as  it  am»eared 
indisjpensibly  necessary  to  open  the  communication  to  the  river 
Raisin  and  the  Miami,  1  found  myself  compelled  to  suspend  the 
operation  against  Amherstburg,  and  concentrate  the  main  forc6 
•f  the  army  at  Detroit  Fully  intendipg;  at  that  time,  after  the 
communication  was  opened,  to  re-croes  the  river,  and  pursue  the 
object  at  Amherstburg,  and  stronely  desirous  of  continuing  pro- 
tection  to  a  very  large  number  of  uie  inhabitants  of  Upper  Cana- 
da, who  had  voluntarily  aci;epted  it  under  my  prociamatioii«  I 
established  a  fortress  on  tlie  banks  of  the  river,  a  litde  below 
Detroit,  calculated  for  a  garrison  of  300  men.  On  the  evening  of 
the  7di,  and  morning  of  the  8th  instant,  the  army,  excepting  the 
garrison  of  850  infantry,  and  a  corns  ^  artillmsts,  all  under  the 
command  of  major  Denny  of  the  Onio  folunteers,  re-crossed  the 
river,  and  encamped  at  Detroit.  |n  pursuance  of  tiie  object  of 
mening  the  communication,  on  which  1  contidered  the  existence 
01  the  anny  depending,  a  detachment  of  600  men,  under  the 
command  or  lieutenant  colonel  Miller,  was  immediately  ordered. 
For  a  particular  account  of  the  proceedinn  nf  thia  detachments 
and  the  memorable  battle  which  was  fougnt  at  Maguwo,  which 
reiecte  the  highest  honour  on  the  American  enns,  I  refer  yon  t* 


41 

»j  letttr  of  the  ISth  of  August  instant,  a  dnplicate  of  which  i* 
enclosed,  marked  G.  Nothing  however  but  honour  was  acquired 
by  this  victory ;  and  it  is  a  painful  consideration,  that  the  olood 
of  aeventy-five  gallant  men  could  o  "y  open  the  communication* 
as  far  as  the  points  of  their  bayon^cw  extended.  The  necessary 
care  of  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  a  very  severe  storm  of  rain, 
rendered  iheir  return  to  camp  indispensibly  necessary  for  their 
own  comfort.  Captain  Brush,  with  his  small  detachment,  and 
the  provisions  being  still  at  the  river  Raisin,  and  in  a  situation  to 
be  destroyed  by  the  savages,  on  the  13th  instant  in  the  eveain^ 
I  permitted  colonels  M'Arthur  and  Cass  to  select  from  their 
regiment  four  hundred  of  their  most  effective  men,  and  proceed 
an  upper  route  tiirough  the  woods,  which  I  had  sent  an  express 
to  captain  Brush  to  take,  and  had  directed  the  militia  of  the  river 
Kaisin  to  accompany  him  as  a  reinforcement.  The  force  oi  the 
enemy  continually  increasing,  and  the  necessity  of  opening  the 
communication,  and  actinc  on  the  defensive,  becoming  more  ap- 
parent, I  had,  previous  to  detachinc  colonels  M'Arthur  and  Cast 
•n  the  nth  instant,  evacuated  and  destroyed  the  fort  on  the  op- 
posite bank.  On  the  13th,  in  the  evening,  eeneral  Brock  arrived 
at  AmherstbuTK  about  the  hour  that  colonels  M'Arthur  and  Caif 

8 arched,  of  which  at  that  time  I  had  received  no  information, 
n  the  15th  I  received  a  summons  from  him  to  s'urender  fort 
Detroit,  of  which  the  paper  marked  A  is  a  copy.  Mjr  answer 
is  inarked  B.  At  this  time  I  had  received  no  information  from 
•olonels  M'Arthur  and  Cass.  An  express  was  immediately 
•ent,  strongly  escorted,  with  orders  for  tnem  to  return.  On  tro 
15thw  as  soon  as  general  Brock  received  mv  letter,  his  batteriea 
opened  on  the  town  and  fort,  and  continued  until  eveniiu;.  In  the 
evening  ^1  the  British  shiiM  of  war  came  nearly  as  far  up  the 
river  as  Sandwich,  three  miles  below  Detroit  At  dav  (i^t  on 
the  l6th  (at  which  time  I  had  received  no  information  from  colo- 
nels M'Arthur  and  Cass,  my  expresses,  sent  the  evening  before, 
and  in  the  night  having  been  prevented  frcm  passing  bv  numerous 
bodies  of  Inaians)  the  cannonade  re-commenced,  andi  in  a  short 
time  I  received  information,  that  the  British  army  and  Indians, 
were  landing  below  the  Spring  Wells,  under  the  cover  of  their 
ships  of  war.  At  this  time  the  whole  effective  force  at  my  dis- 
poMl  at  Detroit  did  not  exceed  eight  hundred  men.  Beinc  new 
troops,  and  unaccustomed  to  a  oamp  lifct ;  having  performed  a  la- 
borious march ;  having  been  encsced  in  a  number  of  battles  and 
skirmishes,  in  which  many  haa  fallen,  and  more  had  received 
wounds,  in  addition  to  which  a  large  number  being  sick,  and  un- 
provided with  miidicine,  and  the  comforts  necessary  for  their  sit- 
uation i  are  the  generii  causes  by  which  the  strength  of  the 
army  was  thus  reduced.  The  fort  at  this  time  was  filled  mA 
women,  children,  and  the  old  and  decrepid  people  of  the  town 
and  country ;  they  were  unsafe  in  the  town,  as  it  was  entirely 
open  and  vsposed  to  the  asetty's  batteries.   Back  af  the  fari^ 


I  lit 


sV' 


;^ 


>;! 


hi 

t4 

;    . 

^,1 

jf  :;. 

1 

m 

Ji ..! 

48 

above  or  below  it,  there  wm  no  Aafety  for  them  on  aeeount  of  (he 
Indians.  In  the  first  instance  the  enemy's  fire  was  principally 
directed  against  our  batteries ;  towards  the  close,  it  was  directed 
against  the  fort  alone,  und  almost  every  shot  and  shell  had  their 
effect. 

It  now  became  no'^.essary  either  to  fight  the  enemy  in  the  field  ; 
collect  the  whole  ^orce  in  the  fort ;  or  propose  terms  of  capitula- 
tion. I  could  not  have  carried  into  the  field  more  than  six  hun- 
dred  men,  and  left  any  adequate  force  in  the  fort.  There  were 
landed  at  that  time  oi  the  enemy  a  regular  force  of  much  more 
than  that  number,  and  twice  the  number  of  Indians.  Consider- 
ing this  great  inequality  of  force  I  did  not  think  it  expedient  to 
actopt  the  first  measure.  The  second  must  have  been  attended 
with  a  great  sacrifice  of  blood,  and  no  possible  advantage,  be- 
cause the  contest  could  not  have  been  sustained  more  than  a  day 
for  the  want  of  powder,  and  but  a  very  few  days  for  the  want  of 

Erovisions.  In  addition  to  this,  colonels  M'Arthurand  Cass  would 
ave  been  in  a  most  hazardous  situation.    I  feared  nothing  but 
the  last  alternative.  I  have  dared  to  adopt  it.  I  well  know  thehigh 
responsibility  of  the  measure,  and  take  the  whdle  of  it  on  my- 
•elt.    1^  was  dictated  by  a  sense  of  duty,  and  a  full  conviction  of 
its  expediency.    The  bands  of  savages  which  had  then  joined  the 
Britisn  force  were  numerous  beyond  any  former  example.  Their 
numbers  have  since  increased,  and  the  history  of  the  barbarians 
of  the  north  of  Europe  does  not  furnish  examples  of  moi'e  gree- 
dy violenci-t  than  these  Mvaces  have  exhibited.    A  large  portion 
of  the  bra^e  and  gallant  ^cers  and  men  I  commanded  would 
cheerfoUy  have  contested  until  the  last  cartridge  had  been  ex- 
pended, and  the  bayonets  worn  to  the  sockets,    f  could  not  con- 
sent to  the  ^sele88  sacrifice  of  such  briive  men,  when  I  knew  it 
was  impossible  for  me  to  sustain  my  situation.    It  was  impossi* 
ble'in  the  nature  of  things  thai  an  army  could  have  been  fur- 
nished with  the  necessary  supplies  of  provision,  militanr  stores, 
clothing  and  comforts  for  the  sick,  or  pack  horses,  through  a 
wildaness  of  two  hundred  miles,  filled  with  hostile  savages. 
It  was  impossible,  sir,  that  this  little  army,  worn  down  by  fa- 
tigue, by  sickness,  by  wounds,  and  deaths,  could  have  supported 
itaelf  not  only  against  the  collected  force  of  all  the  northern 
nations  of  Indians ;  but  against  the  united  strength  of  Upper 
Canada,  whose  population  consists  of  more  than  twenty  times 
the  number  contained  in  the  territory  of  Michigan,  aidea  by  the 
principal  part  of  the  regular  forces  of  the  province,  ana  the 
wealth  and  influence  of  Ine  north-west  and  otner  trailing  estab- 
lishments among  the  Indians,  which  have  in  their  ei^ployment, 
and  under  their  entire  controul,  more  than  two  thousand  white 
men.    Before  I  close  this  despatch,  it  is  a  duty  I  owe  to  my 
respectable  associates  in  command,  colonels  M'A^ur,  Findlay, 
Cass,  and  lieutenant  colonel  Miller,  to  express  my  obligations  t* 
them  for  the  prompt  and  judicious  manner  they  have  perforined 


49 

their  respective  duties.  If  aught  has  taken  place  during  the 
cam  paiirn,  which  Im  honourable  to  the  army,  these  officers  are 
entitled  to  a  large  share  of  it.  If  the  last  act  should  be  disap- 
proved, no  part  of  the  censure  belongs  to  them.  I  have  likewise 
to  express  my  obligation  to  general  Taylor,  who  has  performed 
the  duty  of  ((uarter  master  veneral,  for  his  great  exertions  ia 

Itrocuring  every  thing  in  his  department  which  it  was  possible  to 
iirnish  Tor  the  convenience  of  the  army ;  likewise  to  brieade 
major  Jessup  for  the  correct  and  punctual  manner  in  which  he 
has  discharged  his  duty;  and  to  the  army  generally  for  their 
exertions,  and  the  zeal  they  have  manifested  for  the  public  in- 
terest. The  death  of  Dr.  Foster  soon  after  he  arrived  at  Detroit, 
was  a  severe  misfortune  to  the  army<(«it  was  increased  by  the 
capture  of  the  Chachago  packet,  by  wnich  the  medicine  and  hos- 
pital stores  were  lost.  He  was  commencing  the  best  arrange- 
mentb  in  the  department  of  which  he  was  the  principal,  with  the 
very  small  means  he  possessed.  I  was  likewise  deprived  of  the 
necessarv  services  of  captain  Partridge  by  sickness,  the  only 
officer  of  the  corps  of  engineers  attached  to  the  army.  All  the 
officers  and  men  have  gone  to  their  respective  homes,  excepting 
the  4th  United  States'  regiment,  and  a  small  part  of  the  Ist, 
and  captain  Dyson's  company  of  artillery.  Captain  Dyson's 
company  wa^  left  at  Amherstourg,  and  the  others  are  with  me 
prisoners — they  amount  to  about  three  hundred  and  forty.  I  have 
only  to  solicit  an  investigation  of  my  conduct,  as  early  as  my 
situation  and  the  state  of  things  will  admit ;  and  to  add  the 
further  request,  that  the  government  will  not  be  unmindful  of  my 
associates  in  captivity,  and  of  the  families  of  those  brave  men 
who  have  fallen  iu  the  contest. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully. 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

WM.  HULL, 

Brig.  Oen.  commanding  tfu  A*,  ff*  Arm}f  U,  9, 

Hon.  W.  Enstis,  Secretary  of 

the  Department  of  War. 


UNITED  STATES'  FMGATE  CONSTITUTION, 
off  Boston  Light,  August  30, 181%. 

SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  on  the  19th  instant,, 
at  2  P.  M.  being  in  latitude  41,  42,  lon^tude  55^  48,  with  the 
the  Constitution  under  my  command,  a  sail  was  discovered  from 
the  mast-head  bearing  E.  by  S.  or  E.  S.  E.  but  at  such  a  distance 
we  could  not  tell  what  she  was.  All  sail  was  instantly  made  in 
ehase,  and  soon  found  we  came  up  wHh  ner.    At  3  P*  M*  cottl# 

1 


I 


i 


I    X 


im^^ 


50 

plainly  see  that  the  was  a  ship  on  the  starboard  tack,  under  eaiy 
•ail,  close  on  a  wind ;  at  halt  past  3  P.  M.  inude  her  out  to  be  a 
ft-isate ;  continued  the  chase  until  we  were  within  about  three 
miles,  when  I  ordered  the  light  sails  taken  in,  the  courses  hauled 
up,  and  the  ship  cleared  for  action.  At  this  time  the  chase  had 
backed  his  main  top-sail,  waiting 'for  us  to  come  down.  As  sooo 
as  the  Constitution  was  ready  for  action,  I  bore  down  with  an 
intention  to  bring  him  to  close  action  immediately ;  but  on  our 
coming  within  gun-shot  she  ^ave  us  a  broadside  and  filled  away* 
and  wore,  giving  us  a  broadside!  on  the  other  tack,  but  without  ef- 
fect ;  her  shot  falling  short.  She  continued  wearing  and  man- 
jBUvreing  for  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  to  get  a  raking 
position,  but  finding  she  could  not,  she  bore  up,  and  run  under 
top-sails  and  ^ib,  with  the  wind  on  the  quarter.  Immediately 
made  sail  to  bring  the  ship  up  with  her,  and  5  minutes  before  6 
P.  M.  being  alone  side  within  half  pistol  shot,  we  commenced  a 
heavy  fire  trom  aU  ourguns,  double  shotted  with  round  and  grape, 
and  so  well  directed  were  they,  and  so  warmly  kept  up,  that  in 
15  minutes  his  mizen-mast  went  by  the  board,  and  his  main-yard 
in  the  slings,  and  the  hull,  rigging  and  sails  very  much  torn  to 

Itieces.  The  fire  was  kept  up  with  equal  warmth  for  15  minutes 
onger,  when  his  main-mast  and  fore-mast  went,  taking  with  them 
every  spar,  excepting  the  bowsprit ;  on  seeing  this  we  ceased 
firing,  so  that  in  30  minutes  after  we  got  fairly  along  side  the 
enemy  she  surrendered,  and  had  not  a  spar  stanaing,  and  her  hull 
below  and  above  water  so  shattered,  that  a  few  more  broadsides 
must  have  carried  her  down. 

After  informing  you  that  so  fine  a  ship  as  the  Guerriere,  com- 
manded by  an  able  and  experienced  officer,  had  been  totally  dis- 
masted, and  otherwise  cut  to  pieces,  so  as  to  make  her  not  worth 
towing  into  port,  in  the  short  space  of  30  minutes,  you  can  have 
no  doubt  of  the  gallantry  and  good  conduct  of  the  officers  and 
ship's  company  I  have  the  honour  to  command.  It  only  remains, 
therefore,  for  me  to  assure  you,  that  they  all  fought  with  great 
bravery ;  and  it  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  say,  that  from  the 
smallest  boy  in  the  ship  to  the  oldest  seamaa,  not  a  look  of  fear 
was  seen.  They  all  went  into  action,  giving  three  cheers,  and 
requesting  to  be  laid  clt»se  along  side  the  etiemy. 

Enclosed  I  have  the  honour  to  send  you  a  list  of  killed  and 
wounded  on  board  the  C«oMitvtioB,  and  a  report  of  the  damages 
she  has  sustained ;  alsv,  a  list  of  the  killed  and  wounded  on  board 
the  enemy,  with  his  quarter  bill,  &c. 

'I  have  the  honour  to  be, 

Witk  very  great  respect. 

Sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

ISAAC  HULL. 

Hie  H<m.  Paul  Haoultoa,  &c. 


mUd  and  wounded  on  hoard  the  United  Btate»*  frigate  ConaH- 
iution,  /mac  Hull,  Enqr.  Captain,  in  the  action  wtth  hit  Bri- 
tannic majeitjf^g  frigate  Ouerriere,  Jamee  A,  JDaereu,  Eiqr, 
Captain,  on  the  20th  of  Auguitt  181!2. 

Ulled— W.  8.  Bush,  lieutenant  of  Marines,  and  lix  Mamen,  T 

Wounded— lieutenant  C.  Morris,  Master  J.  C.  Aylwin,  four  seamen,  one 
nuuine,  7 


Total  killed  and  wounded. 


14 


IT.  8.  frigate  Constitution,  Aug.  31, 1813. 

ISAAC  HULL,  Captain, 
T.  L  CHEW,  Purser, 

Killed  and  wounded  on  hoard  the  Chterriere, 

Killed— 3  oflUcers,  12  seamen  and  marines,  15 

Wounded— J.  A  Dacres,  captun,  4  oiHcers,  57  seamen  and  marines,       63 
Hissing, — lieutenants  Pullman  and  Koberts,  and  32  seamen  and  marines, 
supposed  to  have  gone  overboard  with  the  masts,  24 

Total  killed,  wounded  and  missmg,       101 


The  Constitution  rates  44  guns,  and  mounted  55,  her  comple- 
ment 450  men.  The  Ouerriere  rates  38  guns,  and  mounted  49* 
her  complement  300  men. 

Three  days  before  the  enngement  with  the  Constitution,  the 
Ouerriere  spoke  the  John  Adams,  captain  Fash,  from  Liverpool, 
and  endorsed  on  his  register  the  followine  lines : 

"  Captain  Dacres,  command«r  tA'  his  Briunnic  majesty's  frioate 
Ouerriere,  of  44  guns,  pr«i»ents  his  compliments  to  commodore 
Rodgers,  of  the  United  States  frigate  President,  and  will  be  very 
happy  to  meet  him,  or  •■«  other  American  frigate  of  equal  force 
to  the  President,  off  S««dy  Hook,  for  the  purpose  of  having  a 
few  minutes  tete-aAet**'" 

Captain  Hull  saved  him  the  trouble  of  going  so  far  for  tke 
desired  tete-a-tete,  which  resulted  not  quite  to  uie  satisfactiwa 
anil  pleasure  of  Captain  Dacres. 


Extract  of  a  Utter  fron  Captain  HuU  to  the  Secretary  of  tha 
JWivy,  dated  August  30,  1813. 

"I cannot ^but make  you  acquainted  with  tiie  very  great  assis- 
tance I  received  from  that  vau»d>le  officer,  lieutenant  Morris,  in 
bringing  the  ship  into  action,  and  in  working  her  whilst  alons  side 
the  enemy,  ana  I  am  extremely  sorry  to  state  that  he  is  badly 
wounded,  being  ^hot  through  the  body ;  we  have  yet  hopet  of  hfs 


,.fS1 


ill 


ill] 


%. 


Sil 

recovery*  when  I  am  sure  he  will  receire  the  thanks  and  grati" 
tude  of  his  country,  fqr  this  and  the  many  gallant  acts  he  has 
done  in  its  service.  Were  I  to  name  any  particular  officer  as 
havins  been  more  useful  than  the  rest,  I  should  do  them  great 
injustice ;  they  all  fought  bravely,  and  gave  me  every  possible 
assistance  that  I  coulcT  wish.  I  am  extremely  sorry  to  state  to 
you  the  loss  of  lieutenant  Bush,  of  marines:  he  fell  at  the  head 
of  his  men  in  getting  ready  to  board  the  enemy.  In  him  our 
country  has  lost  a  valuable  and  brave  officer.  After  the  fall  of 
lieutenant  Bush,  lieutenant  Con  tee  of  the  corps,  took  command 
of  the  marines,  and  I  have  pleasure  in  saying  that  his  conduct 
was  that  of  a  brave,  good  officer,  and  the  marines  behaved  with 
great  coolness  and  courage  during  the  action,  and  annoyed  the 
enemy  very  much  whilst  she  was  under  our  stern." 


UNITED  STATES' 


I 


ll 


SIR, 


FRIGATE  PRESIDENT, 
BOSTON,  September  1, 1812. 


I  had  the  pleasure  of  informing  you  of  the  arrival  of  the 
Squadron,  and  now  to  state  the  result  and  particulars  of  our 
cruise. 

Previous  to  leaving  New  York  on  the  21st  of  June,  ;I  heard 
that  a  British  convoy  nad  sailed  from  Jamaica  for  England,  on  or 
about  the  20th  of  the  preceding  month,  and  on  being  informed 
of  the  declaration  of  war  against  Great  Britain,  I  determined  in 
the  event  of  commodore  Decatur  joining  me  with  the  United 
States,  Congress  and  Argus,  as  you  had  directed,  to  go  in  pur- 
suit of  them.  The  United  States,  Con^ss  and  Argus,  did  join 
me  on  the  21st,  with  which  vessels,  this  ship  and  the  Hornet,  I 
accordingly  sailed  in  less  than  an  hour  after  I  had  received  your 
orders  of  the  18th  of  June,  accompani3d  by  your  official  commu- 
nication of  the  declaration  of  war. 

On  leaving  New  York,  I  shaped  our  course  south-eastwardly,  in 
the  expectation  of  falling  in  with  vessels,  by  which  I  should  hear 
of  the  before  mentioned  convoy,  and  the  following  night  met 
with  an  American  brig  that  gave  me  the  sought  for  information  : 
the  squadron  now  crowded  sail  in  pursuit;  but  the  next  morning 
was  takeu  out  of  its  course,  by  the  pursuit  of  a  British  frigate^ 
that  I  since  find  was  the  Belvidera,  relative'to  which  I  beg  leave 
to  refer  you  to  the  enclosed  extract  from  my  journal :  alter  re- 
pairing as  far  as  possible  the  injury  done  by  the  Belvidera  to 
our  spars  and  rising,  we  again  crowded  all  sail  and  resumed  our 
course  in  pursuit  of  the  convoy,  but  did  not  receive  further  in- 
telligence of  it  until  the  29th  of  June,  on  the  western  edge  of  the 
banks  of  Newfoundland,  where  we  spoke  an  American  schooner, 
the  master  of  which  reported  that  he  had  two  days  before  passed 
them  m  latitude  43,  longitude  55,  steering  to  the  eastward ;  I 


(i^r 


SSi 


wu  surprised  to  find  tiiai  the  squadron  was  still  so  far  to  the 
eastward  of  us,  but  was  urged,  however,  as  well  by  what  I  con- 
sidered my  duty,  as  by  inclination,  to  continue  the  pursuit. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  a  little  to  the  eastward  of  Newfoundland 
bank,  we  fell  in  with  quantities  of  cocoa-nut  shells,  orange  peels, 
&c.  which  indicated  that  the  convoy  were  not  far  distant,  and  we 
pursued  it  with  zeal,  although  frequently  taken  out  of  our  course 
by  vessels  it  was  necessary  to  chase,  without  gaining  any  fur- 
ther intelligence  until  the  9th  of  July,  in  latitude  45,  30,  longi- 
tude 23,  we  captured  the  British  private  armed  brig  Dolphin,  of 
Jersey,  and  was  informed  by  some  of  her  crew  that  they  had  seen 
the  convoy  the  preceding  evening,  the  weather  was  not  clear  at 
the  time,  but  that  they  had  counted  85  sail,  and  that  the  force 
charged  with  its  protection  consisted  of  one  two  decker,  a  frigate, 
a  sloop  of  war,  and  a  brig. 

This  was  the  last  intelligence  I  received  of  the  before  men- 
tioned convoy,  although  its  pursuit  was  continued  until  the  ISth 
of  July,  being  then  within  18  or  20  hours  sail  of  the  British 
channel.  From  this  we  steered  for  the  island  of  Madeira,  pas- 
sed close  by  it  on  the  21st  of  July,  thence  near  the  Azores,  and 
saw  Corvo  and  Flores  ;  thence  steered  for  the  banks  of  New- 
foundland ;  and  from  the  latter  ^lace  (by  the  way  of  Cape  Sable) 
to  this  port,  it  having  become  indispensibly  necessary  (by  the 
time  we  reached  our  own  coast)  to  make  the  first  convenient  port 
in  the  United  States  ;  owing,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  to  that  wretch- 
ed disease  the  scurvy,  having  made  its  appearance  on  board  of 
the  vessels,  most  generally  to  a  degree  senously  alarming. 

From  ^he  western  part  of  the  banks  of  Newfoundland  to  our 
making  the  island  of  Madeira,  the  weather  was  such,  at  least 
six  days  out  of  seven,  as  to  obscure  from  our  discovery,  every 
object  that  we  did  not  pass  within  four  or  five  miles  of,  and  in- 
deed for  several  days  together  the  fog  was  so  thick  as  to  prevent 
our  seeing  each  other,  even  at  a  cable's  length  asunder,  more  than 
twice  or  thrice  in  twenty-four  hours. 

From  the  time  of  our  leaving  the  United  States  until  our  ar- 
rival here  we  chased  every  vessel  we  saw,  and  you  will  not  be 
a  little  astonished  when  I  inform  you  that,  although  we  brought 
to  every  thing  we  did  chase,  with  the  exception  of  four  vessels, 
we  only  made  seven  captures  and  one  re-capture. 

It  is  truly  an  unpleasant  task  to  be  obligea  to  make  a  commu- 
nication thus  barren  of  benefit  to  our  country :  the  only  consola- 
tion I  individually  feel  on  the  occasion,  being  derived  from  our 
knowing  that  our  being  at  sea  obliged  the  enemy  to  concentrate 
a  considerable  portion  of  his  most  active  force,  and  thereby  pre- 
vented his  capturing  an  incalculable  amount  of  American  pro- 
perty that  would  otherwise  have  fallen  a  sacrifice. 

I  am  aware  of  the  anxiety  you  must  have  exj^erienced  at  not 
hearing  from  me  for  such  a  length  of  time,  but  this  I  am  sure  you 
will  not  attribute  in  any  degree  to  neglect,  when  I  inform  you  that 


11 

f  ■ 

m 

H 

, 

iJ 

— ,-  ■.■■■ 

,  i 

1 

k^ 

til 


I 


54 

not  a  single  proper  opportunity  occurred  from  the  time  of  leaving 
the  United  States  untu  our  return. 

Mr.  Newcomb,  who  will  deliver  ^ou  this,  you  will  find  an  in- 
telligent young  man,  capable  of  giving  such  further  information 
as  you  may  deem  of  any  moment :  he  will  at  the  same  time  de- 
liver you  a  chart,  shewing  the  track  in  which  we  cruised :  an- 
nexed is  a  list  of  vessels  captured,  re-captured  and  burnt. 

The  four  vessels  we  chased  and  did  not  come  up  with  were, 
the  Belvidera,  a  small  pilot-boat  schooner,  supposed  to  be  an 
American  privateer,  the  hermaphrodite  privateer  brig,  Yankee, 
which  we  lost  sight  of  in  a  fog,  but  whose  character  we  i^terwards 
learnt,  and  a  frigate  supposed  to  be  British,  that  we  chased  on 
the  28th  ultimo  near  the  shoal  of  George's  bank,  and  should 
certainly  have  come  up  with,  had  we  have  liad  the  advantage  of 
two  hours  more  day -light. 

On  board  of  the  several  vessels  of  the  squadron  there  are  be- 
tween 80  and  100  prisoners  taken  from  the  vessels  we  captured 
during  our  late  cruise :  the  government  not  having  any  a^nt  for 
prisoners  here,  1  shall  send  them  to  commodore  Bainbndge,  to 
be  disposed  of  in  such  manner  as  best  appears  with  the  interest 
of  the  United  States,  and  which  I  hope  may  meet  your  approba- 
tion. 

With  the  greatest  respect, 
I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  R0D6ERS. 

The  Hon.  Paul  Hamilton, 

Secretaiy  of  the  Navy,  Washingfton. 

One  uhip,  four  brigs,  and  two  achoonen  were  captured  during;  thia  cmiiae. 


■'if,         f 


^Mi 


VOLUNTEERS  WANTED. 

Fellow  cmzENs  or  Ohio, 

At  a  moment  like  this,  I  appeal  to  your  valor  and  patriotiam. 
Major  general  Harrison  will  rendezvous  a  respectable  force  of 
Kentucky  volunteers  at  Dayton  on  the  15th  instant  for  a  short 
expedition.  General  Harrison  desires  to  add  to  his  troops  any 
number  of  volunteers  from  the  state  of  Ohio,  who  will  serve  on 
the  expedition  thirty  days.  All  those  who  will  embrace  this  fa- 
vourable opportunity  of  distinguishing  themselves  under  an  able 
commander,  and  of  rendering  to  the  state  of  Ohio  a  valuable  ser- 
vice, will  in  their  equipments  and  movements  follow  the  direction! 
of  General  Harrison,  hereunto  subjoined. 

R.  J.  MEIGS, 

Oovemorof  Ohio. 
Piqua,  September  3, 1812. 


5$ 


VOLUNTEERS— TO  ARMS!  TO  ARMS! 

Any  number  of  volunteers,  mounted  and  prepared  for  active 
service,  to  continue  twenty-five  or  thirty  days,  will  be  accepted, 
to  1  eudezvous  at  the  town  of  Dayton,  on  the  Great  Miami,  on 
the  lath  instant.  It  is  expected  tiiat  the  volunteers  will  provide 
themselves  with  salt  provisions,  and  a  proportion  of  biscuit ; 
those  who  are  unable  to  procure  them  will  be  furnished  if  possible. 
Those  brave  men  who  give  their  country  their  services  on  this 
occasion,  may  be  assured  that  an  opportunity  of  distinguishing 
theinselves  will  be  offered.  I  shall  command  the  expedition  in 
person ;  and  the  number  of  troops  employed  will  be  entirely 
adequate  to  the  object  proposed.  I  wish  also  to  hire  a  number 
of  substantial  horses :  fiftjr  cents  per  day  will  be  allowed  for  each 
horse  which  is  provided  with  saddle  and  bridle.  Those  patriotic 
citizens  who  are  unable  to  afford  their  personal  assistance,  will 
render  essential  service  to  their  country  oy  furnishing  the  horses, 
which  must  be  delivered  in  Dayton  on  the  14th  instwt,  to  a  per* 
son  who  will  be  authorized  to  receive  and  receipt  for  them. 

W.  H.  HARRISON. 

Head  Qvf^rters,  Piqua,  Sept.  2, 1812. 


■*"!i 


S,  W,  Culbertson  to  Mr.  Chambers^  editor  of  the   Zanesville 

Messenger,  1812. 

Mr.  Chambcrs, 

I  have  just  returned  from  Urbanna,  where  governor  Mei^  is 
at  present  with  about  1000  soldiers.  Brigadier  general  Harrison 
is  at  Piaua  with  2000  Kentucky  soldiers,  and  2000  more  in  his 
rear.  Harrison's  presence  appears  to  inspire  every  person  with 
courage,  and  makes  even  cowards  brave.  His  present  conduct 
evinces  a  determination  to  retrieve  the  injured  reputation  of  our 
country.  He  has  made  a  most  animated  speech  to  the  friendly 
natives  at  Piqua,  who  are  numerous,  and  sueing  for  a  continuance 
of  peace.  He  has  promised  them  protection,  at  the  same  time 
assuring  them  in  terrific  language,  which  struck  terror  to  idl 
hearts*  that  the  name  of  an  Indian  foe  should  not  long  be  known 
among  us — ^that  the  American  army  will  no  longer  be  commanded 
by  an  old  woman. 

Governor  Meigs's  late  patriotic  conduct  and  (exertions  appear 
to  be  rewarded  only  with  ingratitude.  He  has  ordered  the  2d 
detachment  of  militia,  which  marched  from  this  plaoe  under  the 
command  of  colonel  M*Connell,  to  be  dismissed,  having  been 
called  out  contrary  to  his  instructions  and  intentions,  which  must 
have  been  misunderstood. 

8.  W.  CULBERTSON. 


a?? 


Jl(^ 


U'-    i 


Extract  of  a  Utter jV'vmQov,  Hanrison  to  Oov,  Shettyt  dated 

HEAL^  QUARTERS,  PIQUA, 

September  5tb,  1812, 4  o'clock,  A.  M. 

**  The  British  and  Indians  have  laid  siege  to  Fort  Wayne,  per- 
haps have  taken  it.  It  is  their  object  to  push  on  to  Fort  Hamson 
and  Vincennes.  You  will,  my  dear  sir,  leave  nothing  undone,  I 
am  convi;  '.d,  to  relieve  those  places ;  but  it  must  be  done  with 
mounted  aien,  who  will  carry  the  ereater  part  6f  their  own  pro- 
visions. Miller's  regiment  I  hope  have  marched  from  the  fails ; 
it  ought  to  be  followed  bj  a  ^considerable  force  of  mounted  inea. 
I  have  already  detached  colonel  Allen,  with  900  Kentucky  infan- 
try, (towards' Fort  Wayne)  he  is  to  be  joined  by  700  mounted  me  j 
that  are  advanced  of  this ;  but  I  have  been  unable  to  move  with 
the  rest  of  the  arany  for  the  want  of  two  essential  articles ;  a 
small  supply  will  oe  up  to  day,  and  the  troops  will  be  ready  to 
march  in  two  hours.  Great  God !  what  an  opportunity  I  may 
lose  of  avenging  my  country  and  saving  the  frontiers,  for  th^ 
want  of  a  few  trifling  articles.  However,  we  are  amply  sup- 
plied with  bayonets,  and  our  spirits  are  roused  to  the  mghest 
pitch.    Indignation  and  resentment  fire  every  breast.'* 


WASHINGTON,  September  10th.  1813. 

SIR, 

Having  been  ordered  on  to  this  place  by  colonel  M'Arthur« 
for  the  purpose  of  communicating  to  the  government  such  'pv- 
ticulars  respecting  the  expedition  lately  commanded  by  briga- 
dier general  Hull  and  its  disastrous  result,  as  mi^t  ename  them 
correctly  to  appreciate  the  conduct  of  the  officers,  and  men,  and 
to  develope  the  causes  which  produced  so  foul  attain  upon  the 
national  character,  I  have  the  honour  to  submit  to  your  consider- 
ation the  following  statement  t 

When  the  forces  landed  in  Canada,  they  landed  with  an  ardent 
zeal,  and  stimulated  with  the  hqie  of  conquest  No  enemy  ap- 
peared within  view  of  us,  and  had  an  immediate  and  vigorous 
attack  been  made  upon  Maiden,  it  would  doubtless  have  fallen 
an  easy  victory.  I  knew  general  Hull  afterwards  declared  he 
regretted  this  attack  had  not  been  made,  and  he  had  every  reasoB 
to  i>elieve  success  would  have  crowned  his  efforts.  The  reasons 
(^ven  for  delaying  our  operations  was  to  mount  our  heavy  cannon* 
and  to  afford  to  tiie  Canadian  militia  time  and  epportnidty  to 
quit  an  d>noxiotts  service.  Ir^  the  course  of  two  weeks  Hie 
number  of  their  militia  who  were  embodied,  had  decreased  by 
desertion,  froia  six  hundred  to  one  hundred  men ;  and,  in  the 
course  of  three  weeks,  the  cannon  were  mounted,  the  ammuni- 
tion ixed,  and  every  preparation  made  for  an  immediate  invest- 


■  i 


w 


ment  of  the  fort.  At  a  council,  at  which  were  present  all  the 
field  offic«ni,  and  which  was  held  two  days  before  our  prepara- 
tious  were  completed,  it  was  unanimouslj  agroed  to  mau  an 
immediate  attempt  to  accomplish  the  object  of  the  expedidon. 
If  by  waiting  two  dajs  we  could  have  tiie  service  of  our  hesvj 
artillery,  it  was  ^;reed  to  wait;  if  not,  it  was  determined  to;f0 
without  it  and  attempt  the  place  bj  storm.  This  ofMnion*  ap- 
peared to  correspond,  with  the  views  of  the  general,  and  the  day 
was  appointed  for  commencing  our  march.  He  declared  tO  me 
that  he  coidsideVed  nimself  pledged  to  lead  the  army  to  Maiden. 
T^e  ammunition  was  placed  in  the  wagons ;  the  cannon  wore 
^Abarked  on  board  the  floatinjn;  batteries,  and  every  requisite 
article  was  prepared.  The  spirit  and  zeal,  the  ardor  and  anima- 
^mdis|dayedD^the  officers  and  men  on  learning  the  near  accota; 

SLshment  of  their  wishes,  were  a  sure  and  sacred  pledge,  that  91 
le  hour  of  trial  they  would  not  be  found  wanting  in  duty  to  thei**.. 
country  and  themselves.  But  a  chanee  of  measuresrin  opposi* 
lion  to  the  wishes  and  opinions  of  all  the  officers,  was  adopted 
by  the  general.  The  plan  of  attacking  Maiden  was  abandoned^ 
and  instead  of  acting  offensively,  w^  broke  up  our  camp,  e^vacu* 
ated  Canada,  and  re-crossed  the  river  in  the  nisht,  without  even 
the  shadow  of  an  enemy  to  injure  us.  We  left  to  the  tender 
mercy  of  the  enemy,  the  miserable  Canadians  who  had  joined 
us,  and  the  mrotectum  we  afforded  them  was  but  a  passport  <^ 
vengeance* .  This  fatal  and  unaccountaMe  ste]^  dispirited  the 
^roops,  and  destroyed  the  little  confidence  which  a  series  of 
timid,  irresolute  and  indecisive  measures  had  left  in  the  com* 
mandlng  officer.' 

About  the  10th  of  August,  the  enemy  received  a  Fcinforce- 
mont  of  four  hundred  men.  On  the  18th,  <Aie  commanding  of- 
ficers of  three  of  the  regiments  (the  fourth  was  absent)  were 
informed  throu^  a  medium  which  admitted  of  no  doubt,  that 
the  general  had  stated,  that  a  icapitulation  would  be  necessary. 
They  on  the  same  dav  addressed  to  governor  Meigs,  of  (Mo,  • 
lietter,  of  which  the  following  is  an  extract: 

**  Believe  all  the  bearer  will  teU  you.  Beli(  ^"^  it,  however  it 
may  astonish  yon,  as  much  as  if  told  by  one  of  us.  Even  ar 
c— —  is  t  ilked  of  by  the    1  The  bearer  will  fill 

the  vacsancy." 

The  doubtful  fate  of  this  letter  rendered  it  necessary  to  use 
circumspection  in  its  details,  and  therefore  the  blanks  were  lelfcr 
The  word  'capitulation*  will  fill  the  first,  and  'commanding  ge* 
neral^  the  other.  As  no  enemy  was  near  us,  and  aa  the  superi- 
ority of  our  force  was  manifest,  we  could  see  no  necessity  for 
capitttlatins,  nor  any  propriety  in  alluding  to  it.  We  thereton 
determined  in  the  fast  resort  to  incur  ^e  responsibility  of  dt- 
veittii^  tiie  geneiial.  qf  his  eommaird.'  1  his  plan  was  eventually* 
prevented  by  two  of  the  commanding  officers  of  regiments  being 
ordered  upon  detachments. 

8 


r--^':i 


^fs. 


'» 


\t<J. 


Ctv 


§ 


u 


t  »^ 


58 

On  th«  13th,  the  British  took  a  position  opposite  to  Detroit, 
and  beean  to  throw  up  works.  Durins;  that  and  the  two  following 
days,  tnej  pursuW  their  object  without  interruption,  and  eata* 
blished  a  batter^  for  two  18  pounders  and  an  8  inch  howitzer. 
About  sun-set  on  the  evening  of  the  14th,  a  detachment  of  350 
men,  from  the  re^ments  commanded  by  colonel  M*Arthur  and 
myself,  was  ordered  to  march  to  the  river  Raisin,  to  escort  iht 
proviftions,  v^ir.h  had  some  time  remained  there  protected  by  a 
party  under  t     command  of  captain  Brush.  .       . 

(m  Saturd:  th-i  15th,  about  1  o'clock,  a  Sag  of  truce  arrir- 
ed  from  Sirnuwich,  bearing  a  summons  from  general  Brock,  for 
the  surrender  of  the  town  and  fort  of  Detroit,  stating  he  could  no 
longer  restrain  the  fury  of  the  savages.  To  this  an  immediate 
ana  spirited  refusal  was  returned.  About  4  o'clock  their  batte- 
ries fa«gan  to  play  upon  the  town.  The  fire  was  returned  and 
continued  witnout  interruption  and  with  littie  effect  till  dark— 
their  shells  were  thrown  till  11  o'clock. 

At  day  liriit  the  firing  on  both  sides  re-commenced ;  about  the 
same  time  tne  ei  my  began  to  land  troops  at  the  Spring  Wells, 
Aree  miles  iielow  Detroit,  protected  by  two  of  their  armed  yes- 
sels.  Between  6  and  7  o'clock  they  had  effected  their  landing, 
and  immediately  took  up  their  line  of  march ;  they  moved  in  a 
close  column  of  platoons,  twelve  in  front,  upon  the  bank  of  the 
river. 

The  4th  regiment  was  stationed  in  the  fort;  the  Ohio  volun- 
teers and  a  part  of  the  Michigan  militia,  behind  some  pickets, 
in  a'situation  in  which  the  whole  flank  of  the  enemy  would  have 
been  exposed.  The  residue  of  the  Michigan  militia  were  in  the 
opper  part  of  the  town  to  resist  the  incursions  of  the  savages. 
Two  S4  pounders  loaded  with  grape  shot  were  posted  on  a  com- 
manding eminence,  ready  to  sweep  the  advancing  column.  In 
this  situation,  the  superiority  of  our  position  was  a|^parent,  and 
our  troops,  in  the  eager  expectation  of  victory,  awaited  the  u»- 
proach  of  tiie  enemy.  Not  a  sigh  of  discontent  broke  upon  t(e 
car;  not  a  look  of  cowardice  met  tiie  eye.  Every  man  expected 
a  proud  day  for  his  country,  and  each  was  anxious  that  his  indi- 
vidual exertion  should  contribute  to  the  general  result. 

When  the  head  of  their  column  arrivea  within  about  five  hun- 
dred yards  of  our  line,  orders  were  received  from  general  Hull 
Ibr  the  whole  to  retreat  to  the  fort,  and  for  the  twenty -four  poun- 
ders not  to  open  upon  the  enemy.  One  universal  bunt  of  indig- 
nation was  iqiparent  upon  the  receipt  of  this  order,  Tho':«v  whoie 
conviction  was  tiie  deliberate  result  of  a  dispassionate  examipa- 
tion  of  passing  events,  saw  the  foll^  and  impropriety  of  crowd- 
ing 1100  men  into  a  littie  work,  wluch  300  could  fuUy  man,  and 
into  which  the  shot  and  shells  of  the  enemy  were  continually 
falling.  The  fort  was  In  thia  manner  filled ;  the  men  were  dt- 
rectea  to  stack  their  arms,  and  scarcely  was  an  opportunity  af- 
forded of  moving.  ShmrUy  after  a  white  flag  was  bung  out  upon 


:.»■'<."' 


the  walls.  A  British  officer  rode  mp  to  enquire  tiie  cause.  A 
oommttnicatiun  jMssed  between  the  commanding  generals,  which 
ended  in  the  capitulation  submitted  to  youk  In  entering  into  tiiit 
capitulation,  the  general  took  counsel  from  hisown  feeungs  only. 
Not  an  officer  was  consulted.  Not  one  anticipated  a  surrender 
till  he  saw  the  white  flag  displayed.  Even  the  women  were  in- 
dignant at  so  shameful  a  degracfation  of  the  American  character, 
and  all  felt  as  they  should  have  felt,  but  he  who  hetd.in  his  handt 
the  reins  of  authority. 

Our  morning  report  of  that  morning  made  our  effective  men 
present  fit  for  duty  1060,  without  including  the  detachment  be- 
fore  alluded  to,  and  without  including  300  of  the  Michigan  mili- 
ti?  on  duty.  About  dark  on  Sunday  evening  the  detachment  sent 
to  escort  the  provisions  received  orders  from  general  Hull  to  re- 
turn with  as  much  expedition  as  possible.  About  ten  o'clock 
the  next  day  they  arrived  within  sight  of  Detroit.  Had  a  firing 
been  h^^ard,  or  any  resistance  visible,  they  would  have  imme- 
diately advanced  uid  attacked  the  rear  of  the  enemy.  The  si* 
tuation  in  which  tliis  detachment  was  placed,  althouni  the  result 
of  accident,  was  the  best  for  annoying  the  enemy  ana  cutting  off 
his  retreat  that  could  have  been  selected.  With  his  raw  troopt 
enclosed  between  two  fires  and  no  hopes  ot  "cour,  it  is  hazard- 
ing little  to  say»  that  very  few  would  have  escaped. 

I  have  been  informed  by  colonel  Findley,  wno  saw  the  return 
mf  the  quarter  master  genend  the  day  after  the  surrender,  that 
their  whole  force  of  every  description,  white,  red  and  black,  waa 
1030.  They  had  twenty-nine  platoons,  twelve  in  a  platoon,  of 
men  dressed  in  uniform.  Manv  of  these  were  evidently  Cana- 
dian militia.  Tlie  rest  of  their  militia  increased  their  white 
force  to  about  seven  hundred  men. 

The  number  of  their  Indians  could  not  be  ascertained  with  any 
degree  of  precifeion  ;.not  many  were  visible.  And  in  the  event  of 
an  attack  upon  the  town  and  fort,  it  was  a  species  of  fc  '<'2e  whidh 
could  have  aflbrded  no  material  advantage  to  the  enemy. 

In  endeavpuring  to  appreciate  the  motives  and  to  investigate 
the  causes  which  led  to  an  event  so  unexpected  rjid  dithimoura- 
ble,  it  is  impossible  to  find  any  solution  in  the  relative  strem^gth  of 
the  contenoing  parties,  or  in  the  measures  of  resistance  in  our. 
power.  That  we  were  far  superior  to  the  enemy ;  that  upon  any 
ordinary  principles  of  calculation,  we  could  have  defeatcid  them, 
the  wounded  and  indignant  feelings  of  every  man  there  will  testify. 

A  few  days  before  the  surrenler,  I  was  informed  by  genenu 
Hull,  we  had  400  rounds  of  24  pound  shot  fixed,  and  about  lOOiOOO 
cartridges  made.  We  8urrend«*ed  with  the  fort  40  banrell 
of  powder  and  8500  stand  of  arms. 

The  state  of  our  provisions  has  not  been  generally  understood. 
On  the  day  of  the  surrender  we  had  fifteen  daysof  provisiwiB  of 
every  kind  on  hand.  Of  meat  there  was  plenty  in  the  country* 
and  arrangements  had  b«eii  madf  for  piirchaiiBK  and  fpindiiig 


j!. 


r 


V  -• 


#      -^^^ 


60 


I 


if  i 


the  floar.  It  was  calculated  we  could  readily  procure  titree 
month't  provisions,  independentbf  150  barrels  of  flour,  and  ISOO 
head  of  cattle  which  had  been  forwarded  from  the  state  of  Ohio, 
which  remained  at  the  river  Raisin  under  captain  Brush,  within 
reach  of  the  army. 

But  had  we  been  iMaWj  destitute  of  provisions,  our  duty  and 
our  interest  undoubtedly  was  to  fight.  The  enemy  invited  us  to 
meet  him  ih  the  field. 

By  defeating  him  the  whole  country  wo^ld  have  been  open  to 
Of,  and  the  ofagect  of  our  expedition  gloriously  and  successfully 
obtained.  If  we  had  been  dejTeated  we  had  nothinc  to  do  but  va 
retreat  to  the  fort,  and  make  the  best  defence  whieh  circum- 
ttances  and  our  situation  rendered  practicable.  But  basely  to  «ur- 
render  without  firing  a  gun — tamely  to  submit  without  raising  a 
bajTonet— disgracefully  to  pass  in  re  vie  s/  before  an  enemy  as  lU' 
ferior  in  the  quality  as  in  the  number  of  his  forces,  were  circum- 
stances, which  excited  feelings  of  indignation  more  elmily  felt 
than  described.  To  see  the  whole  of  Our  men  flushed  with  the 
hope  of  victory,  eajgerly  awaiting  the  approaching  contest ;  to  see 
them  afterwards  dispirited,  hopeless  ana  desponding,  at  least  500 
■heddinff  tears,  because  they  were  not  allowed  to  meet  their 
country's  foe,  and  to  fight  their  country's  battles,  excited  sensa- 
tions, which  no  American  has  ever  before  had  cause  to  ieel,  and 
which,  I  trust  in  Crod,  will  never  again  be  felt,  while  one  man  re*  , 
nainsto  defend  the  standard  of  the  union.  « 

I  am  expressly  authorized  to  state,  that  colonel  M'Arthur  and 
colonel  Findley,and  lieutenant  colonel  Miller,  view  this  transac- 
tion in  tile  light  which  I  do.  They  know  and  feel,  that  no  cir- 
cumstance in  our  situation,  none  in  tiiat  of  the  enemy,  can  excuse 
a  capitulation  so  dishonourable  and  unjustifiable.  This  too  is  the 
vniversal  sentiment  among  the  troops ;  and  I  shall  be  surprised 
to  learn,  that  there  is  one  man,  who  tiiiiiks  it  was  necessary  to 
theath  his  sword,  or  lay  down  his  musket 

I  was  informed  by  ^neral  Hull  the  morning  after  the  capitula- 
tion, that  the  British  forces  consisted  of  1800  regulars,  and  that  he 
surrendered  to  prevent  the  effusion  of  human  blood.  That  he 
nasnified  their  regular  force  nearly  five  fold,  there  can  be  no 
4i(Mi0t.  Whether  rae  philanthropic  reason  assisned  by  him  is  a 
inffeient  justificatimi  tor  surrenoering  a  fortified  town,  an  army 
and  a  territoiy,  is  for  the  government  to  determine.  Confident 
I  am,  that  had  the  courage  and  conduct  of  the  general  been  equal 
to  the  spirit  and  zeal  of  the  troops,  the  event  would  have  been 
as  brilliant  and  successful  as  it  now  is  disastrous  and  dishonour* 
able. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  yours,  &c. 
LRWI8  CA88, 
€ol,  3d  reg»  Ohio  tolunietru 

Tl^  Hon.  WiiSan  Eiutis, 
^,59vs*j:  SecietHijr  of  War. 


'I 


61 


ATTACK  pN  FORT  HARRISON. 

FORT  HARRISON,  September  10^  1812^ 

SIR.  . 

On  Thuredaj  evemfng,  the  Sd  inttant,  after  retreat  beatinjv 

four  guns  were  heard  totfire  in  th^  direction,  where  two  young 
men  (citizens  who  resided  here)  were  makinx  hajr,  about  400 
yards  distant  from  the  Iprt  I  was  imng«liateTy  impressed  with 
the  idea  that.lhev  were  killed  by  Indians,  as  the  Miamies  or 
vWaes  had  that  mty  informed  me  that  the  Prophet's  party  would 
soon  be  here  for  the  purpbse  of  commencing  hostilities ;  and  that 
they  had  been  directed  to  leave  this  place,  which  ther  were  about 
to  do*  I  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  send  out  at  tnatlate  hoar 
of  the  nig^t  to  see  what|l>ecame  of  them ;  and  their  not  cominc 
in,  Gonyinced  me  that  I,was  right  in  my  conjecture.  I  waited 
until  8  o'clock  next  moiming,  to  find  them,  when  I  sent  out  « 
corporal,  with  a  small  yirty  to  find  them,  if  it  could  be  done 
without  running  too  mi  >ch  risk  of  being  drawn  into  an  ambus* 
cade.  He  soon  sent  ba^  to  inform  me  that  he  had  fo^nd  them 
both  killed,  and  wished  tciknow  mv  further  orders.  I  sent  the  cart 
and  oxen,  and  had  them  brought  in  and  buried ;  they  had  been 
each  shot  with  two  balls^  scalped  and  cut  in  the  most  shocking 
manner.  Late  in  the  ^enin^  of  the  4th  instant,  Joseph  Len«r 
and  between  30  and  4p  Indians  arrived  from  Prophet's  >towa 
with  a  white  flag,  amoM  whom  were  about  10  women,  and  the 
men  were  composed  of  the  chieft  of  the  different  tnbes  that 
compose  the  Prophet's  party. 

A  Shawnee  man,  that  spoke  good  Rnglish,  informed  me  tiiat 
(dd  Lenar  intended  to  speak  to  me  nextmominff,  and  try  to  get 
iomethlns;  to  eat.  At  ratreat  beating  I  e^mined  the  men's  arms, 
and  found  them  all  in  good  order,  and  completed  their  cartridges 
to  16  rounds  per  man.  As  I  had  not  been  able  to  mount  a  guard 
of  mere  than  6  privates  and  3  nou-commissioned  officers,  for 
some  time  pas^  and  sometimes  part  of  them  every  otiier  day* 
from  the  unhealthiness  of  the  company,  I  had  not  conceived  my 
force  adequate  to  the  defence  of  this  post,  should  it  be  vigorously 
attecked,  for  some  time  past.  As  1 4iad  just  recov  ^red.flrom  |i  verr 
severe  attack  of  the  fever,  I  was  not  able  to  be  ul>  much  through 
the  night.  After  tatoo,  I  cautioned  the  guards  to  be  vigilant,  and 
orderMlone  of  the  non-commissioned  officers  (as  the  sentinels 
could  not  see  evfry  part  of  the  garrison)  to  walk  round  the  inside* 
during  the  whole  night,  to  prevent  the  Indians  taking  any  adyan* 
iM»  of  us,  providra  they  had  any  intentiogi  of  attackii^  us. 
About  11  o'clock  I  was  awakened  by  the  firing  of  tht;  sentinels. 
I  snran(|^  up,  ran  out,  and  ordered  the  men  to  their  posts,  when  my 
orderly  sera^ant,  who  had  charge  of  the  block  house,  called  out 
that  thfi  Inmans  had  fired  the  lower  block  hcrase,  which  contained 
the  psDperty  of  the  contnwtor,  which  was  d-eposited  in  the  lower 
psrt»  the  upper  part  having  been  assigned  to  *  coiporti  nd  kT 


i  f» 


I 


im^ 


# 


« 


w- 


9     i      ■:    'i' 


i 


it 


P4: 


privatM*  ai  an  altmi  pott ;  the  sam  nad  began  to  fire  prettj 
■martlj  from  both  sidea.  I  directed  the  bvckets  to  be  ^t  ready 
and  water  brought  from  the  well,  and  the  fire  extinguiahed  im- 
mediately, aa  it  waa  hardly  perceivablel  at  that  time ;  but  from 
debiliiT  or  some  other  cause  the  men  we^  very  slow  in  executing 
my  oraers ;  the  word  appeared  to  throw  Nthem  all  into  confuiion ; 
and  by  the  time  they  had  sot  the  water  And  broke  open  the  door, 
tiie  fire  had  communicated  to  a  quantity  pf  whiskey ;  and  in  spite 
of  every  exertion  we  could  make  use  ofjin  less  than  a  moment, 
it  ascended  to  the  roof,  and  baffled  evchr  effort  we  could  make 
Id  extinguish  it  ] 

As  m^t  block  house  adjoined  the  baihicks  that  make  port  of 
the  fortifications,  most  of  the  men  immetiatel^  gave  themselves 
tip  for  lost,  and  I  had  the  ^preatest  diffisulty  in  getting  any  of 
my  orders  executed ;  and,  sir,  from  the  rwing  of  the  fire,  oie  yell- 
ing and  howling  of  several  hundred  Inif  ans,  the  cries  of  9  wo- 
men and  children  who  had  taken  shelter  In  the  fort,  and  the  des- 
ponding of  so  many  of  the  men  (which  waa  worse  than  all,)  I 
can  assure  you  that  my  feelings  were  uimleaaant  Indeed  there 
were  not  more  than  10  or  15  men  able  |  to  do  a  great  deal,  the 
others  being  either  sick  or  convalescent  and  to  add  to  our  mia- 
fortunes,  two  of  the  stoutest  men  of  the  nrt,  and  that  I  had  every 
confidence  in,  jumped  the  picket  and  left  us.  But  my  presence 
of  mind  did  not  for  a  moment  forsake  vie«  I  saw  by  throwing 
off  part  of  the  roof  that  joined  the  block  thouse  that  was  on  fire, 
and  keeping  the  end  perfectly  wet,  the  Vhole  row  of  buildinn 
mig^t  be  saved,  and  leave  only  an  entrai^ce  of  18  or  20  feet  for 
the  Indians  to  enter,  after  the  house  waa  consumed ;  and  that  a 
temporary  breaat  work  mij^t  be  erected  to  prevent  even  their 
entering  there.    I  convince  the  men  that  this  could  be  accom- 

SUdied,  and  it  appeared  to  inspire  them  with  new  life,  and  never 
id  men  act  with  more  Irmness  or  denieration :.  those  that  were 
able,  (while  the  others  kept  up  a  fire  m>m  the  other  block  house 
and  the  two  baations,)  mounted  the  roofs  of  the  houses,  with' 
doctor  Clarke  at  their  head,  (who  acted  with  ^e  greatest  ftrpi- 
ness  and  presence  of  mind  the  whole  time  the  attack  lavted, 
which  was  8  hours  un«i|er  a  shower  of  bullets,)  and  in  a  moment 
threw  off  as  much  of  the  roof  as  was  necessary.  This  was  done 
with  the  loss  of  one  man  only,  and  two  wounded,  nnther  of  them 
dai^rously ;  the  man  that  was  killed  was  a  little  derang^,  and 
did  not  get  off  the  house  as  aoim  aa  directed,  or  he  would  not 
have  been  hurt;  and  although  the  barracks  were  several  times 
in  a  blaze,  the  men  used  such  exertions  that  tiiey  keut  it  under ; 
and;  before  day-light,  raiaed  a  temporary  breaat-work  as  high  aa 
a  man's  head,  althou^  the  Indians  contuued  to  poUr  in  «  heavy 
fire  of  ball,  and  an  innumerable  quantity  of  arrowa,  during  the 
whole  time  the  attack  lasted,  in  every  part  of  the  parade.  / 

I  had  but  one  other  man  killed,  nor  any  otfiw  wounded  inndlb 
th^  fort,  and  he  lost  Ui  lift  by  being  too  aaxioiii:  he  got  into  ow 


( - 


1 


# 


of  th«  gtlli«t  in  the  bastiont  and  fired  over  the  pickets,  and  called  ta 
hii  comrades  that  he  had  killed  an  Indian,  and  neglecting  to  itoop 
down,  in  an  instant  he  was  shot  dead.  One  of  the  men  that  jump" 
ed  the  picket  returned  an  hour  before  day,  and  ninninc  towardf 
the  gate,  begged  for  Ood*s  saute  it  might  m  o|)ened.  I  suspect- 
ed it  to  be  a  stratagem  of  the  Indians  to  get  in.  As  I  did  not 
recollect  the  Voice,  I  directed  the  men  in  the  bastion  w^ere  I 
happened  to  be,  to  shoot  him,  let  him  be  who  he  would,  $A  one 
of  tnem  fired  at  him,  but  fortunately  he  ran  up  to  the  othe^bas- 
tion,  where  they  knew  his  yoice,  ana  doctor  Clarke  directed  him 
to  lie  down  close  to  the  pickets  behind  an  empty^  barrel  dia^ap- 
pened  to  be  there,  and  at  day -light  I  had  him  let  in.  His  arm  waS 
broke  in  a  most  shocking  manner,  which  he  says  was  done  b}  the 
Indians,  and  which  I  suppose  was  the  cause  of  his  returning.  The 
other  man  they  caught  about  ISO  yards  from  the  nrrison,  and  cut 
him  all  to  pieces.  After  keeping  up  a  constant  fire,  until  aitout 
6o*clQck  the  next  morning,  which  we  began  to  return  with  s#me 
effect  after  day-lu^t,  they  removed  out  of  the  reach  of  our  ^ns» 
A  party  of  them  c&ove  up  the  horses  that  belonged  to  the  ctttzenB- 
here,  and  as  they  could  not  catch  them  very  readily,  shot  the 
whole  of  them  in  our  sight,  as  well  as  a  nymber  of  their  hors* 
They  droye  off  the  cattle,  which  amounted  to  65  head,  with  v^e 
pubfic  oxen.  I  had  the  vacancy  filled  up  before  night  (which  was 
occasioned  by  the  burning  of  the  block  house)  wiUi  a  strong  nw 
of  pickets,  wnich  I  goiby  pulling  down  the  guard  house.  We  list 
the  whole  of  our  provisions,  but  must  make  out  to  live  upon  green 
com  until  we  can  get  a  suroly,  which  I  hope  will  not  be  long. 
I  believe  .the  whole  of  the  Miamies  or  Waes,  were  with  the  Pro- 
phet's party,  as  one  chief  save  his  orders  in  that  language,  which 
resembled  Stone-eater's  vmce,  and  I  believe  Negro-lecs  was  tha« 
likewise.  A  l^renchman  here  understands  their  different  lan- 
guages, and  several  of  the  Waes  that  have  been  frequently  here, 
were  recognized  by  the  soldiers  next  inorning.  The  Indians  sif- 
lered  smartly,  but  were  so  numerous  as  to  tuLO  off  all  that  w«re 
shot}  tiiey  continued  with  us  until  the  next  morning,  but  made 
no  ftirther  attempt  on  the  fort^  nor  have  we  seen  any  tiling  more< 
at  them  since. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be  yours,  &ic. 

Z.  TAYLOB* 
JSi  exceUenoy  gor.  HartiMm. 


i 


iilr 


FORT  MADISON,  September  10, 1813. 

SIB. 

On  the  5th  instant,  this  garrison  was  attacked  by  a  numerous 
body  of  Indians.  They  b^;an  by  their  usual  mode  of  sneaking 
np.  One  man,  who  hadliberty  to  go  outside  upon  a  necessary  oc- 
ctaion,  WM  killed,  tomahawked  and  scalped  within  twenty-five 


i 


94 


:■'  I 


faces  of  the  aentinel  who  was  ttfitioned  in  a  block  houae,  not* 
withttanding  the  sentinel  fired  on  them. 

little  time  the  attack  commenced  with  a  pretty  general 
of  fire  arms  on  all  sides — tiie  balls  and  buck  shot  fell 
ul  and  continued  until  dark.  Thej  then  retired, 
le  morning  of  the  6th,  thev  appeared  in  small  Squads  in 
•▼erj  jdirection— a  part  under  the  bank  firinc  into  our  loop  holea^ 
while  jOthcrs  were  employed  in  killing  all  the  lire  stock  in  tka 

Slace.,  At  4  o'clock  P.  M.  they  all  collected  under  the  bank  of 
le  ri^er  and  commenced  firing  ^t  our  flag  and  block  houses^  and 
after  nring  about  400  shot  thejf  cut  the  htlyards  and  the  flac  fell 
insi(^  t  a  geineral  shout  was  given  )yr  them  as  a  triumph  (M  vic- 
tor^j  They  continued  in  paK  till  after  night*  and  kept  up  afira 
while  one  took  awav  the  man  whom  they  hsd  killed,  which  wa 
were  unable  to  effect  as  we  did  not  know  the  number  that  might 
be  tiiere. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th»  about  the  first  thing  that  presente4 
to  ojar  Tiew  was  tne  man's  head  and  heart  stuck  upon  sticks,  tha 
head  painted  after  the  manner  of  themselves.  They  kept  a  firi 
vpoD  us  all  day,  during  which  time  a  party  of  them  set  Mr.  Juliean'a 
hoiikea  on  fire,  and  in  a  short  time  I  discovered  our  boats  wer« 
all  pn  flames.  I  must  confess  that  at  this  moment  I  felt  some  little 
confusion,  but  no  alternative  was  left  but  the  greatest  exertions : 
wo  had  8  old  gun  barrels  made  into  squirts,  ^and  made  hdea 
tiiipugh  the  tops  of  the  block  houses,  and  in  a  few  minutes  w« 
weire  able  to  make  them  as  wet  as  if  tiiere  had  fallen  a  showorol 
rai  I.  The  little  panic  was  soon  dissipated  and  we  felt  ourselvea 
an  In  secure ;  but  the  greatest  efforts  were  made  on  the  part  of 
tnc  Indians  to  consume  us  in  flames.  They  wounded  one  of  our 
meain|the  face  but  not  dangerous.  By  sundown  I  discovered 
Ml .  M'Nabb'a  house  on  fire,  which  led  me  to  believe  that  they  in- 
teoded  to  bum  all.  The  wipd  had  fallen.  I  despatohed  a  num  in 
I  dark  with  a  stick  of  port  fire  and  instruments  to  set  fire  to  the 
7,  which  waa  performed. 

the  8th,tiiey  aid  not  make  their  appearance  until  9  o^dock 
jM .  which  was  in  an  old  stable  thatthey  )iad  fortified  th<s  pre* 
ceding  night,  but  were  soon  dislodged  by  two  cannon  diot. 

tliey  tiien  resumed  their  old  stotion  under  the  banks  and  fired 
upeli  us,  while  others  continued  throwing  showers  of  fire  chunks 
and  arrows  prepared  with  suitable  matter  to  toke  fire,  but  our 
gun  barrel  squirts  soon  extinguished  them.  This  was  tiieir  last 
and  longest  emirt  which  was  continued  until  10  o'clock  at  night 
IVe  have  not  seen  one  since,  but  I  fear  a  party  hangs  about  to 
take  the  first  man  that  shows  his  head. 

lit  is  incumbent  on  me  to  ^ve  you  a  very  purticular  idea  of  ow 
situation.  Hiis  nrrison  is  m  tile  most  ineligible  j^lsce  that  ever 
could  have  been  chosen  by  any  man  even  if  he  would  trV.  The 
Indians  are  much  better  fortified  than  we.  On  the  south  side  of 
the  river  the  bankaSbrdtlhem  teompl'ete  shelter*  «id would  tokea 


eai 


raginMiit  of  men  a  month  to  make  it  ao  that  we  could  rake  it 
(to  the  east  it  is  worse  yet.  On  the  west  a  sprimt  run  afforda 
another  bank  which  cannot  be  removed.  On  the  nor^  a  hill  com- 
mands us  complete!  V,  which  I  know  from  experience,  as  I  could 
not  pasa  from  one  block  house  to  the  other  without  being  fired 
upon. 

Indeed,  sir,  the  Indians  have  nothing  more  to  do  than  to  possess 
themselves  of  these  places  and  cut  oft*  every  man  Uiat  shows  him* 
self  outside;  for  we  must  have  wood  iii  the  winter  and  cold  season. 
The  fact  ia  that  I  will  potUively  evacuate  this  pott  6y  the  \!itk 
(^  JWiMmAer  tuai»  if  there  is  no  means  taken  to  render  the 
lives  of  the  men  more  secure.  The  truth  is,  that  it  ought  not  to 
be  occupied  in  a  time  of  war,  since  it  cannot  be  bettered  \i  the 
nlace  where  it  stands }  it  ought  to  be  moved  off  this  point  entire- 
ly. I  have  not  a  yoke  of  cattle  to  provide  us  with  a  stick  ii*f  wood, 
and  if  I  had,  I  have  no  forase.  You  now  will  know  my  deter- 
mination, and  I  hope  you  will  endeavour  to  render  me  some  re- 
lief. 

I  am.'^with  respect  yours,  &c, 
T.  HAMILTON. 
lA«ut  lit  Megt,U,  Infu.  Omg. 
UeuL  Cd.  D.  ttneU.  w»         t» 


II 


CRUISE  OF  THB  SCHOONER  ROSSIE,  October,  1813. 

Extract  frovt  the  log-hook  of  the  Schooner  Aoaste,  Commodore 

Barney,  commander, 

July  l2th,  sailed  from  Baltimore.  Julv  15th,  left  Gape 
Henry.  July  17th,  apoke  ahip  Electra,  of  Philadelphia,  informed 
her  of  the  war.  July  2Ut,  spoke  bris  Triton,  of  Portsmouth* 
ii^ormed  her  of  the  war.  Spoke  ship  Riaing  Sun,  of  Baltimore, 
informed  her  of  the  war.  July  22d,  seized  brig  Njr-^.nh.  of  New- 
burypor^  for  breaich  of  the  non -importation  lav  :  ''^.oke  triiip 
Reserve  of  Bath ;  brig  ■  ■  ,  from  Lisbon  to  New-iuondon,  in- 
formed her  of  the  war.  July  23d,  waa  chaaed  by  a  fri|;ate ;  fired 
25  shot  at  us ;  outsailed  her.  July  30th,  chased  ^j  a  frigate ;  out-> 
sailed  hef.  July  31st,  took  and  burnt  the  sh^p  Princess-Iioya!. 
August  1st,  took  and  manned  the  ahip  KiUy ;  2d,  took  and  burnt 
the  following :  brig  Fame,  brig  Devonshire,  schoofter  Squid,  and 
took  the  bog  Bromers— put  on  board  her  60  prisoners,  and  sent 
her  to  St.  J^ns,  to  be  exchanged  for  as  many  Americans.  3d, 
took  and  sunk  the  brig  Henry  and  schooner  Race-horse  ;  burnt 
the  schooner  Halifax,  manned  the  brig  William  (arrived)  and 
gave  the  schooner  Two  Brothers  to  40  prisoners,  and  seni  them 
to  St  Johns,  on  parole.  9th,  took  the  ship  Jeanie,  after  a  short 
actioii ;  she  mounting  12  gujss;  sent  her  for  the  Uaitad  SMatcB 
9 


,j!     ■ 

i 


ill 

w 

If 


I 


■    1  ■:■ . 


r  I 


06 

(arrived.)  lOth/seized'the  brig  Rebec?:*,  of  Saco,  from  London, 
for  a  breach  of  the  non-importetion  law,  (arrived.)  14th,  spoke 
brig  Hazard,  from  Cadiz,  informed  her  of  the  war.  16th,  spoke 
ship  Hercules,  from  Malta,  informed  her  of  the  war.  irth, 
spoke  brig  Favorite,  from  Cadiz  to  Boston.  20th,  spoke  brig 
John  Adams,  who  had  been  captured  and  plundered  by  the  Guer- 
riere,  and  let  go.  August  25th,  seized  snip  Euphrates,  of  New 
Bedford,  for  breach  of  the.  non-importation  law,  (arrived.)  28th, 
spoke  a  brig,  prize  to  the  Benjamin  Franklin,  privateer.  29th, 
spoke  ship  Jewell,  of  Fortl&nd,  informed  her  of  the  war.  SOth, 
spoke  schooner  Ann  and  Mary,  of  New  London,  informed  her  of 
the  war.  September  7,  spoke  brie  ,  from  Providence,  Rhode 

Island,  in  distress ;  left  her  under  care  of  the  Revenue  Cutter,  of 
Newport.  9th,  chased  by  three  ships  of  war,  a  short  chase. 
10th,  spoke  ship  Joseph,  from  Bonavista,  informed  her  of  the  war. 
10th,  spoke  a  brig,  prize  to  the  schooner  Saratoga,  of  New  York. 
12th,  chased  by  a  frigate  six  hours ;  outsailed  her.  I6th,  took  his 
Britannic  majesty's  packet  ship  Princess  Ame|ia,  after  a  severe 
action  of  nearly  an  hour,  at  pistol-shot  distance.  The  captain, 
sailing-master,  and  one  man  was  killed,  the  master's  mate  and 
six  men  wounded.  We  had  Mr,  Long,  first  lieutenant,  severely 
wounded,  and  six  men  (most  of  whom  have  recovered),  the  ship 
cut  to  pieces,  and  the  Rossie  much  injured  in  sails  and  rimng. 
September  I6th,  fell  in  with  three  ships  and  a  brig  armed,  ex- 
changed shot  with  the  commo^orei  received  an  18  pound  shot 
through  our  quarter,  wounded, a  man  and  lodged  in  our  pump; 
continued  to  dijug  and  watch  the  above  vessels  4  days,  in  hopes  to 
separate  them,  but  in  vain.  September  2Sd,  spoke  the  private 
armed  schooner  Globe,  captain  Murphy,  of  Baltimore,  went  in 
pursuit  of  the  above  vessels,  but  could  not  fall  in  with  them. 
25th,  spoke  a  Spanish  brig  bound  to  Porto-Rico.  October  8th, 
took  (in  company  with  the  Globe,)  the  schooner  Jubilee,  and  sent 
her  in.'  9th,  spoke  a  Spanish  schooner  from  Palma  to  Porto-Rico, 
loth,  chased  and  spoke  uie  privateer  schooner  Rapid,  of  Char- 
leston, S.  O.  52  days  out,  haa  taken  nothing.  22a,.  seized  the 
ship  Merimock,  for  breaih  of  the  non-importation  act.  Result 
is,  three  thousand  six  hundred  and  ninety-eight  tons  of  shipping, 
and  itro  hundred  and  seventeen  prisoners — ^valued  at  upwuras  of 
one  jniUion  five  hundredthousand  dollars. 


;:-r: 


BLACK  ROCK,  October  9, 1812. 

SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  that  on  the  morning  of  the 
8th.  instant,  two  British  vessels,  whicli  I  was  informed  were  his 
Britannic  majesty's  Inrig  Detroit,  late  the  United  States'  brig 
Adams,  and  the  brig  Hunter,  mounting  14  guns,  but  whith  aftier- 
'viu'ds  proved  to  be  the  brig  Caledonia,  Iwth  said  to  be  well  armed 


and  manned,  came  down  the  lake  and  anchored  under  the  pro> 
tection  of  fort  Erie.  Having  been  on  the  lines  for  some  time, 
and  in  a  measure  inactively  employed,  I  determined  to  make  an 
attack,  and  if  possible  to  get  possession  of  them.  A  strong  in- 
ducement to  this  attempt  arose  from  a  consideration  that  with 
these  two  vessels  and  to  those  which  I  have  purchased  and  am 
fitting  out,  I  should  be  enabled  to  meet  the  remainder  of  the 
Lriti  in  force  on  the  Upper  lakes,  and  save  an.  incalculable  ex- 
pensii  and  labour  to  the  government.  On  the  morning  of  their  ar- 
rival I  heard  that  our  seamen  were,  but  a  short  distance  from  this 
place,  and  immediately  despatched  an  express  to  the  oiBEicers,  di- 
l^cting  them  to  use  all  possible  despatch  in  getting  their  men  to  this 
place,  as  I  had  an  important  service  to  perform.  On  their  arrival, 
which  was  about  12  o'clock,  I  discovered  that  they  had  only  20 
|)istols,  and  neither  cutlasses  nor  battle  axes.  But  on  applica- 
tion to  generals  Smyth  and  Hall  of  the  regulars  and  muitia,  I 
wa9  supplied  with  a  few  arms,  and  general  Smyth  was  so  good,  on 
my  request,  as  immediately  to  detach  50  men  from  the  regulars, 
armed  with  muskets. 

By  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  I  had  my  men  selected  and  sta- 
tioned in  two  boats,  which  I  had  previously  prepared  for  the  pur- 
pose. With  these  boats,  50  men  in  each,  and  under  circum- 
stances very  disadvantageous,  m^  men  having  scarcely  had  time 
to  refresh  themselves  after  a  fatiguing  march  of  500  miles,  I 
put  off  from  the  mouth  of  Buffaloe  creek,  at  1  o'jjiock  the  fol- 
lowing-morning,  and  at  3  I  was  along  side  the  vessels.  In  the 
space  of  about  10  minutes,  I  had  the  prisoners  all  secured,  the 
top-sails  sheeted  home,  and  the  vessels  under  way.  Unfortu- 
nately the  wind  was  not  sufficiently  strong  to  get  me  up  agunst 
a  rapid  current  into  the  lake,  where  I  had  understooa  another 
armed  vessel  lay  at  anchor,  and  I  was  obliged  to  run  down  the 
river,  by  the  forts,  under  a  heavy  fire  of  round,  grape,  and  canis- 
ter, from  a  number  of  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance,  and  several 
pieces  of  flying  artillery,  was  compelled  to  anchor  at  a  distance 
of  about  400  yards  from  two  of  tneir  batteries.  After  the  dis- 
charge of  <he  first  gun,  from  the  flying  artillery,  I  hailed  tiie 
shore,  and  observed  to  the  officer,  that  u  another  gun  was  fired 
I  would  bring  the  prisoners  on  deck,  and  expose  them  to  the 
same  fate  we  would  all  share ;  but  notwithstanding,  they  disre- 

farded  the  caution  and  continued  a  constant  and  destructive 
re.  One  single  moment's  reflection  determined  me  not  to 
commit  an  act  mat  would  subject  me  to  the  imputation  of  barba- 
rity. The  Caledonia  had  been  beached,  in  as  safe  a  position  as 
the  circumstances  would  admit  of,  under  one  of  our  batteries  at 
the  Black  Rock.  J  now  brought  all  the  guns  of  the  Detroit  on 
one  side  next  the  enemy,  stationed  the  men  at  them,  and  directed 
a  fire  which  was  continued  as  long  as  our  ammunition  lasted  and 
circumstances  permitted.  During  the  contest  I  endeavoured  to 
get  the  Delpoit  on  our  side  by  sending  a  line,  thBre  being  do 


(-■■3 


i 


Iv'     4 


I?.  .■ 


Ill 


^W 


ill- 1  I 


un- 
wind, on  shore,  with  all  the  line  I  could  mUMer ;  but  the  current 
being  sp  strong,  the  boat  could  not  reach  the  shore.  I  then  hail- 
ed our  shore,  and  requested  that  warps  should  be  made  fast  on 
land,  and  sent  on  board :  the  attempt  to  all  which  again  proved 
useless.  As  the  fire  was  such  as  would,  in  all  probabilitj,"  sink 
the  vessel  in  a  short  time,  I  determined  to  drift  down  the  river 
out  of  the  reach  of  the  batteries,  and  make  a  stand  against  the 
flying  artillery.  I  accordingly  cut  the  cable,  made  sail  with  very 
li^t  airs,  and  at  that  instant  discovered  that  the  pilot  had  aban- 
doned me.  I  dropped  astern  for  about  iO  minutes,  when  1  was 
brought  up  on  our  shore  on  Squaw  island — got  the  boarding  boat 
ready,  had  the  prisoners  put  in  and  sent  on  shore,  with  directions 
for  the  officer  to  return  for  me  and  what  property  we  could  get 
from  the  brig.  He  did  not  return,  owine  to  the  difficulty Jn  the 
boat's  getting  on  shore.  Discovering  a  skiff  under  the  counter,  I 
'  put  the  four  remaining  prisoners  in  the  boat,  and  with  my  officers 
1  went  on  shore  to  brins  the  boat  off.  I  asked  for  protection  to 
the  brig  of  lieutenant  colonel  Scott,  who  readily  gave  it.  At  this 
moment  I  discovered  a  boat  with  about  40  soldiers  from  the 
Briti^  side,  making  for  the  brig.  They  got  on  bowrd,  but  were 
soon  compelled  to  abandon  her,  with  the  loss  of  nearly  all  their 
men.  During  the  whole  of  this  morning  both  sides  of  the  river 
kept  op  alternately  a  continual  fire  on  the  brig,  and  so  much 
iniurecl  her  that  it  was  impossible  to  have  floated  her.  Before 
I  left  her,  she  had  several  shot  of  large  size  in  her  bends,  her 
sails  in  ribbons,  and  rigging  all  cut  to  pieces. 

To  my  officers  and  men  1  feel  under  great  obligation.  To 
captain  Towson  and  lieutenant  Roach  of  the  2d  regiment  of  artil- 
lery, ensign  Prestman  of  the  infantry,  captain  Chapin,  Mr.  John 
M'Comb,  Messrs.  John  Town,  Thomas  Dain-,  Peter  Overstocks, 
and  James  Sloan,  resident  gentlemen  of  Buffaloe,  for  their  soldier 
and  sailor-like  conduct.  In  a  word,  sir,  every  man  fought  as  if 
with  thfeir  hearts  animated  only  by  the  interest  and  honour  of 
their  country. 

The  prisoners  I  have  turned  over  to  the  military.  The  Detroit 
mounted  6  six  pound.long  guns,  a  commanding  lieutenant  of  ma- 
rines, a  boatswain  and  gunner,  and  56  men — about  30  American 
prisoners  on  boaru,  muskets,  pistols,  cutlasses,  and  battle-axes. 
In  boarding  her  I  lost  one  man,  one  officer  wounded,  Mr.  John 
C.  Cummings,  acting  midshipman,  a  bayonet  through  the  leg ; 
his  conduct  was  correct,  and  deserves  the  notice  of  the  depart- 
ment. The  Caledonia  mounted  two  small  guns,  blunderbusses^ 
pistols,  muskets,  cutlasses^  and  boarding  pikes,  12  men  including 
officers,  10  prisoners  on  board.  The  boat  boarding  her  was  com- 
manded by  sailing  master  George  Watts,  who  performed  his 
duty  in  a  masterly  style.  But  one  man  killed,  and  four  wounded 
bad,  I  am  afraid  mortally.  I  enclose  yuu  a  lilt  of  tiie  qfficers 
'and  men  engaged  in  the  enterprise,  and  also  a  view  of  the  lake 
4ind  river  in  the  different  situations  of  attack.    In  a  day  or  two 


"    '  (! 


I  shall  forward  the  names  of  the  prisoners.  The  Caledonia  be* 
longs  to  the  N.  W' company,  loaaed  with  furs,  worth!  under- 
stand 8  200,OUO. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  jours,  &c. 

JESSE  D.  ELMOT. 

The  Hon.  Paul  Hanulton,  *        . 

Secretary  U.  3.  Navy. 


URBANA,  October  12th,  1812^ 

SIR, 

On  receiving  your  orders  of  the  4th  instant  to  proceed  to 
the  Rapids  with  the  whole  force  of  mounted  men  under  my  com- 
mand, whose  horses  were  in  a  condition  to  perform  the  service ;  f 
caused  an  examination  to  be  immediately  had ;.  and  found  that 
there  still  remained  960  men,  including  officers,  in  a  condition  to 
march,  including  idso  captain  Bacon,  and  one  other  company, 
which  left  us  the  morning  following;* 

The  beeves  expected  at  general  Winchester's  camp,  did  not 
unive  so  as  to  enable  as  to  draw,  till  the  morning  of.  the  5th. 
A  good  number  of  the  men  were  destitute  of  provision  the  day 
you  left  Defiance.  There  beins  no  flower  to  ne  issued  to  th<s 
mounted  men,  I  ordered  that  eiitht  days  rations  of  beef  should  be 
drawn  and  immediately  Jerked,  so  as  to  lighten,  and  prepare  it 
for  the  expedition,  intending  to  move  off  on  the  evening  of  the 
5th.  On  examining  our  ammunition  it  had  been  found  that  dur- 
ing the  excessive  rains  which  fell,  while  you  were  marching  us 
from  St.  Mary's  to  Defiance,  it  had  become  so  damaged  as  to  be 
entirely  useless ;  not  two  rounds  of  sound  cartridges  were  left 
to  a  man.  I  ordered  returns  made,  so  that  each  man  should  be 
furnished  with  12  rounds.  This  return  amounted  to  4500  car- 
tridges for  the  musket  men,  exclusive  of  major  Roper's  battalion ; 
the  ammunition  of  the  riflemen  having  received  very  little  dam- 
age. Quarter  master  Basey  called  on  the  quarter  master  in 
eeneral  Winchester's  camp\and  returned  without -a  supply. 
About  1  o'clock  this  day,  a  man  nelonging  to  Manary's  company  of 
raneers  was  killed  and  scalped  across  the  Miami,  within  two  hun- 
dred yards  of  our  camp.  I  gave  immediate  orders  to  arms,  and 
in  five  minutes  to  horse,  but  owing  to  our  being  compelled  to 
confine  our  horses  during  the  night,  and  graze  them  by  day,  for 
want  of  forage;  the  sreater  part  at  this  moment  were  under 
keepers  nearly  one  mue  from  our  camp  up  the  Auglaise.  Con- 
ceiving from  the  bold  manner  in  which  tne  Indians  approached 
our  camp,  that  it  was  possible  tt-  cpnsiderable  body  was  not  dis- 
tant, I  wished  to  form  the  men  and  proceed  over  the  rivei*,  by 
which  we  should  be  in  a  situation  to  contend  with  a  considerable 
force,  or  pursue  to  effect  a  small  one.  In  the  mean  time  I  permit- 
ted major  Brush  to  cross  over  with  about  50  foot  to  examine  the 


I  .!■  1 


h- 


;*!   'i 


m 


1^ 


If 


-m 


70 

bank  and  see  in  what  direction  the  Indiana  had  retired ;  but  before 
he  reached  the  opposite  shore  every  horseman,  whose  horse  was  in 
camp  was  mounted  to  follow.  It  was  in  vain  I  made  an  attempt 
to  keep  them  back  till  they  were  formed ;  they  broke  off  in  nuih- 
bers  from  two  to  thirty,  mostly  without  their  officers,  and  crossed 
the  woods  in  every  direction  :  a  party  of  15  fell  on  the  trail  of  the 
Indians,  and  at  seven  or  ei-::;ht  miles  distance  overtook  them  ;  but 
as  the  Indians  were  superior  to  them,  and  formed,  our  men  with- 
out waitine  for  a  discnap:e  from  the  enemy  returned  to  camp. 
Loffan,  and  the  other  Indian*  in  our  camp,  were  of  the  opinion 
thai  there  was  a  consideiable  force  of  the  enemy  lying  down  the 
river,  and  offered  to  spy  down.  Early  on  the  following  morning 
they  left  our  camp  with  instructions  to  proceed  four  miles  below 
the  Little  Rapids,  a  distance  of  fourteen  miiles.  They  returned 
atevetiins,  having  found  no  trail  of  any  size  excepting  thjc  party 
which  had  been  pursued,  and  those  they  computed  at  about  forty ; 
that  thej  had  proceeded  on  towards  the  waters  of  Lake  Michigan^ 
and  not  on  the  direction  to  the  Rapids.  That  the  British  and 
Indiana  which  had  fled  before  general  Winchester,  had  retreated 
with  apparent  precipitancy,  drawing  their  carriaj2;es  over  large 
logs,  and  tearing  down  every  sappling  that  stood  in  their  way. 

Scarcely  had  this  scout  left  our  camp,  when  I  received  tirefo! 
lowing  order  from  general  Winchester : 


SIR, 


"CAMP,  NEAR  DEFIANCE,  October  6, 1812. 


Believing  it  to  be'^essential  that  the  Indians  who  committed 
the  murder  yesterday  near  your  camp  should  be  'nrsued  and 
routed,  or  thar  strength  and  situation  ascertained,  and  as  that 
duty  can  be  best,  and  most  expeditiously  done  with  mounted 
men,  you .  will  this  morning  pursue  their  trail  with  a  part  or  the 
whole  of  your  force,  and  dislodge,  kill,  and  destroy  them  if  in 
your  power.  This  duty  performed,  you  can  take  the  course  di- 
rected by  general  Harrison.  The  attitude  of  the  enemy  requires 
this  change  in  your  destination,  and  as  commander  of  the  north- 
western army,  f  have  deemed  it  my  duty  to  make  it.  If  you  do  not 
return  to  report  you  will  send  an  officer  for  that  p'irpose. 

J.  WINCHESTER. 

Brig.  Gen.  Comdg.  left  wing  JV.  W.  army 

GenenlTupper.  ^  . 

I  waited  on  general  Winchester  immediately  on  receipt  of 
the  foregoing  order,  informing  Mm  of  having  previously  sent  out 
a  scout,  fma  the  object  of  it:  that  the  Indians  had  the  evening 
before  been  overtaken  seven  or  eight  miles  from  our  camp ;' ana 
their  number  computed  at  from  20  io  40 :  that  in  ail  jn'obability 
they  had  then  advanced  too  far  to  be  overtaken,  without  along 
pursuit :  that  our  horses  were  feeble,  and  that  I  wished  to  pre- 
serve as  much  of  their  strength  as  possible  for  the  genei'al  object 


71 


of  the  expedition;  and  that  if  it  was  agreeable  to  him  we  would 
wait  the  return  of  the  scout,  to  take  such  measures  as  were 
deemed  proper  on  their  return.  General  Winchester  made  no 
objections  to  this  arrangement ;  at  the  same  time  I  informed  him 
that  we  had  not  three  rounds  of  ammunition  to  a  man,  and  re- 
quested him  to  order  me  a  supply.  He  replied  to  me  that  he 
would  order  his  ammunition  examined,  and  would  endeavour  to 
furnish  me  a  part  of  what  was  required  to  complete  tho  12  rounds. 
My  brigade  quarter  master  attended  this  day  and  returned  at 
evening  with  information  that  no  ammunition  coiOd'  be  had. 
Early  tke  following  morning  X  ordered  the  horses  for  a  march, 
and  repaired  to  general  Winchester's  quarters,  and  again  reques- 
ted a  supply  of  two  thousand  cartridges,  beitae  about  one-third 
of  ^,he  quantity  required  4.  without  which  I  could  not  feel  myself 
justifiable  in  proceeding  on  the  expedition.  In  answer  he  stated 
to  me,  that  he  had  but  six  thousand  cartridges  not  issued ;  that 
his  men  had  but  very  few  in  their  boxes ;  that  he  had  a  good  sup- 
ply of  powder  and  ball,  but  no  paper ;  the  latter  was  in  the 
wagons  and  expected  to  arrive  that  or  the  day  following — and 
then  directed  me  to  return  to  my  camp  and  make  report  of  the 
actual  quantity  on  hand,  and  he  woula  then  inform  me  whether 
he  would  deliver  the  two  thousand  cartridges.  I  hastened  back 
to  my  camp,  and  gave  the  necessary  orders  for  furnishing  the 
return ;  but  in  a  few  minutes  after,  received  from  general  Win- 
cheister  the  following  order :  * 

General  Tupper.  Longer  delay  inconsistent  with  strict  mili- 
tary principles  cannot  be  indulj|;ed ;  you  will  therefore  proceed 
immediately  on  the  reconnoitenng  duty  ordered  yesterday  with 
the  troop  under  your  command,  ejLcept  colonel  Simral's  corps, 
who  shall  return  without  delay  to  the  settlement,  to  recruit  their 
horses,  agreeably  tu  general  Harrison's  orders. 

J.  WINCHESTER. 

Brigadier  Oeneralf  ^c. 

When  colonel  Simral's  company  moved  off,  a  lanee  proportion 
of  two  companies  of  major  Roper's  battalion  from  Kentudcy  fol- 
lowed, whicn  reduced  that  battalion,  (being  the  whole  force  now  re- 
maining from  Kentucky)  to  less  than  eighty  men.  I  was  indebted  to 
colonel  Simral  for  all  the  cartridges  he  had  excraing  two  rounds ; 
but  as  the  most  of  them  had  been  damaged  and  dried,  they  did 
not  add  one  sound  round  to  each  man.  I  was  on  thje  point  of 
taking  up  the  line  of  march  to  execute  general  Winchester's  or- 
ders, when  colonel  Allen,  commixnding  a  regiment  of  Kentucky 
troops  in  general  Winchester's  camp,  came  up,  and  informed  me 
he  had  wtained  leave  to  accompany  me  to  the  Rapids  in  any 
station  I  thought  proper  to  place  nim,  from  a  soldier  upwards.  I 
thankfully  accepted  His  services  and  caused  him  to  be  announced 
ad  an  aid.  Colonel.  Allen  proposed,  that  as  it  was  general  Win- 
chester's wish  that  the  Iroops  should  move  on  the  direct  rout«  to- 


^  ■ 


^■^ 


is'  ^' 


m 


m 


t 


IV.: 


ft  ■ ' 


7« 

the  Rapids*  that  none  shoulfi  be  taken  but  tuch  it  would  go  firee- 
hr.  The  experiment  was  made,  when  abcmt  400  volunteered  for 
tne  service.  Scarcely  had  the  troops  moved  forward  from  tl^ft 
raiiks,'  when  colonel  Allen  beckoned  me  Mide  and  shewed  me  an 
order  wiiich  general  Winchester  had  that  moment  fon»">rded  t« 
him,  giving  colonel  Allen  the  command  of  the  men  t>r<ieicd  for 
the  Rapids.  I  requested  of  colonel  Allen  a  copy  of  tiiii*  i^"?}  3r« 
which  he  declined  pving.  It  would  be  difficult  for  me  ti>  de&cnbe 
^e  state  <tf  my  feeiiugs.  at  this  moment  i  I  turned  to  tuv  ir("rfi4 
which  had  refused  to  voluntoer,  and  ordf^red  them  acvoss  the 
Auglaiie  on  the  route  you  directed  me  to  take,  as  the  best  calcu- 
lated to  carry  your  orders  into  elTect.'  <  'Wh^u  it  wast  found  that 
^iieral  Winchester  had  supersieded  me  in  the  commaat^,  thci 
whole  force  from  Ohio  cros»e^  the  Auglaise  and  refuse^l  to  marck 
eV  directed  by  gecieral  Winchesir.  Colu ad  Allen  and  mnjor 
Brush  returned  to  general  Winchester,  who  assured  ihem  he  Kaif 
i;<ii8t(»ok  the  object  of  colonel  Alien's  req'uest  Octhieral  Win- 
chester then  V  /'.^po-ied  to  divide  the  forjce  and  have  a  part  to  move 
«ii  the  direct  ki>'jsfei>  the  Rixpids,  the  other  to  proceed  by  Tawa 
towns,  to  unite  t  i  a  eertaiQ  tiaie  12  miles  above  the  Rajpidsr  I 
was  unwiUing  U'  v>»Qsent  U»  this  meadure;  The  forue  united  waa 
not  half  tlte  number  you  tliought  necessary 'to  order  on  tiie  most 
)«.scret  route.  A  division  of  less  than  -500  men,  to  meet  in  an  ene- 
my's country,  where  many  eircumstances  m^t  prevent  their 
junction,  was  to  me  a  measure  I  could  only  cons^t  to  by  com- 
pulMn->-  thu  measure  was  in  the  end  abandoned. 
.  It  18  a  duty  I  owe  to  colonel-  Allen,  tiiat  I  have  not  the  iHnaUeit 
reason  to  bel)«ve,  he  wa9  privy  to  the  order  of  general  Winches- 
ter, nving  to  kim  the  command:  hiS' character,  and  every  part 
^  his  conduct  ma  tiiat,  occasion,  convinces  me  he  U  above  it. 
*  I'he  whole  force  proceeded  to  Tawa  towns,  where  w^  reached 
tk6  day  following.  Barly  on  tiie  morning  of  the  9th,  1  oidered 
the  inarch  for  the  -Rajpids,  when  at  the  distance  of  half  a  mile  it 
wits  found  our  whole  torce  was  reduced  to  200.men,  exclusive  of 
dficers:  the  other  part  of  the  ftuxe  had  refused  to  inarch,  and 
remained  in  the  encampment:  scarcely  a  man  marcUed  from-me 
•econd  iMttklion  of  colonel  Findleyla  re^menlr  commanded  bj 
major  Taylor.  Manary's  comJiNiny  orUnited  Statea'  rangeni,.bofli 
oi^«rt  and  sojidiera,  refiiied  io  inarch. 

When  it  was  ascertaiiied  that  our  whole  force  fiir  the  Rinndi 
was  neduced  to  200  men,  I  called  a  council  of  the  officers  to, 
determine  whether  with  that  force  it  was  advisable  to  proceed 
on  to  tiie  Rapids. 

The  cpHttCil^  considered  tiliat  our  force  wm  not  mfficimit  to 
carry  the  first  4>bject  of  your  orders  into  effect;  that  we  were 
too  numerous  to-fet  as  a  spy  party;  and  too.  weak  to  carry  offien- 
aive  <^ration8  into  the  enemyfs  country ;  attd  tkai.it  would  be 
improper  and  unadviMblo  ttadk  those  arcttttitaacea  to  coutiMie 
A«  expedition. 


"T* 


With  the  then  remaining  force  I  proceeded  to  this  place,  wheve 
I  directed  colonel  Findley  and  major  Roper,  to  discharge  such 
men  only  as  had  continued  to  do  their  dutj. 

Thus,  sirj  has  terminated  an  expedition,  at  one  time  capable  of 
tearing  the  British  flag  from  the  walls  of  Detroit,  wherein  our 
troops  might  have  returned  with  the  pleasing  reflection  of  having 
fenoered  their  country  an  essential  service. 

It  is  a  duty,  sir,  I  owe  to  the  officers  of  the  Kentucky  forces,  to 
colonel  Finaley  and  the  officers  of  his  first  battalion,  to  say  that 
they  were  zealous  of  pressins  forward  the  expedition ;  while  the 
officers  of  the  second  battalion,  commanded  by  major  Taylor, 
with  few  exceptions,  were  shrinking  from  their  duty,  and  shame- 
ftilly  deserting  the  cause  of  their  country. 

The  detacliing  of  colonel  Simral's  regiment  from  our  force 
stands  prominent  among  the  causes  of  our  failure.  Already  was 
there  a  panic  in  some  parts  of  our  camp:  the  enemy  that  had 
retired  at  eeneral  Winchester's  approach  liad  been  greatly  mag- 
nified. The  day  succeeding  the  alarm  general  Winchester  drew 
in  one  wing  of  his  lines  ana  strengthened  his  camp  with  a  breast 
work.  Even  this  circumstance  was  noticed,  and  urged  as  an 
evidence,  that  he  apprehended  a  force  superior  to  his  own.  Thus, 
when  imaginary  obstacles  unite  with  those  that  are  real,  to  oppose 
the  movement  of  a  force  so  insubordinate,  as  that  every  man's 
will  is  hit  law,  little  can  be  expected  to  the  officers,  but  a  plen- 
tiful harvest  of  mortification  and  disgrace. 

It  cannot  be  denied  that  at  the  time  those  men  refused  to 
march,  that  there  was  a  scarcity  of  provisions  in  the  camp ;  not 
tiiree  days  rations  of  meat  to  each  officer  and  soldier  remained, 
and  no  bread  or  flour.  But  we  had  found  at  those  towns,  an 
abundant  supply  of  good  sound  corn,  tq[;ether  with  nearly  30 
bushels  cured  when  green,  or  tossamonona.  Our  sufferings  with 
this  supply  could  not  have  been  great  in  going  or  returning  from 
the  Rapids. 

The  man  whose  courage  and  patriotism  expires  when  his  ra- 
tions are  reduced,  ought  never  to  place  himself  between  hia 
country  and  his  enemies. 

When  you  shall  have  examined  and  considered  the  whole  causes 
of  our  failure,  should  doubts  rest  on  your  mind  whether  some 
part  of  it  does  not  attach  to  my  conduct,  may  I  not  hope,  sir, 
that  you  will  order  a  court  of  enquiry,  that  I  may  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  meeting  an  investigation. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  yours,  &c. 

BDW.  W.  TUPPER, 

Brigadier  CtemraU 

Gen.  WilUam  Bomy  Huriwn. 

10 


J.'i  ■' 


h 


m: 


] 


74 

UBAD  dUARTEtlB,  LEWI&tOWN,  October  14,  WS. 

SIR.  .        , 

As  the  movements  of  the  armj  under  my  command,  since  I 

had  last  th?>  honour  to  address  you  on  the  8th  instant,  have  been 

of  a  very  imtxNrtaAt  character,  producing  consequences  serious  to 

many  individuals}  establishing  facts  actually  connected  with  the 

interest  of  the  service  and  the  safety  of  the  army;  and  as  I.  stand 

I»rominently  responsible  for  some  of  these  consequences,  I  beg 
eave  to  explain  to  you,  sir,  and  through  you  to  my  country,  the 
situation  and  circumstances  in  which  I  have  had  to  act,  and  the 
reasons  and  motives  which  governed  me ;  and  if  the  result  is  not 
all  that  might  have  been  wished,  it  is  such,  that  when  the  whole 
ground  shall  be  viewed,  I  shall  cheerfully  submit  myself  to  the 
judgment  of  my  country. 

In  my  letter  of  the  8th  instant  I  apprized  you  that  a  crisis  in 
this  campaign  was  rapidly  advancing;  and  that  (to  repeat  the 
same  words)  •"  the  blow  must  be  soon  strvick,  or  all  the  toil  and  ex- 
pense of  the  campaign  go  for  nothing,  aud  worse  than  nothing  ; 
for  the  whole  will  be  tinged  with  dishonour.'* 

Under  such  impressions,  I  had  on  the  5th  instant  written  to 
bri^dier  general  Smyth,  of  the  United  States*  forces,  requesting 
an  interview  with  him,  major  general  Hidl,and  the  commandanta 
of  the  United  States*  regiments,  for  the  purpose  of  conferring 
upon  the  subject  of  future  operations.  I  wrote  raaior  genena 
Hall  to  the  same  purport.  On  the  1 1th,  I  had  received  no  an- 
swer from  general  Smyth ;  but  in  a  note  to  me  on  the  10th,  gen- 
eral Hall  mentioned  that  general  Smyth  had  not  yet  then  agreed 
upon  any  day  for  the  consultation. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  partial  success  of  lieutenant  Elliott,^  at 
Black  Rock,  (of  which  however  I  have  received  no  official  in- 
formation) began  to  excite  a  strong  disposition  in  the  troops  to 
act.  This  was  expressed  to  me  through  various  channelif  in  the 
shape  of  an  alternative :  that  they  must  have  orders  to  act;  or 
at  all  hazards,  ^ey  would  go  home.  I  forbear  here  commenting 
upon  the  obvious  consequences  to  me,  personally,  of  longer  witk- 
holdins  my  orders  under  such  circu.'^istanccs. 

I  hm  a  conftfrence  with  lieutenant  colonel  ■       as  to  the 

possibility  of  ^tting  some  person  to  pass  over  to  Canada  and 
obtain  correct  information.  On  the  morning  oi  the  4tii,  he  wrote 
to  me  that  he  had  procured  the  man  who  bore  his  letter  to  go 
over.  Instructions  were  given  him ;  he  passed  over— obtained 
such  information  as  warranted  an  immediate  attack.  This  was 
confidentially  communicated  to  several  of  my  first  officers,  and 
produced  great  zeal  to  act ;  more  especially  as  it  might  have  a 
controlling  efl^t  upon  the  movements  at  Detroit,  where  it  was 
supposed  general  Brock  had  jgnne  with  all  the  force  he  dared 
spare  from  the  Niagara  frontier.  The  best  preparations  in  my 
iMwer  were,  therefore,  made  to  dislodge  the  enemy  from  the 
iieig^ts  of  Queenstown,  and  possess  ourselves  of  tiie  village,  where 


7fl 


1  ii 


the  troops  migHt  be  tkeltered  from  the  distreieing  incleiiMiicy  of 
the  weather. 

Lieutenant  colonel  Fenwick't  flying  artillery,  and  a  detach- 
ment of  regular  troops  under  his  command,  were  ordered  to  be 
up  in  season  from  Fort  Niagara.  Orders  wero  also  sent  to  md- 
eral  Smyth  to  send  down  from  BuflGUoe,  such  detachment  of  hi« 
brigade  as  existing  circumstances  in  that  vicinity  might  warrant. 
The  attack  wu  to  have  been  made  at  4  o'oloclr  In  the  morning  <^ 
the  11th,  by  crossing  over  in  boats  at  the  Old  Ferry  opposite  th« 
heights.  To*  avoid  any  embarrassment  in  crossing  the  river,  (which 
is  hero  a  sheet  of  violent  eddies)  experienced  Iwatmen  were  pro- 
cured to  take  the  boats  from  the  landing  below  to  the  place  of 
embarkation.  Lieutenant  Sim  was  considered  the  man  of  great* 
est  skill  for  this  service.  He  went  ahead,  and  in  the  extremo 
darkness,  passed  the  intended  place  far  up  the  river ;  and  ther« 
in  a  most  extraordinary  manner,  fastened  his  boat  to  the  shore, 
and  abandoned  the  dfetachment.  In  this  front  boat  he  had 
carried  nearly  everv  oar  which  was  prepared  for  all  the  boats* 
In  diis  agonizinff  dilemma,  stood  officers  and  men.  whose  ardor 
had  not  wen  cooled  by  exposure  throu^  the  ni^t  to  one  of  the 
most  tremendous  north-east  storms,  which  continued,  unabated« 
for  twenty-eight  hours,  and  deluged  the  whole  camp.  The  ap- 
proach of^day-ligiit  extinguished  every  prospect  of  success,  and 
the  detachment  returned  to  camp.  Colonel  Van  Rensselaer 
was  to  have  commanded  the  detachment. 

After  this  result.  I  had  hoped  the  patience  of  the  troops  would 
have  continued  until  I  could  submit  the  plan  sucgosted  in  my 
letter  of  the  8th,  that  I  might  act  under,  and  in  conformity  to,  tho 
opinion  which  might  be  then  expressed.  But  my  hope  was  idle: 
the  previously  excited  ardor  seemed  to  have  f^uiod  new  heat 
from  the  late  miscarriage :  the  brave  were  mortined  to  stop  ^ort 
of  their  object,  and  the  timid  thought  laurels  half  won  by  an 
attempt. 

On  tiie  morning  of  the  12th.  such  was  the  pressure  upon  m« 
frcMU  all  quarters,  that  I  became  satisfied  that  my  refusal  to  act 
might  involve  me  in  suspicion,  and  the  service  in  disgrace. 

Viewing  affairs  at  Buoaloe  as  yet  unsettled,  I  had  immediately 
countermanded  the  mareh  of  general  Smyth's  brigade,  upon  the 
failure  of  the  first  expedition;  but  having  now  determined  to 
attack  Queenstown,  I  sent  new  orders  to  general  Smyth  to  mareh; 
not  with  the  view  of  hit  aid  in  the  attack,  for  I  considered  1h^ 
foree  detached  suffioieat.  but  to  support  the  ^^etachment  should 
the  conflict  be  obstinate  and  long  continued. 

Lieutenant  colonel  Chrystie.  who  bad  just  arrived  at  the  Four 
Mile  Creek,  had  late  in  tiie  night  of  the  first  contemplated  attack, 
gallanUy  offered  me  his  own  and  his  men's  service ;  but  he  got 
my  permission  too  late.  He  now  agun  came  forward,  had  a 
conference  with  colonel  Van  Rensselaer,  and  begsed  that  ho 
might  have  the  honour  of  a  commaad  m  the  txfSn^uW'    The 


( 


i- 


Xi 


P 


76 

lUrtngement  was  maile.  Colonel  Van  fUnuelnter  was  to  e«u- 
mand  one  column,  3liO  militia ;  and  lie'Jtenant  colonel  Chryitto 
a  column  of  the  tame  number  of  regular  troops. 

Every  precaution  was  now  adopted  aa  to  boata,  and  the  moat 
confidential  and  experienced  men  to  manage  them.  At  an  early 
hour  in  tlie  night,  lieutenant  colonel  Ohryatie  marvh^  hi»  de- 
tachment, by  the  rear  road,  from  Niagara,  to  camp.  At  7  in 
the  evening  lieutenant  colonel  Stranahan^s  regiment  moved 
from  Niu;ara  Fails ;  at  8  o'clock  Mead's ;  and  at  9,  lieutenant 
colonel  Blain's  regiment  marched  from  the  same  place.  All 
were  in  camp  in  good  season.  Agreeably  to  my  orders  issued 
upon  this  occasion^  the  two  columns  were  to  pass  over  together  ; 
and  soon  as  the  heishts  should  be  carried,  lieutenant  colonel 
Fen  wick's  flying  artulenr  w.«3  to  pass  over ;  then  major  Mulla- 
ny's  detachment  of  regulars,  u*iid  other  troops  to  follow  in  order. 

At  dawn  of  day  the  boats  \.-''.re  in  readiness,  and  the  troops 
commenced  embarking,  under  the  cover  of  a  commanding  battery, 
mounting  2  eighteen  pounders  and  3  sixes.  The  movements 
were  soon  discovered,  and  a  brisk  fire  of  musketry  was  poured 
from  the  whole  line  of  the  Canada  shore.  Our  battery  then 
Opened  to  sweep  the  shore;  but  it  was,  for  some  minutes,  too 
dark  to  direct  much  fire  with  safety.  A  brisk  cannonade  waa 
now  opened  upon  the  boats  from  three  different  batteries.  Our 
battery  returned  their  fire,  and  occasionally  threw  grape  upon 
the  shore,  and  was  itself  served  with  shells  from  a  small  mortar 
of  the  enemy's.    Colonel  Scott, 


,  of  the  artillery,  by  hastening 
in  the  night,  arrived  in  season 


his  march  from  Niagara  Falls 

to  return  the  enemy's  fire  with  2  six  poiuiders. 

The  boats  were  somewhat  embarrassed  with  the  eddies,  aa 
well  as  with  a  shower  of  shot :  but  colonel  Van  Rensselaer,  with 
about  100  men,  soon  effected  his  landing  amidst  a  tremendous 
fire  directed  upon  him  from  every  point :  out  to  the  astonishment 
of  all  who  witnessed  the  scene,  tnis  van  of  the  column  advanced 
alowly  against  the  fire.  It  was  a  serious  misfortune  to  the  van, 
and  indeed  to  the  whole  expedition,  that  in  a  few  minutes  after 
landing,  colonel  Van  Rensselaer  received  fcur  wounda.  A  ball 
passed  through  his  right  thieh,  entering  iust  below  the  hip  bone ; 
another  shot  passed  through  the  same  thigh,  a  little  below ;  the 
third  through  the  calf  of  his  leg ;  and  a  fourth  contused  his  heel. 
This  was  quite  a  crisis  in  the  expedition.  Under  so  aevere  a 
fire  it  was  difficult  to  form  raw  troops.  By  some  mismanagement 
of  theboaitmen,  lieutenant  colonel  Chrystiedid  not  arrive  until 
some  time  after  this,  and  was  wounded  in  the  hand  in  paaaing  the 
river.  Colonel  Van  Rensselaer  was  still  able  to  stand ;  and  vnth 
great  presence  of  mind  ordered  his  officers  to  proceed  with  ra- 
pidity and  storm  the  fort  This  service  was  gallantly  performed, 
and  uie  enemy  driven  down  the  hill  in  every  direction.  Soon 
after  this  boti-  parties  were  considerably  reinforced,  and  the 
conflict  was  renewed  in  several  places;  many  of  the  enemy 


if 


UMik  shelter  behind  a  itone  suard-houiie,  where  a  piece  of  erd- 
nance  was  now  briskly  served.  I  ordered  the  fire  of  our  battery 
directed  upon  the  guard -house  ;  and  it  was  so  effectually  done, 
that  with  eight  or  ten  shot  the  fire  was  silenced.  The  enemy 
then  retreated  behind  a  large  store-house ;  but  in  a  short  time 
the  route  became  general,  and  the  enemy^s  fire  was  silenced  ex- 
cept from  a  one  gun  battery,  so  far  down  the  river  as  to  be  out  of 
the  reach  uf  our  heavy  ordnance,  and  our  light  pieces  could  not 
silence  it.  A  number  of  boats  now  passed  over  unannoyed,  except 
from  the  one  unsilenced  Kun.  For  some  time  after  I  nad  passed 
over,  the  victorv  seemed  complete ;  but  in  th(^  expectation  of 
further  attacks,  I  was  taking  measures  for  fortifying  my  camp 
immediately — the  direction  of  this  service  I  committed  to  lieu- 
tenant Totten  of  the  engineers.  But  very  soon  the  enemy  was 
reinforced  by  a  detachment  of  several  hundred  Indians  from 
Chippawa — ^tney  commenced  a  furious  attack,  but  were  promptly 
met  and  routed  by  the  rifle  and  bayonet.  By  this  time  I  per- 
ceived my  troops  were  embarking  very  slowly.  I  passed  imme- 
diately over  to  accelerate  their  movements ;  but  to  my  utter  as- 
tonishment, I  found  at  the  very  moment  when  complete  victory 
was  in  our  hands,  the  ardor  of  the  unengaged  troops  had  entirely 
subsided.  I  rode  in  all  directions—urged  men  by  every  consi- 
deration to  pass  over,  but  in  vain.  Lieutenant  colonel  Bloom 
who  bad  been  wounded  in  action,  returned,  mounted  his  horse 
and  rode  through  the  camp ;  as  did  also  judge  Peck,  who  hap- 
pened to  be  here,  exhorting  the  companies  to  proceed,  but  all  in 
vain. 

At  this  time  a  large  reinforcement  from  Fort  Georse,  were 
discovered  coming  up  the  river.  As  the  battery  on  the  nill  was 
considered  an  important  check  against  their  ascending  the 
heights,  measures  were  immediately  taken  to  send  tnem  a  Tresh 
supply  of  ammunition,  as  I  had  learnt  there  was  left  only  20 
shot  for  the  18  pounders.  The  reinforcement,  however,  obliqued 
to  the  right  from  the  road,  and  formed  a  junction  with  the  Indfians 
in  the  rear  of  the  heights.  Finding  to  my  infinite  mortification, 
that  no  reinforcement  would  pass  over;  seeing  that  another  se 
vere  conflict  must  soon  commence;  and  knowing  thattib..  Hrave 
men  on  the  heights  were  quite  exhausted  and  nearly  out  of  .1:1- 
munition,  all  1  could  do  was  to  send  them  a  fresK  suppVy^  of 
cartridges.  At  this  critical  moment  1  despatched  a  note  xv  t^en- 
cral  Wadsworth,  acouainting  him  with  our  situation— 4eaving  the 
course  to  be  pursuea  much  to  his  own  judgment,  with  assurance, 
that  if  he  thought  best  to  retreat,  I  woi^ld  endeavour  to  send  as 
many  boats  as  I  could  command,  and  cover  his  retreat,  by  every 
fire  I  could  safely  make.  But  the  boats  were  dispersed — ^many 
of  the  boatmen  had  fled,  panic  struck,  and  but  few  got  offl  Bat 
my  note  could  but  have  fittle  more  than  have  reached  general 
Wadsworth,  about  4  o'clock,  when  a  most  severe  and  obstinate 
Mnftict  commenced  and  contiaued  about  half  an  hour,  with  a  tre-* 


I, 


1    '  r 


»> 


78 

mtndous  fire  of  cannon,  fljin^  artillery  and  mviketrj.  7'ht> 
•nemj  succeeded  in  reposieising  their  battenr;  and  cainin^' 
advantaM  on  ererj  aide,  the  brave  men  who  hadT gained  ttie  vic« 
torj,  exnauatad  of  itrength  and  ammunition,  and  grieved  at  the 
unpardonable  neglect  of  their  fellow-ioldiert,  gave  up  the  con- 
flict 

I  can  onlv  add,  that  the  victory  wai  really  won ;  but  loit  for 
the  want  of  a  small  reinforcement  0ne4hird  part  of  like  idU 
men  might  have  eaved  all, 

I  have  been  so  pressed  with  tiie  various  duties  of  burying  the 
dtad,  providing  for  the  wounded,  collectinff  the  public  property* 
negotiating  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  and  idl  the  concerns  conse- 

auent  of  such  a  battle,  that  I  have  not  been  able  to  forward  thb 
espatch  at  as  early  an  hour  as  I  could  have  wished.  I  shall 
soon  forward  you  another  despatch,  in  which  I  shall  endeavour 
to  point  out  to  you  the  conduct  of  some  most  nllant  and  de- 
secving  officers.  But  1  cannot  in  justice  close  this  without  ex- 
pressing the  very  great  obligation  I  am  under  to  brigadier  gene- 
ral Waldsworth,  colonel  Van  Rensselaer,  colonel  Scott  lieutenant 
colonels  Chrvstie  and  Fenwick,  and  captain  Gibson.  Many 
others  have  also  behaved  most  sallantly.  As  I  have  reason  to 
believe  that  many  of  our  troops  led  to  the  woods,  with  the  hope 
of  crossinc  the  river,  I  have  not  been  able  to  learn  the  probable 
number  of  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners.  The  slaughter  of  our 
troops  must  have  been  very  considerable.  And  the  enemy  have 
suffered  severely. 

General  Brock  is  among  their  slain,  and  his  aid-dfi-camp  mor- 
tally wounded. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  yours,  &c. 

STN.  VAN  RENSSELAER,  Maj,  Qtn. 
Wbjat  g«nenl  De«ri>om. 


EXPEDITION  AGAINST  THE  FLORIDA  INDIANS. 

NEW-HOPE,  ST.  JOHN'S,  October  19th,  1813. 

DEAR  SIR. 

I  have  now  the  honour  of  transmitting  to  your  excellency, 
an  account  of  the  several  engagements  which  have  taken  place, 
between  the  Lotchaway  and  Alligator  Indians,  and  the  detach- 
ment of  Geoi^a  volunteers,  under  my  command.  As  the  object 
of  this  expedition,  and  the  views  of  the  persons  engaged  in  it; 
have  been  misconstrued,  and  mis-statements,  relative  to  ita  pro* 
traction,  circulated,  I  ask  the  indulgence  of  your  excellency,  t» 
detail  every  transaction,  from  its  commencement  to  itstermtiiif-' 
tion.  I  arrived  upon  St  John's,  in  obedience  to  your  orders, 
^M>ttt  the  15th  of  August  will  the  whole  of  mr  detachment, 
consistiiig  of  about  290  men  including  officer*,  «aa  with* few  oa 


th«tiek  refiort.  I  immedUtely  wuted  on  colonel  Smith,  befbrt 
Auguttino,  and  received  orders  dated  81st  of  August,  to  proceed 
immediately  against  the  hostile  Indians,  within  the  province  of 
Bast  Floriaa,  and  destroy  their  towns,  provisions,  and  settle- 
ments. I  then  returned  u>  the  detachment  upon  the  St.  John's, 
and  made  everjr  preparation  to  complj  with  my  orderit,  by  dis- 
patching parties  to  procure  horses,  from  the  few  inhabitants  that 
nad  not  fled  from  the  province,  in  preparing  packs  and  provisions, 
and  taking  every  step  which  I  deemed  necessary,  to  <insure  suc- 
cess to  the  enterprize.  In  consequence  of  the  sickness  of  my- 
self, and  nearly  one  half  the  detachment,  the  period  of  our 
marching  was  delayed  until  the  84th  of  September;  and,  when 
.just upon  the  eve  of  departing  an  express  arrived  from  colonel 
Smith,  informing  me,  that  his  provision  wagons  and  the  escort 
were  'attacked  by  a  iNMly  of  negroes  and  Indians,  and  ordering 
jne  to  join  him  immediately,  with  90  men,  and  bring  all  the 
horses  and  carriages  I  could  command,  for  the  removal  of  his 
baggage,  field  pieces,  and  sick ;  he  having  only  70  men  fit  for 
duty.  I  marched  to  the  relief  of  the  colonel,  with  130  men  and 
85  horses,  and  assisted  him  in  removing  to  the  block-house,  upon 
Davis's  creek.  This  service  delayed.Tor  a  few  dajfs,  our  expe- 
dition to  the  nation ;  and  when  the  detachment  again  assembled 
upon  the  St.  John's  and  were  about  to  commence  their  march,  the 
men  had  but  sis  cr  seven  days  to  serve.  About  this  time,  I  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  colonel  Smith,  advising  me  to  propose  to  the 
detachment,  an  extension  of  their  service  for  15  or  80  days 
Jonger,  as  the  time  for  which  they  were  engaged  was  deemed  in- 
sttflncient  to  accomplish  any  object  of  the  expedition.  This  mea- 
sure I  had  contemplated,  and  its  sanction  b^r  the  colonel,  met^with 
my  most  hearty  approbation ;  fori  was  unwilling  to  proceed  to  an 
enemy's  country,  with  a  single  man  who  woura  declare,  that  in 
anj^  evimt,  he  would  not  serve  a  day  longer  than  the  time  for 
which  he  had  originally  volunteered. 

I  accordingly  assembled  the  detachment,  and,  after  staUng  the 
necessity  of  a  tender  of  further  service,  proposed  that  the  men 
should  volunteer  for  three  weeks  longer— when  84  men,  includ- 
ing officers,  stepped  out,  and  were  enrolled,  which,  with  the  ad- 
dition of  83  volunteer  militia,  sent  to  my  aid,  by  colonel  Smith, 
and  9  patriots,  under  the  command  of  captain  Cone,  made  my 
whole  force  amount  to  1 17.  With  this  small  body,  provided  witn 
4  days  provisions,  and  18  horses,  I  was  determined  to  proceed  to 
the  nation,  and  cive  those  merciless  sava^es^  at  least,  one  battle ; 
and  I  was  emboldened  in  this  determination,  by  the  strong  expec- 
tation of  beinc  succoured  by  a  body  of  cavalry  from  St.  Mary's ; 
and  which,  ii lias  since  ^>peared,  did  assemble  at  Colerain,  but 
proceeded  no  further.  On  the  evening  of  tlie  24tli  of  September, 
we  left  the  St  Jdin's,  marching  in  Indian  file ;  Captain  Hum- 
phrey's company  of  riflemen  in  front,  Captain  Fort's  company,  un- 
der me  comnuuid  of  lieutenant  Fannin,  in  the  centre,  and  captain 


Hi 


i 


ri; 


80 

Coleman's  company,  with  Cone's  detachment,  under  the  command* 
of  lieutenant  Broadnax,  in  the  rear.    A  small  part v  marched  in 
front  of  the  main  body,  and  another  in  the  rear.    17  t  openness 
of  the  ground  (except  in  particular  places^  rendered  it  unne- 
cessary to  employ  men  upon  the  right  and  left.    Our  encamp- 
ments, at  night,  (there  beiiag  three  companies)  were  in  the  form 
of  a  triangle,  with  the  ba^age  in  the  centre ;  the  men,  with  their 
clothes  on,  lying  with  their  feet  pointing  outwards,  and  their  fire- 
locks in  their  arms.    In  case  of  an  attack,  the  officers  were  in- 
structed to  bring  up  their  companies,  upon  the  right  and  left  of 
th?  company  fronting  the  enemy,  and  attend  to  the  Indian  mode 
of  fighting,  until  ordered  to  charge.    In  case  of  meeting  the  ene- 
my upon  our  march,  Humphrey's  company  was  instructed  to  file 
off  to  the  right;  Fort's  company  to  advance,  and  form  to  the 
front,  in  single  rank ;  and  Coleman's  company  to  file  off  to  the 
left :  the  whole,  then,  to  advance,  in  the  form  of  a  crescent,  and 
endeavour  to  encircle  the  enemy.    On  the  morning  of  the  4th 
day  of  our  jmarch,  when  we  were  within  6  or  7  miles  of  the 
Lotchaway  towns,  our  advanced  party  discovered  a  body  of  In- 
dians, marching  along  the  path,  meeting  us,  and,  at  the  same  mo- 
ment, they  appeared  to  have  discovered  us.    As  soon  as  I  was 
informed  ot  it,  I  lost  no  time  in  giving  the  necessary  directions 
for  the  companies  to  advance,  and  obey  the  instructions  which  had 
been  previously  given  to  them,   and  which  appeared   exactly 
suited  to  the  situation  in  which  we  found  the  enemy.     As  Soon  . 
as  Fort's  company  (at  the  head  of  which  I  had  placed  myself)  had 
advanced  to  its  proper  ground,  I  discovered  the  Indians  falling 
back,  and  making  every  preparation  for  battle,  by  unslinging  their 
packs,  priming  tneir  rifles,  and  each  man  taking  his  tree.     We 
continued  to  advance,  taking  advantage  of  the  trees  in  our  pro- 
gress, until  we  were  within  130  yards  of  the  Indians,  when  many 
of  them  fired,  and  I  instantly  ordered  the  chai^,  which  drove  them 
from  behind  the  trees,  and  caused  them  to  retire  with  the  great- 
est precipitation,  our  men,  all  the  while,  firing  at  them,  slew  se- 
veral; and,^  repeated  charges,  drove  them  half  a  mile,  when 
they  took  shelter  in  the  swamp.    It  unfortunately  happened,  (I 
presume  through  inadvertance)  that  Humphrey's  company  in  filing 
to  the  right,  took  too  great  a  circuit,  got  a  small  sv  amp  between 
them  and  the  enemy,  and  thereby  rendered  the  victory  less  deci- 
sive than  it  would  have  been,  had  the  whole  charged  together, 
and  before  the  Indians  had  dispersed  themselves,  and  extended 
their  force  (which  they  soon  did)  near  half  a  mile  up  and  down 
the  swamp.    The  company  however  was  of  service  afterwards, 
in  preventing  the  enemy  after  their  dispersion  from  entering  our 
eamp,  retaking  their  baggage  and  provision  (all  of  which  feil  into 
our  hands)  or  falling  upon  the  wounded  that  had  been  sent  to  the 
rear.    The  action^  including  the  skirmishing  upon  the  flanks, 
lasted  two  hours  and  a  half — the  Indians  frequently  attempting 
to  outflank  us,  and  get  in  our  rear,  but  wci-e  repulsed  by  the  com- 


ftl 


fNUiies  extending  on  our  right  and  left  We  had  1  man  killed^ 
and  9  wounded ;  2  of  which  have  since  died  of  their  wounds. 
The  loss  of  the  enemy  must  have  been  considerable ;  I  saw  7  fall 
to  the  ground  vrith  mv  own  eye,  among  whom  was  their  king. 
Payne :  two  of  them  fell  near  the  swamp,  the  rest  our  men  had  the 
curiosity  to  scalp.  The  rifle  company  on  the  right,  and  Broad- 
nax's  on  the  left,  speak  of  killing  several  near  the  swamp,  who 
were  borne  off  by  uieir  comrades ;  it  beine  a  principle  among 
the  savages,  to  carry  off  their  dead  at  the  risk  of  their  lives.  We 
remained  on  the  battle  ground  watching  the  movements  of  th« 
Indians,  who  were  near  the  swamp  paintine  themselves,  and  ap- 
peared to  be  in  consultation ;  all  of  which  indicated  an  intention  to 
renew  the  combat  Accordingly,  halt  an  hour  before  sun  set  having 
obtained  a  considerable  remibrcement  of  negroes  and  Indians, 
from  their  towns,  they  commenced  the  most  horrid  yells  imagin- 
able, imitilting  the  cries  and  noise  of  almost  every  animal  of  the 
forest :  their  chiefs  advancing  in  front,  in  a  stooping,  serpentine 
manner,  and  makine  the  most  wild  and  frantic  gestures,  until 
they  approached  wimin  200  yards  of  us,  when  they  halted,  and 
commenced  firing.  Our  men  were  not  to  be  alarmed  by  their 
noise  find  yells ;  but  as  instructed,  remained  perfectly  still  and 
steady  behind  logs  and  trees,  until  the  enemy,  by  this  forbear- 
ance, had  approached  somewhat  nearer,  when  a  brisk  and  well 
directed  fire  from  our  line,  soon  drove  them  back  to  their  origi 
nal  ground.  I  would  now  have  ordered  the  charge ;  but  beini 
under  the  necessity,  from  the  extension  of  the  enemy's  Une,ol 
detaching  nearly  one  half  of  my  force  to  protect  our  camp  and 
wounded,  (the  assailing  of  which,  is  a  great  object  with  Indians,) 
I  was  left  to  contend  with  a  force  tliree  times  as  numerous  as  my 
own.  The  action  lasted  until  8  o'clock,  when  the  enemy  were 
completely  repulsed  in  every  attempt  whether  made  upon  our 
centre  or  flanks.  We  ha«l  two  men  killed,  and  one  wounded  i. 
the  enemy  carried  off  several  of  their  men  before  it  was  dark ; 
after  which,  all  firing  (of  course  at  random)  was  at  the  spot 
from  whence  the  flash  arose.  After  fighting  and  fasting  the 
whole  day,  we  had  to  work  through  the  night;  and  at  day -light 
had  a  tolerable  breast-^work  of  logs  and  eartii,  with  port  holes, 
on  the  ground  on  which  the  battle  was  fought :  we  were  reduced 
to  this  necessity;  for,  in  despatching  captain  Whitaker  about 
dark,  to  St  JoKn's  for  a  reinforcement,  six  more  men  took  the 
liberty  to  accompany  him,  taking  with  them  our  best  horsec :  our 
pilot  and  surgeon,  (who  was  sick,)  was  among  the  number.  Th6 
two  days  succeeding  the  battle,  we  neither  saw  nor  heard  any 
thing  of  tlie  enemy ;  but  ou  the  evening  of  the  third  day,  they 
commenced  firing  on  our  work,  at  a  long  distance,  and  renewed 
it  every  day,  for  5  or  6  days,  but  without  killing  or  wounding 
any  of  oui  men.  After  killing  two  or  three  of  them,  through 
our  port  holes,  they  seldom  came  within  gun  phot.  Seven  or 
eight  days  had  now  elapsed,  since  our  express  had  lelt  us    hun^ 


^1^ 


n 


l 


I   i 


Bit 

ger  was  aUring  us  in  the  face,  and  we  were  reduced  to  the  ne- 
eeaaitjr  of  eating  one  of  our  horses ;  we  had  no  surgeon  to  dress 
the  wounded,  and  apprehensions  were  entertained,  that  the  ene- 
my would  receive  reinforcements  from  Augustine,  or  the  Ma- 
kasukie  Indians.  Expecting  relief  every  hour,  I  was  unwiUinK 
to  leave  our  breast-work,  while  we  had  a  horse  left  to  eat ;  but  I 
understood,  from  some  of  my  officers,  that  a  certain  captain  was 
determined  to  leave  us,  withnis  company ;  and  that  many  of  the 
men,  giving  up  all  hopes  of  relief,  talked  bf  deserting  in  the  night« 
rather  than  perish,  or  fall  a  sacrifice  to  the  merciless  negroes  and 
Indians,  whom  they  were  taught  to  believe  would  surround  us  in 
great  numbers  in  a  few  days.  In  this  tryine  situation,  when  our 
few  remaining  horses  were  shot  down  by  them,  and  the  number 
of  our  sick  daily  increasing,  I  reluctantly  assented  to  leave  our 
works  that  night,  and  directed  the  litters  to  be  prepared,  to  carry 
the  wounded.  About  9  o'clock  we  commenced  our  distressing 
march,  carrying  5  wounded  men  in  litters,  and  supporting  two  or 
three  more.  We  had  not  proceeded  more  than  eight  miles,  when 
the  men  became  perfectly  exhausted  from  hunger  and  fatigue, 
and  were  unable  to  carry  the  wounded  any  farther.  About  two 
hours  after  we  left  our  breast-works,  25  horsemen,  with  provi- 
sions, arrived  to  our  relief,  on  a  different  road  from  the  one  we 
had  taken ;  but,  from  motives  best  known  to  themselves,  instead 
of  following  us,  returned  to  St.  John's,  and  we  were  left  to  en- 
counter new  difficulties ;  two  men  that  I  had  despatched  on  the 
path  the  horsemen  came,  by  some  means  or  other  missing  them. 
We  again  constructed  a  plan  of  defence,  and  1  despatched  ser- 

feant-major  Reese,  with  one  private,  to  Picolata,  to  learn  what 
ad  occasioned  the  delay  of  our  expected  supplies ;  and  told 
him  I  should  remain  where  1  was,  until  I  could  hear  from  him, 
and  endeavoured  to  procure  cattle,  as  I  discovered  signs  of  their 
being  near  us.    The  evil  genius  of  captain  ,  again  pre- 

vailed ;  and  I  have  since  learned  from  captain  Cone,  that  this 
person  instigated  not  only  him,  but  many  of  the  privates,  to  urg^ 
a  departure  from  our  works,  even  in  the  day  time,  when  I  was 
convinced  that  the  Indians,  knowing  our  weak  situation,  would 
endeavour  to  ambuscade.  This  gentleman,  if  innocent,  will  have 
an  <H»portunity  of  proving  himself  so  before  a  court  martial. 

With  a  burning  fever  on  me,  and  scarcely  able  to  walk,  the 
inarch  was  ordered  about  3  o'clock,  P.  M.  I  had  directed  the 
adjutant,  captain  Harden,  to  march  in  front,  to  avoid  all  places 
where  there  could  be  an  ambuscade,  and  the  litters  should  be  dis- 
tributed among  the  diflferent  companies.    Being  extremely  weak* 

I  marched  in  the  rear,  with  captain ,  (who  carried  my 

firelock,)  lieutenant  Fannin,  and  about  15  or  20  privates.  We 
had  scarcely  marched  five  miles,  before  the  front  of  the  detach- 
ment discovered  the  heads  of  several  Indians,  on  both  sides  of 
the  path,  from  among  several  pine  trees  that  were  laid  prostrate 
by  tne  hur:.  .;ane ;  the  same  instant,  the  enemy  fired  upon  out 


83 


advanced  party,  and  shot  down  four  of  them ;  one«  a  Spaniard, 
died  on  the  spot,  and  two  survived  a  few  days ;  my  negro  boy 
was  one  of  them.  The  moment  I  heard  the  firing;,  I  ordered  the 
detachment  to  charge,  and  the  Indians  were  completely  defeated, 
in  15  minutes ;  many  of  them  dropping  their  guns,  and  the  whole 
running  oiT,  without  ever  attemptine  to  rally ;  four  were  left  dead 
on  the  field ;  and  I  am  convinced,  n-om  the  constant  fire  we  kept 
up,  that  many  more  must  have  been  slain,  but  were  hid  from  our 
view,  by  the  thick  palmetto  bushes.  We  lay  on  the  battle  ground 
all  night,  and  started  next  day  at  10  o'clock — marched  five  miles, 
and  again  threw  up  breast-works,  between  two  ponds,  living  upon 
gophers,  alligators,  and  palmetto  stocks,  until  sergeant-major 
Reese  arrived  with  provisions,  and  14  horses,  when  we  were  en- 
abled to  proceed  to  St.  John's  with  all  our  sick  and  wounded, 
where  a  gun -boat,  by  the  direction  of  colonel  Smith,  was  in 
waiting  for  us,  which  conveyed  us  to  his  camp,  where  we  met  with 
every  attention  that  humanity  or  benevolence  could  bestow. 

I  cannot  refrain  from  here  expressing  the  high  sense  I  have  of 
the  care  and  anxiety  which  colonel  Smith  has  manifested  for  the 
detachment  under  my  command,  and  his  promptitude  in  afford- 
ing every  aid  in  his  power,  when  apprized  of  our  situation.  My 
pen  can  scarcely  do  justice  to  tne  merits  of  the  brave  officers 
and  men  under  my  command,  their  fortitude  under  all  their  pri- 
vations and  distresses  never  forsaking  them.  Captain  Hamilton 
(who  volunteered  as  a  private,  his  company  having  left  him  at  the 
expiration  of  their  time)  lieutenant  Fannin,  ensign  Hamilton  and 
adjutant  Harden  distinguished  themselves  in  a  particular  man- 
ner, being  always  among  the  first  to  charge,  and  first  in  pursuit ; 
sergeants  Holt  and  Attaway  likewise  acted  very  bravely,  and 
Fort's  company  in  general  (being  always  near  me  and  under  my 
immediate  view)  advanced  to  the  charge  with  the  st  .%>  Jiness  of 
veterans.  Lieutenant  Broadnax  showed  a  great  deal  of  courage 
and  presence  of  mind,  and  ensign  Mann,  who  was  wounded  m 
the  nrst  action,  fought  well.  Captain  Cone,  who  was  wounded  in 
tiie  head  early  in  the  action,  behaved  well,  an'^  lieutenant  Wil- 
liams did  himself  great  honour  in  every  action,  but  particularly 
in  the  bold  and  manly  stand  he  made  m  the  ni|^t  engagement 
Sei^eant  Hawkins  and  corporal  Neil,  of  Coleman's  company, 
acted  like  soldiers,  and  sergeant-major  Reese's  activity  was 
only  surpassed  by  his  courase ;  he  was  every  where  and  always 
brave. ^  Captain  Humphrey's  company  acted  bravely,  particu- 
larly lieutenant  Reed,  serseant  Fields,  sergeant  Cowa  •.,  sergeant 
Denmar'a,  and  t^  any  of  the  privates.  I  can  only  speak  of  cap- 
tain Humphreys  from  the  report  of  some  of  his  men,  who  say 
he  acted  well ;  it  so  happening  he  nefer  met  my  eye  during 
either  of  the  engagements,  while  the  conduct  of  every  other 
person  that  I  have  named  (except  one  or  tvfo)  camte  under  mf 
personal  observation. 


.  1 


h'-. 


m 


i  . 


\M 


f 


84 

The  number  of  Indians,  in  the  first  engagement,  from  every 
circumstance  that  appeared,  must  have  been  from  7.5  to  100.  la 
the  second  engagement,  their  number,  including  negroes  (who  are 
their  best  soldiers)  was  double  our's ;  and,  in  the  third  engage- 
ment, there  appeared  to  be  50,  which  was  nearly  equal  to  our 
force,  after  deducting  the  sick  and  wounded.  From  every  cir- 
cumstance I  am  induced  to  believe  that  the  number  of  killed  and 
vounded  among  the  Indians,  must  be  at  least  fifty. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  yours,  &c. 

DANIEL  NEWMAN. 

His  Excellency  David  B.  Mitchell. 


;     t 


!fS    ' 


PITTSBURG,  October  23d,  1811 

SIR.      - 

I  embrace  this  opportunity  to  render  you  an  account  of  the 
garrison  of  Chicago. 

On  the  9th  of  August  last,  I  received  orders  from  general  Hull 
to  evacuate  the  post  and  proceed  with  my  command  to  Detroit, 
by  land,  leaving  it  at  my  discretion  to  dispose  of  the  public  pro- 
perty as  I  thought  proper.  The  neigbourin^  Indians  got  infor- 
mation as  early  as  I  did,  and  came  in  from  all  quarters  in  order 
to  receive  the  goods  in  the  factory  store,  which  they  understood 
were  to  be  given  them.  On  the  1 3th,  Captain  Wells,  of  fort 
Wayne,  arrived  with  about  30  Miamies,  for  the  purpose  of  es-^ 
cortmg  us  in,  by  the  request  of  general  Hull.  On  the  14th,  I 
delivered  the  Indians  all  the  j^^ods  in  the  factory  store,  and  a  con- 
siderable quantity  of  provisions  which  we  could  not  take  away 
with  us.  The  surplus  arms  and  ammunition  I  thought  proper  to 
destroy,  fearing  they  would  make  bad  use  of  it  if  put  in  their 
possession.  I  also  destroyed  all  the  liquor  on  hand  soon  after 
they  began  to  collect.  The  collection  was  unusually  large  for 
that  place ;  but  they  conducted  themselves  with  the  stncteet  pro- 
priety till  after  I  left  the  fort.  On  the  15th,  at  9  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  we  commenced  our  march :  a  part  of  the  Miamies  were 
detached  in  front  and  the  remainder  in  our  rear,  as  guarde, 
under  the  direction  of  captain  Wells.  The  situation  of  the 
country  rendered  \\.  necessary  for  us  to  take  the  lv»ach,  ^/»th  the 
lake  on  our  left,  iind  a  high  sand  bank  on  our  right,  at  f  bout  100 
yards  distance. 

We  had  proceeded  about  a  mile  and  a  half,  when  it  was  disco- 
vered that  the  Indians  were  prepared  to  attack  us  from  behind 
the  bank.  1  immediately  inarched  iip  with  the  company  to  the 
top  of  the  bank,  when  the  action  commenced ;  after  firing  one 
round,  we  charged,  and  the  Indians  gave  way  in  front  and  joined 


85 


J '. 


fhdse  on  cur  flanks.    In  about  fifteen  minutes  they  got  posses- 
sion of  all  our  horses,  provisions,  and  bag|g;age  of  every  descrip- 
tion, and  finding  the  Miamies  did  not  assist  us,  I  drew  off  the 
few  men  I  had  left,  and  took  possession  of  a  small  elevation  in 
the  open  prairie,  out  of  shot  of  the  bank  or  any  other  cover.    The 
Indians  did  not  follow  me,  but  assembled  in  a  body  on  the  top,  of 
the  bank,  and  after  some  consultations  among  themselveSv  ntadf 
signs  for  me  to  approach  them.    I  advanced  towards  them  alone, 
and  was  met  by  one  of  the  Potawatamie  chiefs,  called  the  Black 
Bird,  with  an  interpreter.    After  shaking  hands,  he  requested 
nle  to  surrende* ,  promising  to  spare  the  lives  of  all  the  prisoners* 
On  a  few  moments  consideration,  I  concluded  it  would  be  most 
prudent  tp  comply  with  his  request,  although  I  did  not  put  entire 
confidenc:  in  nis  promis"..    After  delivering  up  our  arms,  we 
were  taken  back  to  their  encampment  near  the  fort,  and  distri- 
buted among  the  different  tribes.    Tlie  next  morning,  they  set 
fire  to  the  fort  and  left  the  place,  taking  the  prisoners  with  them. 
Their  number  of  warriors  was  between  four  and  five  hundred* 
mostly  of  the  Potawatamie  nation,  and  their  loss,  from  the  best 
information  I  could  get,  was  about  fifteen.    Our  strength  was 
fifty  four  regulars' and  twelve  militia,  out  of  which,  twenty -six 
regulars  and  all  the  militia  were  killed  in  the  action,  with  two 
women  and  twelve  children.    Ensign  George  Ronan  and  doctor 
Isaac  V.  Van  Voorhis  of  my  company,  vitn  captain  Wells,  of 
fort  Wayne,  are,  to  my  great  sorrow,  numbered  among  the  dead. 
Lieutenant  Lina  T.  Helm,  with  twenty -^ve  non-commissioned 
officers  and  privates,  and  eleven  women  and  children,  were  pri- 
soners when  we  were  separated.    Mrs.  Heald  and  myself  were 
taken  to  the  mouth  of  the  riyer  St.  Joseph,  and  being  both  badly 
wounded,  were   permitted  to  reside  with  Mr.  Burnet,  an  Indian 
trader.     In  a  few  days  after  our  arrival  there,  the  Indians  all 
went  off"  to  take  fort  Wayne,  and  in  their  absence,  I  engaged  a 
Frenrhman  to  take  us  to  Michilimackinac  by  water,  where  ij^ve 
ray  self  up  as  aprisoner  of  war,  with  one  of  ray  sergeants.    The 
commanaing  officer,  captain  Roberts,  offered  me  every  assistance 
in  his  power  to  render  our  situation  comfortable  wniie  we  re- 
mainea  tiiere,  and  to  enable  us  to  proceed  on  our  journey.    To 
him  I  gave  my  parole  of  honour,  and  came  on  to  Detroit  and  re- 
ported myself  to  colonel  Proctor,  who  gave  us  a  passage  to  Buf- 
laloe ;  from  that  place  I  came  by  the  way  of  Presque  Isle,  and 
arrived  here  yesterday. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  yours,  &c^ 

N.  HEALD, 
Captain  U,  &»  Infantry* 

Thomas  tL  Gushing,  Esqr. 
Adjutant  Genenu. 


'i  ■   I 


8« 


AFFAIR  AT  ST.  REGIS. 

•  -  « 

HI£AD  QUARTERS,  CAMP  FRENCH  MILLS, 

October  24th,  1812. 

6n  the  22d  I  despatched  several  confidential  friendg,  torecon- 
Buitre  about  the  village  of  St  Regis;  they  returned  with  the  in- 
fonhation,  that  the  enemy  had  landed  in  the  village,  and  that  we 
might  expect  a  visit  from  them  immediately.  Their  number  was 
stated  by  no  one  at  less  than  1 10,  and  from  that  to  SOO ;  the  most 
certain  information  fixed  on  the  former  number. 

It  was  also  believed  that  the  enemy  were  determined  to  make 
ft  stand  at  that  place,  and  would  speedily  increase  their  number: 
this  determinea  me  to  make  an  immediate  attempt  to  take  those 
already  landed,  before  any  reinforcement  could  at  rive.  I  order- 
ed  the  men  to  be  furnished  with  two  days  rations  of  provisions, 
with  double  rations  of  whiskey  ;  and  at  11  at  night,  we  marched 
"With  the  utmost  silence,  tliat  we  might  give  as  little  akini  as 


iptain  Lyoi 

company  crossed  in  tj^e  boat ;  captain  M'Neil^s,  in  tlie  canoe, 
and  the  remainder,  wi^h  our  horses,  crossed  on  the  cribs.  We 
arrived,  within  hidf  a  mile  of  the  village,  at  5  o'clock ;  where, 
being  concealed  fromi'he  enemy  by  a  litde  ris'S  of  ground,  Tve 
halted  to  reconnoitre,  refresh  the  men,  and  make  disposition  for 
the  attack,  which  waii  arranged  in  the  following  order  >— captain 
Lyon  waa  detached  i'rom  tlie  right,  with  orders  to  take  the  road, 
running  along  the  bank  of  the  St.  Regis  river,  with  directions  ta 
gain  the  rear  of  captain  Montaigny's  house,  in  which,  and  Don- 
ally's,  the  enemy  were  said  to  be  quartered.  Captain  Oilden 
was  detached  to  Ihe  St.  Lawrence,,  with  a  view  of  gaining  the 
route  of  Donally'g  house,  and  also  securing  the  enemy's  boats, 
expected  to  have  been  stationed  there  to  prevent  their  retreat. 
With  the  remainder  of  the  force,  I  moved  on  in  front,  and  ar> 
rived  within  a  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  Montaigny'a  hoase, 
when  I  found  by  tiie  fi*  ing,  that  captain  Lyon  was  engaged.  At 
the  same  instant,  I  discovered  a  person  passing  in  front,  and  or- 
dered him  to  stand ;  but  not  being  obeyed,  onlered  captain  Hig- 
bie's  first  platoon  to  fire,  and  the  poor  fellow  soon  fell;  he 
proved  to  be  the  ensign  named  in  the  list  of  killed.  The  finng 
was  at  an  end  in  an  instant,  and  we  soon  found  in  our  possession 
40  prisoners,  with  their  arms,  &c.— 4  killed— 1  wounded  mor- 
tally ;  took  1  stand  of  colours,  '2  batteaux,  38  guns, — 40  men. 

After  searching  in  vain  for  further  military  stores,  we  re- 
crossed  the  river  at  the  village,  and  returned  to  camp  by  the 
nearest  route,  where  we  amved  at  1 1  A.  M. — the  batteaux:, 
with  baggage,  &c.  arrived  a  few  minutes  before  us.  We  had 
not  a  man  hurt.    I  cannot  close  this  letter,  without  stating  to 


87 


y6ur  exeellency,  that  the  officers  and  soldiers,  for  their  conduct 
on  this  occasion,  deeeiire  the  hi^est  eneofniums ;  fur  so  strict 
was  their  attention  to  duty  and  orders,  that  we  entered  the  plact 
withont  even  heiitt  heara  bv  the  Indians'  d<^.  The  prisonert 
I  have  just  sent  on  to  Plattsburg,  to  s.vT:\t  the  disposition  of  jour 
excellency. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  yours,  &;c.. 
6.  D.  YOUNG. 
Majtn\  commanding  froojui  at  Frtnch  JUiJh* 

^Sriff.  General  Bhiomfield 


:  J 


NAVY  DEPARTMENT,  Oetdber  STth,  1819. 

SIR, 

I  have  received,  with  great  satisfaction,  your  communica- 
tion of  the  9th  instant ;  I  have  been  desired  by  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  to  return  to  you,  and  through  you,  to  the 
officers  and  men,  under  your  command,  in  the  expedition  to  fort 
Erie,  which  terminated  to  the  glory  of  the  American  arms,  hi^ 
particular  thanks. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  yours,  &c. 

PAUL  HAMILTON;* 

P.  S.  Your  having  abstained  from  fulfilling  your  intimation 
that  you  would  expose  your  prisoners  to  the  enemy's  fire,  is  high- 
ly approved. 

Jesse  D.  Elliott,  Esqr. 

Ueut.  Coimnanding,  BliMsk  Rock. 


tm%m 


U.  S.  SHIP  UNITED  STATES,  AT  SEA, 

October  30th,  1812. 

SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  on  the  35th  instant, 
being  in  the  latitude  29,  N.  longitude  29  SO,  W.  we  fell  in  with, 
and,  after  an  action  of  an  hour  and  a  half,  captured  his  Britannic 
Majesty's  ship  Macedonian,  commanded  by  captain  John  Carden» 
and  mounting  49  oamiatfe  guns  (the  odd  sun  shifting.)  She  is  a 
frigate  of  the  lamest  claaa,  two  years  oid^  four  months  out  Of 
dock,  and  reputed  one  of  the  best  sailors  in  the  British  service. 
The  enemy  being  fo  windward,  had  the  advantage  of  engaging 
ut  tit  his  own  distance,  which  was  so  great,  that  for  the  first  halt 
hour  we  did  not  use  our  carronades,  and  at  no  moment  was  he 
within  the  conijplete  elTect  of  our  musketry  or  grape — to  this  cir- 
cumstance anil  a  heavv  swell,  which  was  on  at  the  time,  I, as- 
cribe the  unusual  lengUl  <rf  the  action. 


;j| 


'X  ■■:" 


¥  ■ 


y 


H 


4 


88 

The  enthusiasm  of  every  officer,  seaman  and  marine  on  board 
this  ship,  on  discoverine  the  enemy— their  steady  conduct  in 
battle,  and  precision  of  their  fire,  could  not  be  surpassed.  Where 
all  met  m^f  fullest  expectations,  it  would  be  unjust  for  me  ttf  dis- 
criminate. Permit  me,  however,  to  recommend  to  your  particu- 
lar notice,  my  first  lieutenant,  William  H.  Allen.  He  has  served 
with  me  upwards  of  five  years,  and  to  his  unremitted  exertions 
in  disciplining  the  crew,  is  to  be  imputed  the  obvious  superiority 
of  our  ^nnery  exhibited  in  the.  result  of  this  contest 

Subjoined  is  a  list  of  the  killed  and  wounded  on  both  sides. 
Our  loss,  compared  with  that  of  the  enemy,  will  appear  small. 
Amongst  our  wounded,  you  will  observe  the  name  of  lieutenant 
Funk,  who  died  in  a  few  hours  after  the  action — ^he  was  an  officer 
of  great  gallantry  and  promise,  and  the  uervice  has  sustained  a 
severe  loss  in  his  death. 

The  Macedonian  lost  her  mizen-mast,  fore  and  main-top- 
masts and  main  yard,  and  was  much  cut  up  in  her  hull.  The  dam- 
age sustained  by  this  ship  was  not  such  as  to  render  her  return 
into  port  necessary,  and  had  I  not  deemed  it  important  that  we 
should  see  our  pnze  in,  should  have  continued  our  cruise. 
With  tlie  highest  consideration,  1  am,  yours,  &c. 

STEPHEN  DECATUR, 

The  Hon.  Paul  HamUton. 


KiUed 

Wounded      -       -       . 

5 

r- 

-1  since 

m 

dead 

iT" 

■ 

MACEDONIAN. 

KiUed        .       .        . 
Wounded      •       -       - 

36 
68 

« 

104 

S 

RUSSEL»S  INDIAN  EXPEDITION. 

CAMP  RUSSEL,  October  31st,  1812. 

SIR, 

This  will  inform  you,  that  I  arrived  at  ^this  place,  from 
Vincennes,  after  general  Hopkins  had  marched  his  mounted  rifle- 
men up  to  fort  lurrison.  I  took  with  me,  a  part  of  three  com- 
panies of  United  States'  rangers,  where  I  was  joined  by  governw 
Edwards,  with  his  mou&ted  rifleuien ;  the  whole  of  our  strength 
amounted  to  360  privates.  We  penetrated  very  far  into  the  In- 
dian country,  with  an  expectation  of  co-operating  with  general 
Hopkins,  who,  by  appointment,  was  to  meet  us  at  the  Peoria,  <tt 
the'  Illinois  rivet.    In  this,  we  were  sadly  disappointed,  as  we 


^ 


could  get  BO  intelligence  of  his  armj.  This  prevented  us  from 
doing  as  much  damage  to  the  Indians,  a*  otnerwiee  we  could 
have  done.  As  our  numbers  were  too  weak  to  make  any  delay 
in  that  quarter;  as  this  was  farther  than  any  troops  had  hitherto 
penetrated,  we  stole  a  march  upon  the  celebrated  Pimartam*s 
town,  situated  about  21  miles  above  Peoria,  and  immediately  at 
the  head  of  Peoria  lake.  This  was  a  well  built  town,  and  con- 
tained a  number  of  Indians ;  between  the  town  and  river,  was  a 
dismal  swamp,  in  which  they  immediately  flew  for  shelter,  re- 
turning; a  few  scattering  shots.  Our  men  nobly  pursued  them 
through  the  swamp ;  and  also  others,  as  they  were  crossing  the 
Illinois  river.  The  men  also  pursued  them  to  the  opposite  bank> 
and  brought  back  some  of  their  canoes,  and  several  dead  bodies-^* 
the  governor  states,  to  be  upwards  of  20  killed,  of  the  enemy. 
This  was  a  flourishing  town,  with  an  immense  deal  of  Indian 
plunder  in  it,  together  with  a  great  deal  of  com ;  all  of  which 
was  committed  to  the  flames.  I  believe  not  less  than  80  horses 
fell  into  our  hands  belonjg^ng  to  the  enemy.  Several  white  per- 
sons* scalps  were  also  found  among  their  plunder.  I  had  the 
immediate  command  of  the  battalion,  and  the  superior  command 
was  retained  by  his  excellency  the  governor.  On  this  expedition 
we  were  fortunate;  we  had  but  4  men  wounded,  none  of  which  is 
mortal.  This  tour  was  performed  from  camp,  and  back  to  the  ^|me 
place,  in  13  days.  / 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  yours,  &c. 
W.  RUSSELL, 
Colonel  7th  JHsU  Comdg» 
The  Secretary  of  War. 


!)  ''! 


lb' 
1' 


SIR, 


AT  iSEA,  longitude  32,  latitude  33,  November  1, 1812. 


I  wrote  you  on  the  18th  ultimo,  by  the  British  packet  Swal- 
low, informing  vou  of  having  captured  that  vessel  with  between 
an  hundred  and  fifty  and  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  on  board; 
and  I  now  write  you  by  a  British  South  Sea  ship,  loaded  witii  oil, 
captured  yesterdfay,  one  of  two  ships  under  convoy  of  the  frigate 
Galatea. 

The  above  ship  is  manned  by  the  Congress,  and  it  is  now  blow- 
ing so  fresh,  that  I  cannot  learn  from  Captain  Smith  her  name, 
haying  separated  from  him  yesterday  in  chase  of  the  Galatea 
whilst  he  Was  manning  the  prize,  and  owing  to  excessive  bxd 
weather,  last  ni^t,  was  unable  to  join  him  to  day. 

I  got  within  six  or  seven  miles  of  the  Galatea  by  sun-set,  but 
&e  extreme  darkness  of  the  night  enabled  her  to  escape. 

With  the  greatest  respect,  I  am,  &c. 

JOHN  R0DGER3i 

The  Hon.  Paul  Hanulton, 

Secretsty  of  the  Nkvy. 


90 


I  I. 


I 

I: 


B  VCKETT'S  HARBOR,  November  13th,  1819. 

BIR, 

I  arrived  here  last  evenina:  in  a  gale  of  wind,  the  pWrn^  nM- 
ing  refused  to  keep  the  lake.  On  the  8th  I  fell  in  with  tiiC  Roj- 
al  George,  and  chased  her  into  the  bay  of  Quanti,  where  I  lost 
sight  of  ner  in  the  nlxht.  In  the  morning  of  the  9th  we  u;ain  got 
sight  of  her  lying  in  Kinnton  channel.  We  gave  chase,  and  follow- 
ed her  into  the  harbor  of  Kingston,  where  we  engaged  her  and  the 
batteries  for  one  hour  and  45  minutes.  I  had  made  up  my  mind 
to  board  her,  but  she  was  so  well  protected  by  the  batteries,  and 
the  wind  blowing  directly  in,  it  was  deemed  imprudent  to  make 
the  attempt  at  that  time ;  the  pilots  also  refused  to  take  charge 
of  the  vessel.  Under  these  circumstances,  and  it  being  after 
sun-down,  I  determined  to  haul  oft'  and  renew  the  attack  next 
morning.  We  beat  up  in  good  order  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the 
Royal  George  and  batteries  to  4  mile  point,  where  we  anchored. 
It  blew  heavy  in  squalls  from  the  westward  during  the  night, 
and  there  was  every  appearance  of  a  gale  of  wind.  The  pilots 
became  alarmed,  and  I  thought  it  most  prudent  to  get  into  a  place 
of  more  safety.  I  therefore  (very  reluctantly)  deferred  renewing 
the  attack  upon  the  ships  and  forts  until  a  more  favourable  op- 
portunity. 

Ait  a.  M.  on  the  10th,  I  niaJe  the  signal  to  weigh,  and  we 
beat  out  of  a  vetj  rnrrow  channel,  under  a  very  heavy  press  of 
sail  to  the  opr^^  U'm"^  At  10  we  fell  in  with  the  governor  Sincoe 
running  for  ¥ih^^im<.y  and  chased  her  into  the  harbor.  She  es- 
caped by  niiin'msj;  over  a  reef  of  rocks  under  a  heavy  fire  from 
the  Governor  ToiiK>kins,  the  Hamilton  and  the  Julia,  which  cut 
her  very  much.  All  her  people  ran  below  while  under  the  fire 
of  these  vessels.  The  Hamilton  chased  her  into  nine  feet  water 
before  she  hauled  offl  We  tacked  to  the  soulhwurd,  with  an  in- 
tention of  running  to  our  station  at  the  Ducks,  but  it  coming  on 
to  blow  very  heavy,  the  pilots  told  me  it  would  be  unsafe  to  keep 
the  lakes.    I  bore  up  for  this  place,  where  I  arrived  last  night. 

In  our  passage  through  the  b^y  of  Quanti,  I  discovered  a 
schooner  at  the  village  or  Arming  <.jwn  which  we  took  possession 
of,  but  finding  she  would  detain  us  (being  then  in  chase  of  the 
Royal  Geo^ejl  ordered  lieutenant  Macpherson  to  take  out  her 
sails  and  rigging  and  bum  her,  whichhe  did.  We  also  took  the 
schooner  Mary,  Hall,  from  Niagara,  at  the  mcntii  of  Kingston  har- 
bor, and  took  tier  with  us  to  our  ancho  age.  The  next  inomin|^ 
finding  that  she  could  not  beat  through  the  channel  with  us,  I 
ordered  the  sailing  master  of  the  Growler  to  take  her  under  con- 
voy and  run  down  past  Kingston,  anchor  on  the  east  end  of  Long 
Island,  and  wait  for  a  wind  to  come  up  on  the  east  side.  I  wias  ^ 
also  in  hopes  that  the  Royal  George  might  be  induced  to  follow 
for  the  purpose  of  re-taking  our  prize,  but  her  commander  was 
too  well  aware  of  the  consequences  to  leave  httt  moorings.  We 
lost  in  this  affair  one  man  killed,  and  three  slightly  wounded. 


VVH 


K  and  it  was 
"^rent  times 

and  men  on 


with  a  few  shot  through  our  salU.  The  other  vessels  lost  no  men 
and  received  but  little  injury  in  their  hulls  and  sails,  with  the 
exception  of  the  Pert,  whose  gun  burst  in  the  early  part  of  the 
action,  and  wounded  her  commander  (sailing-master  Arundel) 
badlv,  and  a  midshipman  aad  three  men  slightly.  Mr.  Arundel, 
who  refused  to  quit  the  deck,  although  wounded,  was  knocked 
overboard  in  beating  up  td  anchorage,  and  I  am  sorry  to  say  was 
drowned. 

The  Royal  Oeoree  must  have  received  verv  considerable  in- 
jury in  her  hull  ^d  in  men,  as  the  gun  vo  with  a  lonjfj;  32 
pounder  were  seen  to  strike  her  almop^ 

Sbserved  that  she  was  reinforced  with  tiv 
uringthe  action. 

I  have  great  pleasure  in  saying  that  the 
board  every  vessel  behaved  with  the  utmost  coolness,  and  are 
extremely  anxious  to  meet  the  enemy  on  the  open  lake,  and  as 
long  as  1  have  the  honour  to  command  such  officers  and  such  men, 
I  can  have  no  doubt  of  the  result. 

I  think  I  can  say  with  great  propriety,  that  we  have  now  the 
command  of  the  lake,  and  that  we  can  transport  troops  and  stores 
to  any  part  of  it  without  any  risk  of  an  attack  from  the  enemy. 
Although  the  whole  of  his  naval  force  was  not  collected  at  Kings- 
ion,  yet  the  force  at  the  different  batteries  would  more  than  coun- 
terbalance the  vessels  that  were  absent.  It  was  thought  by^  all 
the  officers  in  the  s<|^uadron,  that  the  enemy  had  more  than  thirty 
suns  mounted  at  Kingston,  and  from  1,000  to  1,500  men.  The 
Roysl  Geoi^,  protected  by  this  force,  was  driven  into  the  inner 
harbor,  under  he  protectitm  of  the  musketry,  by  the  Oneida  and 
four  small  schooners  fitted  out  as  gun  bloats ;  the  Governor 
Tompkins  not  having;  been  able  to  join  in  the  action  until  about 
sun-down,  owing  to  the  lightness  of  the  winds,  and  the  Port's  gun 
having  burst  tlie  second  or  third  shot. 

We  are  replacing  all  deficiencies,  and  I  ahill  proceed  up  the 
lake  the  first  wind,  m  the  hop^s  to  fall  in  wri  ui  the  Earl  Mmra  and 
the  Prince  Regent ;  at  any  rate  I  shall  endeavour  to  preveut  them 
from  forming^  a  junction  with  the  Royal  George  acain  this  winter^ 
I  shall  also  visit  Niagara  river  if  practicable,  in  order  to  land  some 

Sins  and  stores  that  I  have  taken  on  board  for  that  purpose.  If 
e  enemy  are  still  in  possession  of  Queenstown,  I  shall  try  to 
land  them  a  few  miles  below.  I  shall  have  the  honour  of  writ- 
ing you  more  in  detail  upon  this  subject  on  my  return,  or  perhaps 
before  I  leave  here,  if  the  wind  shouM  continue  ahead. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  yours,  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 

Th^  Hon  Paul  Kanuhon, 

Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Washington. 


"3 

ill 


^, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


V 


z 


^J^ 

^ 


^ 


1.0 


I.I 


■u  Uii   12.2 
2.0 


lU 

u 


liO 


U£ 


1 

III  1.25  1^  ||.6 

^ 

6" 

^ 

i^^^ 

^  ^ 


^J 


w 

■> 


PhoiDgraphic 

ScMices 

Carporation 


^ 


¥^ 


^ 


;\ 


^^^S.^^ 


23  WIST  MAM  STIMT 

WIISTII,N.Y.  MSN 

(7I«)  172-4303 


4^0 


.V 


c\ 


5.^ 

3^ 


i 
> 


iv    Jr-' 


\ 


M 


JJtV 


In 

J" 


NEW  YORK,  November  34tli,  1819. 

SIR, 

I  here  avail  myself  of  the  first  opportunity  of  informing 
you  of  the  occtirrences  of  our  cruise,  wnich  terminated  in  the 
capture,  of  the  Wasp,  on  the  18th  of  October,  by  the  Poictiers 
of  74  gi^ns,  while  a  wreck  from  damiues  receiyed  in  an  engage- 
ment with  the  British  sloop  of  war  Frolic,  of  22  guns ;  16  of 
them  32  pound  carronades,  and  four  twelve  pounders  on  the 
main  deck,  and  two  twelve  pounders,  carronjides,  on  the  top« 
eallant-forecastle,  making  her  superior  in  force  to  us  by  four 
twelve  pounders.    The  Frolic  had  struck  to  us  and  was  takes 

?9ssession  of,  i^ut  tviro  hours  before  our  surrendering  to  the 
oictiers. 

We  had  left  the  Delaware  on  the  13th.  The  16th  had  a  heavy 
gale,  in  which  we  lost  our  ^b-boom  and  two  men.  Half  past  1 1, 
on  the  ni^t  of  the  17th,  in  the  latitode  of  37  degrees  north,  and 
longitude  65  degrees  west,  we  saw  several  sail ;  two  of  them  ap- 
peared very  large.  We  stood  from  thpm  for  some  time,  then  shor- 
tened sul  and  steered  the  remainder  of  the  night  the  course  we 
had  perceived  them  on.  At  day -light,  on  Sunday  the  18th,  we 
saw  them  ahead— gave  chase,  and  soon  discoverea  them  to  be  a 
convoy  of  six  sail,  under  tiie  protection  of  a  sloop  of  war,  four 
of  them  large  ships,  mounting  from  16  to  18  guns.  At  30  min- 
utes past  11,  A.  M.  we  engaged  the  sloop  of  war,  havin|;  first  re- 
ceived her  fire  at  the  distence  of  fifty  or  sixty  yards,  which  snace 
we  gradually  lessen^  until  we  laia  her  on  board,  after  a  well 
supported  fire  of  43  minutes;  and  althou^  so  near,  while  load- 
ins  the  last  broadside,  that  our  rammers  were  shoved  a^nst  the 
side  of  the  enemy,  our  men  exhibited  tiie  same  alacrity  which 
they  had  done  during  the  whole  of  the  action.  Thc^  imme- 
diately surrendered  upon  our  raining  their  forecastle,  so  that  no 
loss  was  sustained  on  either  s^e  after  hoarding;. 
-  Our  main-top-mast  was  shot  away  between  four  and  five  min- 
utes from  the  commencement  of  the  firing,  and  falling  together 
with  the  main-top-sul  yard  across  the  larboiard  fore  anaf(»«- 
top-sail  braces,  rendered  our  head -yards  unmanageable  the  re- 
mainder of  the  action.  At  eight  minutes  the  gaft  and  main  top- 
gallant-mast came  down,  and  at  twenty  minutes  from  the  begin- 
ning of  the  action,  every  brace  and  most  of  the  ngging  ^m  shot 
away.  A  few  minutes  after  separating  from  the  frolic,  both  her 
masts  fell  upon  deck,  the  main-mast  going  close  by  die  deck, 
and  the  fore-mnst  twelve'or  fifteen  feet  above  it. 

Tlie  courage  and  exertions  of  the  officers  and  crew  fully  an- 
swered my  expectations  ai^d  wishes.  Lieutenant  Biddle's  active 
conduct  contnbuted  much  to  our  success,  by  the  exact  attention 
paid  to  every  department  during  the  engagement,  and  the  ani- 
mating example  ne  afforded  the  crew  by  his  Intrepidity.  Lieu- 
tenants Kodgers,  Booth,  and  Mr.  Rapp,  shewed  by  the  incessant 
fire  from  their  divisions,  that  they  were  not  to  be  surpassed  i|i 


was  in 
centre 
buildii 
12pov 


as 

resolution  or  slull.  Mr.  Rnight  and  every  other  officer  acted 
with  a^  courage  and  promptitude  highly  honourable,  and  I  truat 
have  given  assurance  that  they  may  be  relied  on  whenever  tiieir 
services  may  be  required. 

I  could  not  ascertain  the  exact  Idss  of  the  enemy,  as  many  of 
the  dead  lay  buried  under  the  masts  and  spars  that  had  fallen 
upon  deck,  which  two  hours' exertion  had  not  sufficiently  removed. 
Mr.  Biddle,  who  had  chaise  of  the  Frolic,  states  that  from  what 
he  saw  and  from  information  from  the  officers,  the  number  of 
killed  must  have  been  about  thirtv,  and  that  of  the  wougded 
about  forty  or  fifty— «f  the  killed,  is  her  first  lieutenant  aqid 
sailinc  master;  of  the  wounded,  captain  Whinyatesand  the  se- 
cond lieutenant. 

We  had  five  killed  and  five  wounded  as  per  list ;  the  wounded 
are  recovering.  Lieutenant  Claxton,  who  was  confined  by  sickness, 
left  his  bed  a  little  previous  to  the  engagement,  and  though  too 
weak  to  be  at  his  division,  remained  upon  deck  and  shewed  b^ 
his  composed  manner  of  noting  incidents,  that  we  had  lost,  by  hip 
fliness,  the  services  of  a  brave  officer. 

I  am,  respectfully,  yours,  &c. 

JACOB  JONES^ 

The  Hon.  Paul  Hamilton, 

Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


vr  II, 
j.)  ■" 


i 


mi^ 


FORT  NIAGARA,  November  S5th,  1812. 

SIR, 

I  beg  leave  to  inform  you  that  on  the  morning  of  the  21st 
instant,  at  5  o'clock,  a  heavy  connonading  opened  upon  this  gar- 
rison from  all  the  batteries  at,  and  in  the  neighbourhood  of.  Fort 
George,  which  lasted,  without  intermissioi^until  after  sun-down. 
They  had  five  detached  batteries,  two  mounting  24  pounders, 
one  mounting  a  9,  and  two  mortar  batteries,  one  of  10|,  the 
other  5}  inch.  The  batteries  fired  hot  shot,  which  set  some  of 
our  buildings  on  fire,  but  from  the  extraordinary  vigilance  of  i\ie 
officers  ana  men,  particularly  major  Armistead  of  the  United 
States'  corps  of  eii^neers,  whoMi  indefatigable  exertions  were 
extended  to  all  parts  of  the  garrison,  the  fires  were  got  under 
without  being  observed  by  the  enemy. 

The  garrison  was  not  as  well  provided  with  artillery  and  am- 
,  munition  as  I  could  have  wished ;  however,  the  batteries  open^ 
a  trenMndons  fire  upon  them  in  return,  with  hot  shot,  admirably 
well  directed. 

Several  times  during  the  cannonadingi  the  town  of  Newark 
was  in  flames,  but  wto  extinguished  by  their  engines,  as  also  the 
centre  building  in  Fort  Oeoi^.  Their  mess  house  and  all  the 
buildings  near  it  were  consumed.  Captain  M'Keon  commanded  a 
12  pounder  in  the  south-east  block  house,  and  distinguished  him- 


r    r 


i. 


m. 


»'■..;,  -  ■ 


'y  ■] 


si  ■:■■ 


'''iy: 


H 


■\% 


'W  I 


'-'A' 

;■  ■ 
f 

t     ' 

■  / 

."  'S 

self  by  hit  usual  gallaqtry  ud  skill.  Captain  Xackn^of  the  Tth 
regiment  militia  artillery,  commanded  a  six  pounder  on  tlue  north 
block  house,  and  together  with  a  part  of  bin  own  company*  though 
placed  in  a  situation  most  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy*  main- 
tained  their  position  like  Teterans.  Lieutenant  Reesor  the  3d 
regim«it  of  artillery,  had  the  command  of  an  eighteen  pounder  on 
the  south-east  battenr,  which  was  pointed  at  a  battery  m  burbeUe, 
mounting  a  ttnrenty-four  pounder,  and  also  at  Fort  George ;  seve- 
ral well  directed  shot  were  directed  from^  this  gun,  which  proved 
tbtiMdll  of  its  commander. 

^^ilMttt'lO  o'clock,  lieutenant  Rees  had  bis  left  shoulder  bruised 
by  a  i>art  of  the  parapet  falling;  on  him;  which,  tiiough  it  did  not 
materially  injure  him,  obliged  nim  to  retire,  and  captain  Leonard, 
of  the  1st  foment  UnitecTStates'  artillery,  at  that  moment  arriv- 
ing, he  took  command  of  the  batterv  for  the  remainder  of  *he 
day.  Lieutenant  Wendel,  of  the  3a  regiment  of  artillery,  had 
Ibe  command  of  an  ei^teen  and  four  pounder  on  the  west  bat- 
tery, and  doctor  Hooper,  of  captain  Jack's  company  of  militia 
artillery,  had  the  command  of  a  six  pounder  on  tne  mess  house* 
Ctf  these  gentlemen  lynd  their,  commands,  I  cannot  speak  .with 
too  much  praise ;  they  distinguished  themselves  hiriily;  and  from 
their  shot,  all  of  which  was  hot,  the  town  of  Newaric  .was  repeat- 
edly fired,  and  one  of  the  enemy's  batteries  silenced  for  a  time. 

An  instance  of  extraordinary  bravery  in  o  female  (the  wife  of 
one  Doyle,  a  private  of  the  United  States' artillery,  made  a  pri- 
soner at  Queenstown)  [  cannot  pass  over.  During  the  most  tre- 
mendous cannonading  I  have  ever  seen,  she  attended  the  six 
pounder  on  the  old  mess  house  with  red  hot  shot,  and  showed 
fortitude  e^al,  to  the  naid  of  OrktmB, 

Lieutenants  Gansevoortand  Harris*  of  the  1st  regiment  United 
States'  artillery,  had  command  of  the  salt  battery  at  Youngst«> 
mounting  one  eighteui  and  a  four  poundi^r.  These  two,^ 
played  upon  the  DafHry  of  Fort  Geoi|;e  and  the  buildings  Uciu- 
lit  from  every  observation  I  could  make  during  tiieir  fire,  I  am 
happy  to  say  th^y  merited  my  warmest  thanks  for, tiieir  skill  in 
the  service  of  these  guns.     .         '^         ' 

Ideutenani  Harris,  from  his  four  pounder,,  sunk  a  schooner 
winch  lay  4t  their  wharfs  she  ^,vi  ode  of  those  taken  by  the 
enemy  at  tte  uoutii  of  Geneie^'Hver  a  short  time  since.  He 
also  assist^  in  burning  and  destiNiying  the  buildings  near  the 
wharf.  T^MMe  two  (officers  and  their  men  in  the  warmest  part  of 
the  caniK^a(iiaj|,  having  fir^  away  all  their  cartridges*  cut  np 
their  flanncA  waistcoats  and  shiVts,  and  the  soldiers  tneir  trow- 
sers,  to  supply  their  guns.   , 

I  cannotiay  tjoo'muchof  all  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the 
artillervimmediately  under  My  observation  in  this  nrrison ;  the/ 
m^ritihe  tiuinks  and  esteem  of  their  country  for  the  defence  of 
it*  and  I  believe  it  never  sustained  so  sharp  and  continued  a  bom- 
bardment.   The  enemy  threw  mere  than  two  tiiousand  red  hoi 


balls  into  it,  and  a  number  oi  shells,  amountinz  :o  more  ttian  180, 
only  one  of  which  did  injury  to  our  men.  Lieutenant  colonel ' 
Oray  commanded  the  artillery ;  the  unremitted  attention  paid  to 
his  duty,  proves  him  an  officer  whose  zeal  and  science  do  honour 
to  himself  and  country;  to  this  gentleman  I  feel  much  indebted 
for  the  manner  he  acquitted  himself;  To  the  officers  of  my  re- 
ptnent  (particularly  captain  Milligan)  and  the  soldiers  who  as- 
sisted the  artillery,  and  those  employed  in  extinguishii^  the  fires 
and  carrying  off  ^e  killed  ana  wounded,  I  am  •also  muoh  in- 
debted; they  merit  my  warmest  thanks.  To  doctor  West  of 
the  garrison,  doctor  Hugi^of  the  14th  regiment  Uhited  States' 
infantry;  and  doctor  Craie  of  the  22d  regiment  United  States' 
^1||fantry,  I  offe^  my  thanks  j  ther  were  cimployed.  during  the 
e^re  day  in  the  most  critical  dunes  of  their  profeteion. 

.Our  kitled*and  wounded  amounted  to  eleven.  Froto'the  llum- 
benr  we  saw  carried  off  from  the  enemy's  battnies,  I  presume 
many  more  were  lulled  and  wounded  on  their  side. 

Only  two  of  the  above  men  were  killed  by  the  enemy's  shot^ 
the  rest  by  the  bursting  of  it  12  potinder  in  me  south-east  block 
house,  and  by  the  sponges  of  the  guns  on  the  north  block  house, 
and  at  the  salt  battery. 

GEORGE  M'FEELET, 

Li,  CoL  commanding  Fort  Magarat 
Gcncnl  Alex.  Smyth. 


EXPEDITION  ON  THE  WABASH. 


■t'    • 


''i 


i: 


H' 


r^i 


II 11 


m\ 


^.  i 


ON  WABASH,  NEAR  THE  MOUTH  OV  PINE^REBPL    i 

NoTember  37th,  1813. 

SIR, 

By  colonel  Richard  Taylor,  quarter  master  eeneral,  who 
goes  on  as  quick  as  possible  to  Frankfort,  I  have  it  iti  my  power 
to  1^^  you  general  information  of  the  movements  of  the  army, 
since  my  last«  On  the  11th,  the  army  marched  from  fort  Harn- 
son,  on  the  road  formerly  made  by  governor  Harrison's  army,  and 
the  boats  set  out  at  the  same  time.  The  length  of  time  the  ene- 
my had  expected  us,  made  it  necessary  to  guard  ourselvep  in  an 
espetiat  manner.  The  rise  of  the  waters,,  from  the  heavy  fall  of 
rain  precedili|  our  march,  and  some  large  creeks,  left  us  no 
doubt  of  considerable  difficulty  and  embarrassment;  insomuch, 
that  not  until  the  14th  did  we  pass  Sugar  creek,  3  milei  above 
the  road. 

From  every  information,  I  had. no  hesitation  in  moving  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Wabash ;  the  Vermillions,  Pine  creeks  and  other 
impediments  on  the  west  side,  superadded  to  the  presumption 
that  we  were  expected,  and  might  more  easily  be  annoyed  and 
ambu^adcd  on  {hat  route,  determined  me  in  this  measiire ;  the 


I  a ! 


;tl 


mm 

iti 


I'  ■■ 

J  1' 


,  ! 


I'    I 


.«^^ 


% 


■U-' 


'■\- 


m 


96 

Boats  too,  with  our  provisions  of  rations,  forage,  and  militaiy 
stores,  could  be  more  easily  covered  and  protected,  as  the  line  of 
march  could  br;  invariably  nearer  the  river.  Lieutenant  colonel 
Barbour,  with  one  battalion  of  his  regiment,  had  command  of 
the  7  boats,  and  encamj^ed  with  us,  on  the  bank  of  the  river* 
idmost  every  night  This  so  protracted  our  march,  that  we  did 
not  reach  the  Prophet's  town  until  the  19th :  on  the  morning  of 
this  day,  I  detached  300  men  to  surprize  the  Winebago  town, 
lying  on  Ponce  Passu  creek,  one  mite  from  the  Wabash,  and  4 
below  the  Prophet's.  This  party,  commanded  by  general  Butler, 
surrounded  the  place  about  break  of  day,  and  found  it  evacua- 
ted. There  were  in  the  main  town  about  40  houses,  manv  of 
them  from  SO  to  50  feet  in  length ;  besides  many  temporary  nut|» 
in  the  surrounding  Prairie,  in  which  they  had  cultivated  a  gre-af 
deal  of  com. 

On  the  SOth,  21st  and  22d,  we  were  employed  in  the  complete 
destruction  of  the  Prophet's  town,  which  contained  abcut  40 
cabins  and  huts,  and  the  lar^  l^ckapoo  villase  adjoining  below 
it,  on  the  west  side  of  the  nver,  consisting  of  about  -160  cabins 
and  huts ;  finding,  and  destroying  th^ir  com,  reconnoitering  the 
circumjacent  paiiof  the  country,  and  constructing  works  for  the 
defence  of  our  boats  and  the  army.  Seven  miles  ei^t  of  us,  on 
the  Ponce  Passu  creek,  a  party  of  Indians  were  discovered—* 
they  had  fiired  on  a  small  party  of  ours  on  the  Slst,  and  killed  a 
man  by  the  name  of  Dunn,  a  gaJlant  soldier  in  captain  Duvall's 
company.  On  the  22d,  upwards  of  sixty  horsemen,  under  the  com- 
mand 01  lieutenant  colonels  Miller  and  Wilcox,  anxious  to  bury 
their  comrade,  as  well  as  gain  a  more  complete  knowledge  of  the 
grouild,  went  on  to  a, point  near  the  Indian  encampment,  fell  into 
an  ambuscade,  and  18  of  our  party  were  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing.  Among  these,  are  three  hoi.;iful  young  officere,  and  one 
private  from  the  8th  (Wilcox's)  re^ment,  viz : — ^Man,  Edwards, 
Murray, and  the  private  Webb,  presumed  to  be  killed;  the  other 
14  were  of  the  rangera.  On  tiie  return  of  this  party,  and  the 
information  of  a  large  assemblage  of  the  enemy,  who,  encouraged 
by  the  strength  of  their  camp,  appeared  to  be  waiting  for  us,  every 
preparation  was  made  to  march  early,  and  engage  the  enemy  at 
every  risk ;  when,  from  the  most  violent  storm,  and  fall  of  snow, 
attended  with  tiie  coldest  wcuther  I  ever  saw  or  felt,^  at  this  sea- 
son  of  the  year,  and  whicji  did  not  subside  until  the  evening 
of  the  23d,  we  were  delaved  until  the  24th.  Upon  arriving 
on  the  ground,  we  found  the  enemy  had  deserted  tiieir  camp 
before  the  fidl  of  snow,  and  passed  the  Ponce  Passu.  I  have  no 
doubt  but  tiieir  eround  was  the  strongest  I  ever  have  seen ;  the 
deep,  rapid  creek  spoken  of,  was  in  their  rear,  running  in  a  semi'' 
circle,  and  fronted  by  a  bluff  100  feet  hi^,  almost  perpendicular, 
and  only  to  be  penetrated  by  three  steep  ravines.  If  the  enemy 
would  not  defend  themselves  here,  it  was  evident  they  did  not 
tntend  fighting  M  all.    After  reconnoitering  sufiicientlyi  we  re- 


turned  to  ttmp,  and  (bund  the  ice  so  accumuUted»as  to  alarm  ua 
for  the  return  of  the  boats.  I  had  fully  intended  to  have  spent 
one  more  week  in  endeavouring  to  find  the  Indian  camps; 
but  the  shoeless,  shirtless  state  of  the  troops,  now  clad  in  the 
remnants  of  their  summer  dress ;  a  river  full  of  ice ;  the  hills 
covered  with  snow ;  a  rigid  climate,  and  no  certain  point  to  which 
we  could  further  direct  our  operations  ;  under  the  influence  of  the 
advice  of  every  field  and  staff  oflicer,  orders  were  given,  and 
measures  pursued  for  our  return,  on  the  25th.  We  are  now  pro* 
grossing  to  fort  Harrison,  through  the  ice  and  snow,  where  we 
expect  to  arrive  on  the  last  day  of  this  month. 

From  Vincennes  I  shall  have  the  honour  of  addressing  your  ex- 
cellency again :  but,  before  I  close  this,  I  cannot  forbear  express- 
ing the  merits  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  this  command.  After 
leaving  at  fort  Harrison  all  unfit  for  duty,  we  had  in  privates  of 
every  corps,  about  1000— >in  the  total,  1250  or  thereabout  At  the 
Prophet's  town,  upwards  of  100  of  these  were  on  the  sick  report. 
Yet,  sir,  have  we  progressed  in  such  order  as  to  menace  our  enemy, 
from  any  annoyance.  Seven  lai^  keel  boats  have  been  covered 
and  protected,  to  a  point  hitherto  unknown  in  Indian  expeditions. 
Three  large  Indian  establishments  have  been  burnt  and  destrov- 
ed,  with  near  three  miles  of  fence,  (and  all  the  corn,  &c.  we  could 
find,)  besides  many  smaller  ones ;  the  enemy  have  been  sought 
in  their  strong  holds,  and  every  opportunity  afforded  them  to 
attack  or  alarm  us ;  a  march  on  the  east  side  of  the  Wabash, 
without  road,  or  recognizance  of  the  country,  fully  100  miles 
perfected ;  and  this  was  done  with  a  naked  army  of  infantry, 
aided  by  only  about  fifty  rangers  and  spies :  all  this  will  have 
been  done  in  twenty  days — no  sigh,  no  murmur,  no  complaint, 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  yours,  &c. 

SAMUEL  HOPKINS. 
Hit  exeelleney  Gov.  Shelby. 


CAMP,  NEAR  BUFFALQE,  December  itb,  1813. 

SIR, 

The  troops,  under  my  command,  haying  been  ordered  to  hut 
tiiemselves  for  the  winter,  it  becomes  my  craty  to  report  to  you 
the  proceedings  had  here,  since  I  took  comn^and  on  ttiis  frontier. 

On  or  about  the  26th  of  October,  1  ordered  that  SO  scows  should 
be  prepared  for  the  transportation  of  cavalry  and  artillery,  and 
put  the  carpenters  of  the  army  upon  that  duty.  By  the  26th 
November,  ten  s^ws  were  completed ;  and  by  bringing  boats 
from  lake  Ontario,  ihe  number  was  increased  to  seventy. 

I  had  issued  an  address  to  the  men  of  New  York ;  and  per- 
liapa  300  volunteers  had  arrived  at  Buffaloe.  1  presumed  that 
the  regular  troops,  aod  the  volunteers,  under  colonels  Smith  and 
Mdure,  would  furnish  2,300  men  for  duty ;  and,  of  general 

13 


[1: 


U 


98 


k- '. 


r- 


Tannehill's  bricade,  reporting  a  total  of  1,650,  aa  maiij  u  41S 
had  volunteered  to  cross  into  Canada.  I  deemed  myself  ready 
*<to  cross  with  3,000  men  at  onu,**  accordins  to  yoar  orders. 
Preparatory  thereto,  on  the  nieht  of  the  S7tn  of  November,  I 
sent  over  two  parties ;  one  under  lieutenant  colonel  Boerstier  ; 
the  other  under  captain  Kine,  with  whom  lieutenant  Angus,  <^ 
the  navy,  at  the  heaa  of  a  booy  of  seamen,  united. 

The  first  mentioned  party  was  to  capture  a  guard  and  destroy 
a  bridge,  about  five  miles  below  fort  Ene ;  the  second  party  wer^ 
to  take,  and  render  useless,  the  cannon  of  the  enemy's  baueries, 
and  pieces  of  lisht  artillery.  The  first  party  made  some  pri- 
soners, but  failea  to  destroy  the  bridge.  The  second  party,  uter 
rendering  unserviceable  tne  light  utillery, .  separated  by  some 
misapprehension.  Lieutenant  Angus,  the  seamen,  and  part  of 
the  troops  returned,  with  all  the  boats,  while  captain  Ring,  cap- 
tain Morgan,  captain  Sproul,  Lieutenant  Houston,  and  abqat 
ftixty  men,  remained.,  Captain  Ring,notwithstandin|;,  virith  those 
under  his  command,  advanced  to  the  enemy's  batteries,  attacked 
and  took  two  of  them  in  succession,  rendered  unserviceable  the 
cannon,  and  took  a  number  of  prisoners.  In  descending  the 
Niagara  some  distance,  two  boats  were  found,  on  board  of  which 
captain  King  sent  his  prisoners,  all  his  officers  and  half  his  men; 
his  hiffh  sense  of  honour  would  not  allow  him  to  quit  the  remain- 
der—he was  captured  with  them.  .        . 

Orders  had  been  given,  that  idl  the  troops  in  the  neighbourhood 
should  march  at  reveille  to  the  place  of  embarication.  A  part  of 
the  detachment  sent  in  the  night,  having  returned,  and  naving 
excited  apprehensions  for  the  residue,  about  250  men,  under  col- 
onel Winaer,  put  off  in  boats,  for  the  o|^site  shore ;  a  part  of  this 
force  had  landed,  when  a  superior  force,  with  si  piece  of  artillery 
appeared : — a  retreat  was  ordered,  and  colonel  Windei^s  detach- 
ment suffered  a  loss  of  six  killed,  and  22  wounded ;  of  whom, 
tiiree  were  officers.  The  general  embarkation  commenced  as 
the  troops  arrived ;  but  this  being  the  first  time  the  troops  had 
embarked,  the  whole  of  the  scows  were  occupied  by  about  one- 
third  |iart  of  the  artillery ;  while  about  800  regular  infitntry, 
eomething  upwards  of  200  twelve  month's  volunteers,  and  pM> 
haps  200  of  those  militia  who  had  volunteered  their  services  for 
a  few  days,  occupied  all  the  boats  that  were  ready.  Hie  troopa 
then  embarked,  moved  up  the  stream  to  Black  Rock,  without  sna-r 
taining  loss  frcmi  the  enemy's  fire.  It  was  now  tiie  aftem<eeD, 
and  they  were  ordered  to  disembark,  rnd  dine*  The  enemy 
showed  a  force,  estimated  at  five  o?  six  hundred  men,  drawn  up 
in 'a  field,  at  some  dutance  from  the  river;  and  had  one  piece  of 
artillery,  said  to  be  a  nine  pounder,  ready  to  fire  on  our  troops. 

There  remained,  unembarked,  a  part  of  thje  artillery;  a  few 
f^valry;  the  volunteers  under  colonel  M'Clure,  ampuntine,  on 
that  day,  to  340  men;  a  detachment  from  general  Tannemll^ 
Iffiigade,  (number  unknown,  and  little  relied  on;)  there  were  alio 


# 


H 

Mindrj  crowds  who  might  perhaps  have  followed  the  army,  if  it 
was  successful. 

Recollecting  your  instructions  *<  to  cross  with  S,000  men  at 
Once,'*  and  to  consult  some  of  my  principal  officers  in  <*  all  im- 
portant movements/'  I  called  for  the  field  officers  of  the  regular 
and  twelve  monUi's  volunteers  embarked;  colonel  Porter  not 
being  found  at  the  moment,  captain  Gibson  was  called,  as  the 
next  senior  officer  of  artillery.  These  questions  were  put:— 
**  Is  it  expedient  now  to  cross  over  P  Is  the  force  we  have,  suffi- 
eient  to  conquer  the  opposite  coast  ?*'  The  first  question  was 
decided  in  the  negative,  by  colonels  Parker,  Schuyler,  Winder, 
lieutenant  colonels  Boersuer  and  Coles,  and  major  Campbell. 
Colonel  Swift,  of  the  volunteers,  alone  gave  an  opinion  for  thm 
crossing  over.  The  second  question  was  not  decided :  colonel 
Parker,  colonel  Schuyler,  lieutenant  colonel  Coles,  and  miyor 
Campbell,  were  decidedly  of  opinion  that  the  force  was  insuffici- 
ent .  Colonels  Winder  and  Smith,  lieutenant  colonel  Boerstler. 
and  captain  Gibson,  deemed  the  force  sufficient  I  determined 
to  postpone  crossins  over,  until  more  complete  preparation  would 
•nable  me  to  emban  the  whole  force  at  once,  according  to  your 
instructions.  The  next  day  was  spent  in  such  preparations,  and 
the  troops  were  ordered  to  be  again  at  the  place  ot  embarkation, 
%t  8  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  30th  November.  On  their 
arrival  they  were  sent  into  the  adjacent  woods,  there  to  build 
Wn»t  and  remain  until  3  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  Ist  of 
December,  when  it  was  intended  to  put  off  two  houra  before  day- 
li|^t  so  as  to  avoid  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  cannon,  in  passing  the 

EBsition  which  it  was  believed  they  occupied  below ;  to  land  ubove 
kippewa,  assault  that  place,  and,  if  successful,  march  through 
Queenstewn,  to  fort  George.  The  contractor  was  called  on 
to  Aimish  rations  for  2500  men,  fiur  four  days;  when  it  was 
found,  he  could  furnish  the  pork,  but  not  the  flour ;  sixty  barrels 
were  required,  and  onlv  thirty  furnished.  The  embarkation 
commenced ;  but  was  delayed  by  circumstances,  so  as  not  to  be 
completed  until  after  day^l^t,  when  it  was  found,  tiie  regular 
infantry,  688  men,  the  arallery,  177  men,  colonel  Swift's  volun- 
teers, about  230,  six  companies  of  federal  volunteers,  amounting 
to  £76  men,  about  100  militia,  of  colonel  Doblnns's  re^ment  and 
a  few  ptn  in  a  boat  with  Mr.  P.  B.  Porter,  contractor's  agen^ 
who  was  to  pilot  the  enterprize,  had  embarked  ;  the  whole  on 
board,  without  ^e  commissioned  officers,  being  1500  men ;  and  it 
was  now  two  hoi^rs  later  than  the  time  fixed  on  for  setting  out 

There  were  sdme  groups  of  men  not  yet  embarked.  They 
were  applied  to, :r«i|uested,  and  ordered,  bj  the  brigade  nuuor,  to 
get  into  the  boats;  they  did  not  He  estimated  their  number  at 
150 1  it  was  probably  greater. 

Itthen  became  a  question,  whether  it  was  expedient  to  invade 
Canada,  in  open  day-light  with  1500. men,  at  a  point  where  no 
reinforcemtnt  coula  be  expected  for  some  days.  I  saw  the  nnm- 


li 
ill 


■ish 


V 


^  > 


,.-.H 


»i 


pi/ 


m\>'' 


I'-  '>■•!'. 


Li«  ' 


ber  of  regular  troops  #ai  deolining  npidlj.  I  knew  that  ob 
them  I  was  chiefly  to  depend. 

1  called  together  officers  commanding  corps  of  the  recnlar 
army.  Colonel  Parker  being  sick,  those  present  were  colonel 
Porter,  of  the  artillery,  colonel  Schuyler,  colonel  Winder,  and 
lieutenant  colonel  Coles.  I  put  to  them  this  question  t— **  Shall  wo 
now  proceed  ?*'  They  unanimouriu  decided  Uiat  wd  ought  not. 
I  foresaw  that  the  volunteers,  who  nad  come  out  for  a  few  days* 
would  disperse.  Several  of  them  had  on  the  evening  of  the  2oth 
broken  their  muskets,  because  they  had  not  seen  a  battle;  I 
foresaw  that  the  number  of  regular  troops  would  decrease  |  th« 
measles  had  affected  them  generally ;  the  constant  use  of  fresh 
meat  had  produced  dysenteries,  and  they  were  now  in  tents,  in 
the  month  of  December.  I  informed  the  officers,  that  the 
attempt  to  invade  Canada  would  not  be  made,  until  the  army  wai 
reinforced,  and  directed  tiiem  to  withdraw  their  troops,  and  cover 
them  with  huts  immediately.  The  Volunteers  and  neighboring 
people  were  dissatisfied,  and  it  has  been  in  the  power  of  th« 
contractor's  agent  to  excite  some  clamor  against  the  course  pur- 
sued ;  he  finds  the  contract  a  losing  one,  at  this  time,  and  would 
Wish  to  see  the  army  in  Cilnada,  that  he  might  not  be  bound  td 
supply  it. 

I  am  sorry  that  the  situation  of  the  force  under  m  command, 
had  hot  been  such,  as  to  make  the  propriety  of*^  a  forward 
movement  obvious  to  all.  Circumstanced  as  we  were,  I  bavd 
thought  it  my  duty  to  follow  the  cautious  counsels  of  expe- 
rience, and  not  by  precipitation,  to  add  another  to  the  list  of  our 
defeats. 

Yott  will  perceive  my  motives  by  my  letter  of  the  30th  Octo- 
ber, Wherein  I  said  **  I  would  cross  in  three  days,  if  I  had  this 
means ;  without  them»  it  would  be  injustice  to  the  nation  and 
myself,  to  attempt  itz-^Inuit  not  be  mfeatei,** 

Allow  me  to  recommend  to  your  attention,  and  that  of  th* 
deiprstiry  of  War,  captain  W.  King  of  the  15th  regiment  infin- 
try,  as  an  officer  of  the  first  class.  His  dauntiess  braverv,  refined 
mindt  hi^  sense  of  honour,  and  ambition  to  distin^ish  himself^ 
render  him  a  fit  subject  for  promotion ;  and  he  is  perhans  ^ 
best  disciplinarian  in  thfe  army.  I  have  a  wife  and  children ;  I  Iiav« 
not  seen  them  for  fourteeh  ibonths ;  I  isk  permission  ttoW  t« 
vintlkem. 

1  have  the  honour  t6  be  yolirS,  Ice. 

ALEXANBfili  SMYtlt, 

BrigwtUr  OmtrmL- 

Itiijar  6enenl  Desibom. 


I   r 


lei 


$kntfal  9mji^  to  a  c&mmitta  of  ike  patriotie  cIHmm  of  Urn 
western  counties  of^ew  Fork, 

CAMP  NEAR  BUFFALOE,  DcoemberSd,  1813. 

Obntlsmbn, 

Your  letter  of  December  fid  it  before  me ;  and  I  answer  it 
in  the  following  manner : 

On  the  fi6th  October,  I  ordered  that  20  scows  should  be  pre- 
pared for  ^e  transportation  of  artillery  and  cavalry,  and  put  the 
carpenters  of  the  army  upon  that  duty. 

By  the  26th  of  November,  10  scows  were  completed,  and  by 
bringing  some  boats  from  lake  Ontario,  above  the  falls  of  Niagara, 
the  numoer  was  increased  to  seventy. 

I  had  on  the  26th  of  November,  issued  an  address  to  the  men 
of  New  York,  and  "srhaps  SOO  had  arrived  at  Buffaloe.  I  pre- 
sumed that  the  regular  troops,  and  the  volunteers  under  colonels 
Swift  and  ftfClure,  would  furnish  2,300  men  for  dut;^ ;  and  of 
general  Tannehill*s  brieade  (from  Pennsylvania)  reporting  a  totat 
of  1,650,  as  many  as  413  had  volunteered  to  cross  into  Canada. 
My  orders  were  to  '*  cross  with  3,000  men  at  once.*'  I  deemed 
myself  ready  to  fulfil  them. 

Preparatory  thereto,  on  the  night  of  the  firth  November,  I  sent 
over  two  parties,  one  under  lieutenant  colonel  Boerstler,  the  other 
under  captain  King,  with  whom  lieutenant  Angus,  of  the  navy,  at 
tiie  head  of  a  body  of  seamen,  united.  The  first  was  to  capture 
a  guard,  and  destroy  a  bridge  about  five  miles  below  fort  Erie ;  the 
second  were  to  take  and  render  useless  the  cannon  of  the  ene- 
my's batteries,  and  some  pieces  of  light  artillen^.  The  first 
party  failed  to  destroy  the  oridge ;  the  second,  aner  rendering 
nnsdrviceable  the  liriit  artillery,  separated  bv  some  misapprehen- 
sion. Lieutenant  Angus,  the  seamen,  ancl  part  of  the  troops, 
returned  with  all  the  boats ;  while  captain  King,  captain  Morgan, 
au|>tain  Sproul,  lieutenant  Houston,  and  about  sixty  men  remain- 
ed. The  party  thus  reduced,  attacked,  took,  and  rendered  unseN 
ticeable  two  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  c  iplured  thirty -four  prison  I 
en,  found  two  boats,  in  which  captain  King  sent  the  pnsonere 
and  about  half  his  partv  with  the  other  officers;  he  himself 
femainingwitii  30  men  wnom  he  would  not  abandon. 

Orders  had  been  g^ven,  that  all  the  troops  in  the  neighbourhood 
should  march,  at  reveille,  to  the  place  of  embarkation.  A  pad! 
of  the  detachment  sent  in  the  night  having  returned  and  excited 
apprehensions  for  the  residue,  about  250  men,  under  the  command  of 
colonel  Winder,  suddenly  put  off  in  boats  for  the  opposite  shore  $ 
a  jpart  of  this  force  had  landed,  when  a  force  deemed  superior. 
With  one  piece  ofartilleiy,  was  discovered ;  a  retreat  was  ordered ; 
and  cdonel  Winder's  detachment  suffered  a  loss  of  ux  killed  and 
nineteen  wounded,  besides  some  officers. 

The  general  embarkation  commenced  as  the  troops  arrived;  but 
this  being  a  first  embarkation,  the  whole  of  the  scows  were  occu- 


'<-i 


m 


108 

irfed  by  about  one  third  of  the  artillery,  while  about  800  regular 
infantry,  about  200  twelve  month's  volunteers,  under  colonel  Swift, ' 
and  about  200  of  the  militia  who  had  volunteered  their  servicet 
for  a  few  days,  occupied  all  the  boats  that  were  ready,  the  troopa 
then  embaked,  moved  up  the  stream  to  Black  Rock  without  losa ; 
they  were  ordered  to  disembark  and  dine. 

ihad  received  from  my  commanding  general  an  instnictioft 
in  the  following  words—"  In  all  important  movements  you  will,  I 
presume,  consider  it  advisable  to  consult  some  of  your  principal 
officers/*  I  deemed  this  equivalent  to  an  order  i  and  the  move* 
ment  important  I  called  for  the  field  officers  of  the  regulars, 
and  twelve  month's  volunteers  embarked.  Colonel  Porter  was 
Aot  found  at  the  moment.  Those  questions  were  put— /s  U  txp€' 
dient  ^OW  to  eroas  over  ?  h  the  force  we  have  tv^jjkienlb  to  con- 
fer the  opposite  coast  ? 

The  first  question  was  decided  in  the  ne^tive  by  colonel 
Parker,  colonel  Schuyler,  colonel  Winder,  lieutenant  colonel 
Boerstler,  lieutenant  colonel  Coles,  and  mi^r  Campbell.  Colonel 
Swift,  of  volunteers,  alone  gave  an  opinion  for  then  crossing  over. 

The  second  question  was  not  decided.  Colonel  Parker,  colonel 
Schuyler,  lieutenant  colonel  Coles,  and  major  Campbell,  were 
decidfedly  of  opinion  that  the  force  was  insufficient.  Colonel 
Winder,  colonel  Swift,  lieutenant  colonel  Boerstler,  and  captain 
Gibson,  deemed  tlie  force  sufficient 

I  determined  to  pospone  crossinc  over  until  more  complete 

S reparation  would  enable  me  to  embark  the  whole  force  at  otice» 
le  course  prescribed  by  my  orders.    The  next  day  was  spent  in 
tuch  preparation,  and  the  troops  were  ordered  to  be  ftgun  at  the 

Jlace  of  embarkation  at  8  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  30th 
November.  On  their  arrival  they  were  sent  into  the  ai^acent 
woods,  there  to  build  fires,  and  renuun  until  3  o'clock  in  the. 
morning  of  the  1st  of  December ;  when  it  was  intended  to  put 


% 


if  successful,  march  through  Queenstown  ior  Fort  Georse.  For 
thb  expedition  the  contractor  was  called  on  to  furnish  rations  for 
2,500  men  for  four  days,  when  it  was  found  he  could  furnish  tiie 
pork  but  not  the  flour ;  the  deputy  quarter  master  called  for  60 
narrek  and  got  but  30. 

The  embarkation  commenced,  but  was  deli^ed  bv  circum- 
stances  so  as  not  to  be  completed  until  after  day-liriit,  when  it  w4t 
found  the  regular  infantry,  688  men,  the  artillery,  \77  men,. 
Swift's  volunteers  estimated  at  23,  six  coAi|Nmie8  of  federal 
▼olunteers  under  captains  Collins,  Phillips,  Allison,  Moore,  Ma- 
ther  and  Marshall,  amounting  to  276  men,  commanded  by  lieu- 
tenant colonel  M'Clure,  100  men  of  colonel  DoUnn's  militia,  und 
a  few  men  in  a  boat  with  general  P.  B.  Porter,  had  embarked,  the 
whole  on  board  amounting,  exclusive  of  officers,  to  1,466  men. 


101 

or  thereibottti.  and  it  wu  now  two  hoart  later  than  had  bem 
contemplated. 

There  were  some  sroupii  of  men  not  yet  embarkedi;  thej  were 
applied  to,  requested,  and  ordered  hy  the  brigade  mi^or  to  met 
into  the  lioats ;  they  did  not.    The  number  of  these  the  brigade 

nior  estimated  at  about  150.  It  was  probably  greater. 
ft  then  became  a  ciuestion,  whether  it  was  expedient  to  invade 
Canada  in  open  day-light,  with  1,500  men,  at  a  point  where  no 
reinforcements  could  be  expected  for  some  days.  I  saw  that  the 
number  of  regular  troops  was  declining  rapidly.  I  knew  that  on 
them  chiefly  I  was  to  depend. 

I  called  together  the  officers  commanding  corps  of  the  regular 
army.  Colonel  Parker  being  sick,  those  present  were,  colonel 
Porter  of  tlie  artillery,  colonel  Schuyler,  colonel  Winder,  and 
lieutenant  colonel  Coles. 

I  put  to  them  this  question:  shall  we  proceed P  They  unani-  ■ 
mously  decided  that  we  ought  not. 

I  foresaw  that  the  volunteers,  who  had  come  out  for  a  few  days, 
would  disperse— several  of  them  had  on  the  evening  of  the  28th, 
broke  their  muskets.  I  foresaw  that  the  number  of  the  regular 
troops  would  decrease ;  measles,  and  other  diseases,  being  among 
them ;  and  they  were  now  in  tents,  in  the  month  of  December. 
I  informed  the  officers  that  the  attempt  to  invade  Canada  would 
not  be  made,  until  the  army  was  reinforced ;  directed  them  to 
withdraw  their  troops,  and  cover  them  with  huts  immediately. 

You  say  that  on  Saturday  every  obstruction  was  removed,  and 
thata  landing  mig^t  have  been  effected  "  without  the  loss  of  a  single 
man.'*  This  proves  you  unacquainted  with  the  occurrences  of 
the  day.  Colonel  Wmder,  in  retiring  from  the  enemy's  shore  in 
the  morning,  lost  a  tenth  part  of  his  force,  in  killed  and  wounded. 
The  enemy  showed  no  more  than  5  or  600  men,  as  estimated  by 
colonel  Parker,  and  one  piece  of  artillery,  supposed  a  9  pounder. 
That  force,  we,  no  doubt,  might  Intve  overcome,  but  not  witiiout 
loss ;  and  that,  from  the  g^reat  advantage  the  enemy  would  have 
had,  m^t  have  been  considerable. 

To  recapitalatev— My  orders  were  to  pass  into  Canada  with 
9000  men  at  onee.  On  the  first  day  of  embarkation  not  more 
than  1,400  men  were  embarked,  of  whom  400,  that  is,  half  of  the 
r^jular  infantry,  were  exhausted  with  fatigue,  and  want  of  rest.  On 
the  second  embarkation,  only  1,500  men  were  embarked,  and  these 
were  to  have  put  off  immediately,  and  to  have  descended  the  river 
to  a  point  where  reinforcements  were  not  to  be  expected.  On 
both  days  many  of  tiie  regular  troops  were  men  in  bad  health, 
who  could  not  have  stood  one  day's  march ;  who,  although  they 
were  on  the  sick  report,  were  turned  out  by  theu'  ardent  officers. 

TheaffairatQueenstowniaa  caution  against  relying  on  crowds, 
who  go  to  the  Iwnks  of  Niagnra,  to  look  at  a  battle  as  on  a  the- 
atrical exhibit)  m ;  whw,  if  they  are  disappointed  at  the^  sights. 


'■m 


Vu 


104  t 

break  their  muskets ;  or  if  they  are  without  rations  for  a  Aaj, 
desert.* 

I  have  made  ^rou  this  frank  disclosure,  without  admitting  your 
authority  to  require  it,  under  the  impression  that  you  are  patriotic 
and  candid  men ;  and  that  you  will  not  censure  me  for  follow- 
ing the  cautious  counsels  of  experience;  nor  join  in  the  sense- 
less clamor  excited  against  me  by  an  interested  man. 

I  have  some  reason  to  believe  that  the  cautious  counsel  given 
by  the  superior  officers  of  my  command,  was  good.  From  desert- 
ers, we  learn  that  2,314  rations  are  issued  daily  on  the  frontiers 
on  the  British  side.  Captain  King,  prisoner  at  Fort  George,  writes 
to  an  officer  ihnsi--**  tell  our  friends  to  take  better  care  of  them,' 
selves  than  it  appears  I  have  done  J* 

I  am,  genilemen,  with  great  respect,  yours,  &c. 

ALEXANDER  SMYTH. 

Brigadier  Oeneral, 

To  Messrs.  Geoi^  M'Clure,  Lewis  Birdsall,  John  GrifBn,  and  William  B. 
Rochester,  a  committee  from  the  patriotic  citizens  of  the  western  counties 
of  New  York. 

P.  S.  It  will  be  observed  that  the  force  realty  could  be  no  other- 
wise ascertiuned  than  by  an  actual  embarkation,  it  being  uncertain 
what  portion  of  the  volunteer  force  would  embark. 


;l, 


1 


i  M 


I  : ' 


CAMP,  ON  MISSISSINEWAY, 
Two  miks  above  Silver  Heels,  December  13t}i,  1812. 

PEAR  GENERAL. 

After  a  fati^ing  march  of  tliree  days  and  one  night  from 
Greenville,  I  amved  with  the  detachment  under  my  command 
pi  a  town  on  the  Mississinewa,  thought  by  the  spies  to  be  Silver 
HeePs  town ;  but  proved  to  be  a  town  settled  by  a  mixture  of 
Pelaware  and  Miami  Indians. 

About  8  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  irth,a  chai^  was  mad^ 
upon  the  town,  when  many  fled  over  the  river,  others  surrendered ; 
^ose  who  fled  made  resistance  after  crossing,  by  firing  across  the 
river.  Thirty-seven  prisoners  are  taken,  ^om  I  shall  brin^  in 
with  me,  including  men,  women  and  children ;  seven  warriors 
were  killed.  After  disposing  of  the  prisoners,  I  marched  a  detach- 
ment down  the  river,  and  burned  three  villages  without  resistance. 
I  then  returned  and  encamped  on  the  ground  where  stood  the  firsi 
village  attacked. 

This  morning  about  day-light,  or  a  little  before,  my  camp  was 
attacked  by  a  party  of  Indians  (the  number  unknown,  but  supposed 
to  be  between  2  and  300)  on  my  right  line,  occupied  by  major 

*  Six  hundred  of  general  Tanneliill's  brigade  deserted  in  twcnty-four 
hours.  A  court  martial  of  this  brigade  have  finsd  a  man  twtlve  and  an  ha(f 
cents  for  the  ciime  of  desertion ! 


KMT 

9lP?rfqiildrijB,  who  mJUkaiij  resisted  them  for  about  thr«»i|ttti^ 
ters  of  an  hour,  when  the  Indians  retreated^  after  being  most  ge)« 
lantlj  lihai^sd  by  captain  Trotter,  at  the  head  of  hia  troop  of  caval- 
ij.    Wolort  in  tii«  first  action,  (me  killed  and  one  wounded  (b|^ 
accijdeBt  the  last)  ;^.m  &e  action  of  this  morning,  we  have  eidit' 
kitted  and  about  thirtj-fiv^ilir  forty  wounded.    Not  having 'yet 
sptten  a  report*  I  am  unable  to  state  the  number  exactly.    The 
IlMUllishaire  lost, aboat  forty  killed,  from  the  disaivenes  now 
madsj  the  spies  are  otttatiprcsent  ascertaining  4he  number.    I 
hnrir  aant  tadGbeeenfille.for  a  reinfo«cmo»Dt,  and^  iei|d  yott«  ;tiiia 
his^  skat«i|'    A  detailed  Moort  sh«Al  be  hereafter,  made  knofwgi 
to^,  9oti«fiM;  MTticiilaKly  those  companies  and  individuala  wkb 
havedis&iguishedtheinselTes  signally.  ,       .«■ 

I  anticip«toi»aother  atteckMbrel  roach  OreenfiUe,  but  r«#: 
ai8«re4my  diar  gc»eral,,t^^  shall  be  warmly  receiy^.  .| 
ham  A^etachmealcomposed  of  the  bravest  fellows,  both  immf 
aid  soldiers,  in  the  world*  Our  return  wiU  be  coinmeiice4  this 
moRung.  AinliiR  oar  l^teid,  I  have,  to  d«|^ore  the  loss  .^H^i 
brave  captain  Pierce.  Lieutenant  Waltz,  of  captaipMai^^ 
tfoooof  cavalry,  is  aliM  mortally  wounded.  ?he&  ftJAant,«)()a» 
dtiCdkill be  niticedhereafiiir.  ^^  T| 

"f  oviri,  with  the  gr^Uest  re^cit  and  afteieipi,     ? 

JOi^  a  GANFBBIiL,  ¥ 


eSMNtilW.  tt. 


*iV 


JH*  ^fm  VH^* 


;;'«,»]  -ai  111 


'■-";t 


iS#ckEAi  P.  a  posrm  "rd  THR  plniyf;^ 


^ikmOtamm  if  laat  wwk,  I  praniMd  togiir»^ 
aone  nf  titt  most  pnin^ient  tramactiiMbft  of  the  9MM|  «f 
9$mm^0mmam*  Ilani%  iisee  that  time,  raceived  i 
i#^|^  fMwvAcea,  w4dc^^  hoMi:,  I  .m 


a<hagictw^^iii  diftigBt  fiMn  the  onotheii  tmmM^::^^ 

ciMFtoJ«.^ii«^  4pf^^4$ 

obwct  of  milMiK^^iMvemiiils  which  have  aspeaidi;  t^^aie^jM 
odlera«otoii^e^MMdiBaiy,bttt  laeMliMdiS  TT 

Jm  th(fri7ih  olllifmiiber  there  ir«fe  colleotid  al.«l»k  m^  4 
faiyM»«f  about  4^500  jrffeetive  bus;  consiitiM^iegr 
troapoi  New  York,  Peninyliania,  and  Baltimore  f«Maa|«, 
under  the  cioynind  tlps&rd  Siiiyth.   Th^  were  pi«  %\ ' 


14 


'h; 


y| 


I" 


I-  '  : 


It' 


,»! 


I  '^ 


(li 


.rv 


106 

Naitv  Yard  near  Black  Sock,  wluoliJi94«te«iiff«n«M|f  pnpMti 

for  the  purpose  of  tnuuqportiiig  ^  tro^  acroM  Ae  river--* 

TO  pubBc  bo>,t»Ml«ritted  to  cMty  4ft  men  each    «    .   •   .   •    •    S808 

ilongboiMslMsloiiguiytai  mdividuiil%>«twtaidiliad  • 

into  the  puhfic  ien^ce,ealaUated  ^,caR7 100  men  c«iph  •   •     M0 

10ioowsfiwattiUeiy,and25menea^  ,^^  • S59 

besides  a  number  of  small  boats. 

At  2  o'clock  on  that  day^  I  received  a  copy  of  cen^  8n jtkli 
order  fw  the  march  of  all  tiie  troops,  the  succeeflUM,  mpniiif  .^t 
revellie,  to  the  Navj  Yard,  t^embark  f<fr  Canada,  fimi^edinflf 
§ave  orders  for  the  New  Yorii  volunteers,  who  had  htUk  pbcM 
nnder  mjr  comnuuid,  td  parade  at  4o'clbck  in  the  morning  at  their 
•ncunpment  about  one  and  a  half  miles  from  the  Nasy,  Yard. 
In  the  evemng,  I  learnt  that  the  parties  mentioned  19  ]|enenil 
Smjth's  despatch,  were  to  cross  the  river  at  11  o'clock  afnisM» 
to  attack  the  enemy's  batteriet  opposite  Black'  Bock*,  Qennntl 
Smyth  not  being  hare,  I  waited  on  lieutMiant  AngttSi  and  fSHgfft 
ed  to  him  the  pnqpriety  (if  witiiin  the  scope  of  his  mrdws)  f^Tpost- 
poning  tiie  entm^ze  until  nearly  morning,  to  give  aa  litt|#  timte 
as  poimble,  before  the  paasi^  of  ue  army,  for  the  enemy's  troopa 
to  c^ect  from  their  statiMs  down  the  river.  They  landed  at  tiiree 
in  the  mwning,  under  a  severe  fire  ni  muttketry  and  pape  sbot 
from  two  pieces  of  flying  artillery.  Iiieutenant  Angpia,  with  Mr 
little  bana  of  aailora,  assisted  by  captain  Gnug  and  n  fop  "w  oi* 
party,  attacked  the  princ^tal  force  of  the  enemy,  ciennatiiut^f 
about  100,  at  tke  Bed  uouse  (the  seamen  charvpg  with  their  pwaa 
and  swords,  Mjpnst  muskets  and  bayon^)  and  routed  them  in  #11 
directions.  Gqitmn  Dox^  wbe  ^liHpK  ar  dittingnisbed  part  in  this 
affiur,  was  severely  wounded.  After  a  h«rd  and  dealmctim  m- 
figemettt,  the  ettM&y  was  completely  di8peraed,<the  two  teld 
^ea  spiked^  and  the  house  in  which  the  enemy  i|tt!Mrlei«d*  AM. 
llie  aeamen  E«tttmed  toour  ihore,  bringing  off  tneir  woondedttd 
aevendprisoners.  Ont  oi  IS  naval  oflMrs  who  embarked  in  #ii 
Wt^prwe,  nine-  of  them,  with  mart  tilin  half  their  men,  ifiie 
killetr or  wounded.  Ifbraw«ry  boa  virtue,  if  the  cratkiide  rfa 
eonntry  be  daoto  iiose  ti^gaUnntiyand  deaperately  aiaartid  its 
irigMsithe  goveifnment  wiB  Mke  aamie  and  honowablo  proviiien 
for  the  heirs  of  ^ose  brave  tars  who  fell  on  thuooeaaiM^  aa  well 
aafortbDsewlwinrvifod.  Ciiliia  King  proceeded  t^wiko  and 
diamonntHM  gun*  in  the  butteries.  LiOtttenant  colonnl  Boerttlir 
diapwMd  tbn  enemy  lower  down  the  river,  taking  «  nnmber  of 
prisonert. 

ByiuB-riio  in  thenwming,  nMBtof  the  troopa  bnduiivedit  the 
place  of  embarkation,  and  no  day  was  fine.  I  maittM  MO  nf 
ike  volunteoia  who  had  rallied  under  ginafal  AMth'e  invilalfon. 
Ml  tnned  utA  provided,  awl  in  Idgji  f^ritai  abwtt  100  nMin, 
who  eame  in  the  evening  before,  were  at  Bnmoe  drawiiw  thoir 
arms  and  ammuBition,  with  ordertt^joinniaaioon  as  posuMe.  I 


'k. 


^07 


itMitiied  tty  men  m  initrad f  ay  ceneral  Smjth,  in  s  fiteld  at  At 
NavT  Ywd,  with  directions  to  <v&it  for  further  orders.  The  parties 
who^had  crossed  in  the  night,  sided  by  ovr  batteries,  which  at  dar- 
light  opened  a  {Kiwerfel  and  well  directed  fire,  and  a  jnece  of  ti^t 
•rtillerr  on  the  island/under  chai^  of  captain  Gibson,  had  driven 
every  tniiw  from  tiie  opposite  shore.  Colonel  Winder,  an  officer 
of  great  intelligence,  zeal  and  bravery,  under  the  mistaken  appre- 
hanuMi  that  the  party  under  lieutenant  colonel  Boerstler  were  in 
daiurer  of  being  cut  off,  made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  (though  his 
•wnMit  lttMicMi)to  land  850men  ata  dUScult  point  down  tlw  river, 
Chd  had  returnfld  as  stated  by  general  Smyth.  The  gennnd  em- 
baricatien  now  commenced,  but  it  went  on  so  tardily,  that  at  12 
o*cloeki  the  whfde  of  the  ri|;nlar  troops,  and  colonel  Swin'sreg^men^ 
were  not  in  boats.  A  considerable  number  of  boats  were  lyine  on  ^ 
theres  dftiie  river  and  creek,  havingbeen  thrown  upby  themm  wat» 
of  the  preceding  day.  Several  were  in  the  creek  naif  filled  with 
water  and  ice.  I  called  on  general  Smyth  and  proposed  to  occupy 
part  of  these  boats  with  my  volunteers,  many  of  whom  were 
impatient  toembarii.  Being,  however,  at  thu  moment  infomrad 
by  colonel  Porter,  that  the  boats  which  had  been  used  by  colonel 
Winder  were  lying  about  a  mile  below,  majw  Chimin  and  mysdf, 
wMi  about  90  men,  went  down  the  shme,  brought  up  five  boatt, 
filled  them  widi  men,  and  arrived  at  Black  Rock,  tiie  pmnt  at 
iHuch  it  was  proposed  to  put  oC  as  soon  as  uiy  of  the  r^jular 
troops.  About  2  o'clock,  dl  the  trw^,  which  it  appeared  were 
intended  to  be  crossed  at  first,  coUeoed  in  a  group  of  boats  at 
Mack  Bock  under  the  cover  of  our  batteries.  I  have  seen  no  offi- 
eisi  account  of  tiie  number  of  men  in  the  boats.  My  opinion  wa» 
ttot  the  number  exceeded  8,000.  Most  men  of  emervation  w1m» 
were  p(«sent,  estimated  it  at  8,600;  the  men  were  m  fine  spirita» 
and  deurous  of  crossing* 

General  Tannehill'a  volunteers,  eolmi^  P.  M'Clure's  r^ipmai^ 
seme  riflemen,  cavalry,  Itc.  amountiiv  to  about  £,000,  were  atBl 
nuraded  on  Ae  shore,  and,  as  I  am  inrormed,  were  ready  to  cross. 
Several  boats  of  snffident  capacity  to  carry  ilwut  1000  men,  were 
^1  lyiitt  at  the  Navy  Yard  unoccupied.  I  have  not  be«»  able 
to  learn  mat  anv  order  or  request  was  made  for  the  embarluufioB 
of  tiie  troops,  odner  than  tlie  regulars,  of  colonel  Swift's  regjment. 
The  enemy,  estimated  at  nbont  500,  were  drawn  up  in  a  liM  about 
half  a  mile  from  the  river. 

After  muAi^  in  the  boats  till  late  in  ^  ttftemoon,  an  order 
was  received  to  (usembark.  '  It  produeed  among  Ae  officers  and 
men  generslly  gnat  discontent  and  murmuring  which  was,  how**' 
ever,  in  some  denee  allayed  by  assurances  mat  the  eneditioiL 
was  only  postpraw  Ibr  a  imort  une,  until  our  boats  could  be  bet- 
ter prqiared. 

On  Cmnday  another  order  wit  issued  by  general  Smytii,  for  tbt 
mirdi  of  the  troops  to  ^e  Mavy  Yard,  to  embark  at  9  o'dock  on 
MondaT  momii^.  I  waa  at  BuffiUoe  when  it  was  recmved,  and 
fbund  that  it  was  generally,  aa  to  time  and  manner,  disi^iovcd 


.^' 


P^l 


I:1T< 


J,  i 


..   ' 


108 

hj  the  offic«ri  of  the  yolunteers.  I  saw  general  Smttk  in  the  ciren- 
ins  at  Black  Rock,  with  colonel  Winder,  and  stated  mj  ol^ectiona 
toliiB  plan.  The  enemy  had  remounted  his  suns  on  the  batteries, 
so  as  to  render  it  inexpedient  to  cross  at  the  favorable  point  which 
had  been  taken  on  Saturday,  above  the  island  that  coven  the  Navy 
Yard.  Immediately  below  the  island,  the  enemy  lay  in  force, 
much  augmented  in  consequence  of  the  affair  of  Saturday,  occupy- 
ing a  line  of  shore  of  about  a  mile,  where  the  current  is  ramd,  and 
tiie  tanks  abrupt.  I  did  not  believe  itj^ssible  to  effect  a  landing 
witii  raw  troops,  in  any  tolerable  order,  if  at  all,  in  the  face  of  the 
flying  artillery  and  infantry,  which  a  full  view  of  our  movements 
in  the  day  time  would  enable  them  to  oppose  us.  I  vroposed  to 
postpone  the  expedition  till  night—to  march  and  embark  the  troops 
•iloitly— 'to  put  off  about  an  hour  and  a  half  before  day>light,  so  as 
to  pass  this  oangerous  line  of  shore  in  the  dark,  when  we  should 
suffer  less  from  tiieir  fire,  and  to  land  about  five  miles  below  the 
Navy  Yard,  where  the  stream  and  the  bonks  of  the  river  were  pe- 
culiarly favourable  to  a  safe  and  orderly  landing.  Colonel  Win- 
der seconded  with  great  earnestness  and  force,  and  it  was  adiqyted. 
Tlie  army  was  to  embark  at  3  o'clock  on  Tuesday  morning,  and 
to  proceed  at  half  past  4,  according  to  the  order  of  a  line  of  Mttie 
submitted  a  few  days  before  by  general  Smytii ;  the  regnlan  oa 
the  right,  or  in  the  front  boat;  general  TannehilPs  troops  in  the 
centre,  and  the  New  York  volunteers  on  the  left.  I  was  to  go'in 
the  front  boat  with  a  chosen  set  of  men,  direct  the  landing,  and 
join  the  New  York  volunteere  on  their  arrival. 

On  Monday  evening,  seven  boats  for  colonel  Swift's  regiment, 
and  eig^t  for  the  late  volunteera,  were  brou^jht  some  distance  up 
4ie  river,  and  left  at  dilferent  p<nnts,  to  avoid  the  noise  aiid  eon- 
Ikunoii  of  embariein^  the  whole  army  at  one  place*  At  half  put 
3  on  Tuesday  morning,  the  eight  boats  were  filled  with  volunteera 
(a  corps  of  which  has,  on  every  occasion  while  on  the  Unes,  shown 
mat  exactness  of  discipline,  promptitude  and  zeal  for  the  service,) 
had  embarked,  and  the  residue  were  embarking.  Not  a  man  of 
the  regular  infantry  was  in  the  boats  for  about  half  an  hour,  when 
Golond  Winder's  r^ment  entered  their  boats  with  great  order 
and  silence. 

About  three  quartera  of  an  hour  after  this,  the  remaining  regu- 
lara  commenced  the  embarkation,  when  I  dropped  down  to  the 


Chase,  and  quarter  master  Chapin,  two  pilots  and  about  85  volun- 
teere of  Baffalof,  under  lieutenant  Haynes. 

I  mention  the  names  of  these  gentiemen,  because  tiiey  had  be- 
fore decidedly  objected  to  passi^  at  the  proposed  point  by  day- 
li^t;  but  when  day  appeared,  and  one  of  thie  men  ndsed  some 
difficulty  On  that  account,  he  was  induced  to  remain»  and  at  was 
naaoimously  agreed  to  incur  th«  additional  haiard,  and  patieiitiv 


SIR, 


109 

m 

wait  <he  order  of  the  general  to  put  off.  At  day-ligM.  we  diacfr- 
Tered  the  troops  disembarking,  and  were  informed  that  the  inva- 
iion  of  Canada  had  been  abandoned  for  this  season,  and  that  the 
troops  were  ordered  to  winter  quarters.  A  scene  of  confusion 
ensued,  which  it  is  difficult  to  describe-Hibout  4000  men^  without 
order  or  restraint,  dischai^ng  their  muskets  in  every  direction. " 

About  1000  volunteers  came  in  under  general  Smyth's  procla<^ 
nation,  but  owins  to  the  state  of  the  roads,  which  was  bad  beyond 
example,  manj  did  not  arrive  until  after  the  1st  of  December. 

It  IB  impossible  for  me  to  form  any  estimate  of  the  number  of 
troops  embarked  at  any  time  this  morning ;  it  was  yet  scarcely 
lieht,  and  I  was  at  one  end  of  a  line  of  boats  occupying  a  distance 
of  half  a  mile.  When  the  volunteers  first  arrived  at  the  navy 
yard,  and  it  was  found  that  the  resular  troops  had  not  yet  ap- 
peared, their  officers  were  instructed  to  permit  them  to  land  and 
keep  themselves  warm  by  exercise,  as  the  boats  were  covered  with 
enow  which  had  fallen  during  the  night ;  but  they  were  instructed 
not  to  leave  the  side  of  the  boats,  that  they  might  immediately 
re-enter. 

PETER  B.  PORTER. 

Blftck  Bock,  December  H  1813> 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  FRANKLINTON, 

January  3d,  1813. 


I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  you,  herewith,  the  official  report 
of  lieutenant  colonel  Campbell,  of  his  expedition  against  the 
Mississineway  towns,  of  tiie  25th  ultimo,  and  1st  instant.  I  am 
entirely  satisfied  with  the  colonel's  conduct,  and  beg  leave  to  re- 
commend him,  major  Ball,  and  the  rest  of  the  officers  and  soldiers 
of  the  detachment,  who  were  fortunate  enou|^  to  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  distinguishing  tiiemselves,  to  the  notice  of  the  prwudent 
I  will  venture  to  predict  that  colonel  Campbell's  future  career 
will  support  tile  cnaracter  he  has  detained  in  tiie  commencement 
of  his  military  service.  Major  Ball,  my  Mend  and  associate  in 
general  Wayne's  army,  would  do  honour  to  any  service.  Lieu- 
tenant colonel  Simral  deserves  great  credit  for  the  excellent  dis- 
cipline of  his  r^ment,  which  perhaps  equals  that  of  any  otiier 
regiment  of  light  dragoons  on  the  continent.  The  character  of 
muor  M*Dowell  has  long  been  established  in  Kentucky  for  intre- 
pidity. At  an  age  when  most  men  retire  to  the  enjoyment  of  ease, 
this  nardy  veteran  solicits  every  post  of  difficulty,  fatigtfe  and 
danger,  with  the  ardour  of  a  youthful  warrior.  Tlie  conduct  of 
the  other  officers  is  so  particularly  described  by  colonel  Campbell, 
that  it  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  repeat  them.  Knowing  each 
individual,  I  heartly  accord  in  the  sentiments  he  has  expressed  of 
thiir  merits.  There  is,  however,  a  circumstance  which  colonel 
Cti^bell  has  neglected  to  mention,  that  is  so  henourable  le  a  youbg 


ill 


11^  ■ 


r* 


LVv 


1 1 


110 

kerB,  now  no  more,  m  well  as  to  the  amy,  that  I  cannot  paaa  R 
ever.  Migor  M'Dowell,  captain  Trotter,  and  captain  Hite,  have 
all  informed  me  that  lieutenant  Waltz,  of  captain  Markle*t  troo^ 
of  volunteer  draffoons,  like  the  g^lant  Spencer,  could  not  be 
brouiht  to  leave  his  post,  after  having  received  two  wounds,  one 
of  ^i^ich  shattered  his  arm.  In  this  situation  he  was  moviiq;  hie 
horse  to  make  a  charge  when  a  ball  passed  throng  his  head*  In 
abort,  sir,  the  whole  detachment  have  redeemed  a  solemn  pledse 
given  to  me  at  the  moment  of  their  departure,  that  they  would 
ebej'llieir  officers  and  support  the  character  of  American  stddiera. 

'^' '  I  have  the  honour  to  be  yours,  &c.      "'* 

WILLIAM  HENirr  HARRISON;. 

,  Honounble  James  Monroe, 

acting  SecretMy  of  War. 


n: 


■h. 


•  11 1, 


'  (iNCLOSVRE.) 
FORT  GREENVILLE,  December  35t]i,  1813. 


vi 


I  left  this  place  on  my  march  out,  on  the  14th,  with  600  rank 
and  file,  which  number  was  reduced  on  my  march  by  the  return' 
of  some  who  became  sick.  My  first  order  of  march  was  in  five 
columns,  colonel  Simral's  regiment  in  two  on  the  left,  the  icfiutry 
in  one  on  the  centre,  and  n^jor  Ball's  squadron  in  two  on  the 
right.  There  were  also  strong  front,  rear,  and  flank  guards,  wh» 
marched  at  a  distance  from  the  columns  of  from  two  to  four  hiin- 
dced  yards,  as  the  ground  wiould  permit. 

From  the  flank  guards  I  ordered  small .  parties  occasionaUy  t» 
examine  the  country  to  the^  right  and  left,  and  report  to  me  whe- 
ther they  had  made  any  discoveries.  My  encampments  wa«  in 
a  square  form,  covering  ground  sufficient  to  embrace  Ihe  horsea 
within  the  first  line  of  fires,  without  being  crowded.  I  had  a  se- 
cond line  of  fires  made  around  the  camp  at  the  distance  <^  sixty 
yards,  outside  of  which,  and  opposite  to  each  angle  of  the  canm, 
a  fedoubt  was  constructed,  in  which  tiie  guards  were  fdaced.  Ine 
want  of  axes  prevented  me  from  mduuc  the  outer  fires  and  con- 
structing the  redoubts  as  well  as  I  widied.  I  had  one-third  of 
tiie  mea  on  guard  every  nig^t,  and  formed  a  chain  of  sentinels 
around  the  camp  so  dose  that  the  enemy  could  not  possiUy  pene- 
trate withont  being  discovered.  At  day -liriit  each  morning  I  sent, 
out  parties  to  patrole  it  at  a  considerable  distance  from  camp.  I 
found  it  necessary  in  a  day  or  two  to  vary  mv  order  of  march* 
and  directed  the  infiuitry  and  riflemen  to  march  in  two  c<dnmn8» 
(me  on  each  side  of  the  road.  The  pack  horses  and  bB|gaffe,  aa 
also  the  detachment  stal^  in  the  road  between  them.  Miyor  Bidl^ 
squadron  in  four  columns,  on  the  right,  and  colonel  l^mnd's  rega  ^ 
ment  in  four  on  the  left.    The  flank  columns  served  as  gums. 


Itl 


fnlhu  way  I  found  I  marched  with  more  ease.  I  then  diepenaed 
with  the  tape  of  the  drum  and  sound  of  the  trumpet,  which  in  my 
irat  order  of  march  was  necessarj*  I  further  ordered  that  if  an 
attack  was  made  on  the  march  and  in  front,  the  troops  would  im- 
mediately form  in  order  of  battle  by  filing  up  on  the  left  and 
dressing  by  liie  fhmt  of  columns ;  if  on  either  flank,  the  flank 
column  would  face  outwards  and  maJce  reustance  until  reinforced ; 
if  in  the  rear,  the  rear  guard  would  face  to  the  rif^t-i^ut  and 
make  resistance,  whilst  the  other  columns  would  file  up,  and 
wheeling  to  the  right-sbout,  form  in  succession  on  the  left  m  line, 
the  officers  leading  columns  taking  especial  care  to  march  at  suf- 
flcient  distances  from  each  other,  to  form  in  line  in  open  order, 
dresdng  by  the  centre.  If  the  attack  was  made  in  camp,  the 
tromie  would  immediately  form  in  the  rear  of  their  fires,  which 
would  be  extinguished  as  *80on  as  possible,  by  throwing  it  out  m 
front.  I  ordered  the  Kuards,  if  attacked,  to  stand  their  ground  aa 
long  as  possible,  and  then  retreat  throu^  the  angle  of  the  camp 
nearest  them,  then  form,  defend  the  angle  if  attacked,  if  not,  to  wait 
for  orders.  These  formed  my  dispmable  force.  The  weather, 
though  cold,  and  the  snow  deep,  was  however  well  calculated  to 
favor  our  enteri»ize,  and  I  determined  to  make  forced  marches  to 
avoid  if  possible  a  discovery.  On  the  msrch  I  occasionally  forc- 
ed in  <Hrder  of  battle  to  accustom  the  troops  to  it.  They  formed 
wiA  the  utmost  celerity  and  in  seod  order.  The  first  two  days 
I  marched  forty  miles  the  third  day  I  pu^ed  die  troops  as  much 
as  they  could  Mar,  inarched  the  whole  nig^t,  although  excessively 
cold,  stoppng  twice  to  refresh  and  warm.  This  day  and  night  we 
marohed  nr^  miles.  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  17tht  I  reached, 
undiscoverea,  an  Indian  town  on  the  Misussineway ,  inhabited  by  a 
luxturecf  Delawares  and  Miamies.  The  troops  rushed  into  the 
townr-killod  ei|^t  warriors  and  took  forty-two  prisoners,  eig^t 
of  whom  are  warrimrs,  the  residue  women,  and  children.  I  ordered 
the -town  to  be  immediately  burnt,  a  house  or  two  excepted,  in 
which  I  confined  the  prisoners ;  and  I  ordered  the  cattle  and  other 
stock  tobe  diot.  I  Inen  left  the  infontry  to  guard  the  prisoners, 
and  with  8imral*8  and  Bali's  dragebni^  advanced  to  some  Miami 
villages,  a  few  aulea  lower  down  the  Mississineway,  but  found 
them  evacuated  by  all  but  a  sick  squaw,  whom  we  left  in  her 
house.  I  burnt  en.  this  excursion  tlnree  considnrsble  villages,  took 
several  hmrses,  and  killed  a  neat  manv  cattle,  and  returned  to  the 
town  I  first  bwmt,  whore  I  nad  left  the  prisoners  and  encamped^ 
My  camp  wan  in  the  usual  fimn,  but  covered  more  ground  uian 
common.  The  infrusiry  and  riflemen  were  on  the  front  line,  ci^p- 
tain  Kliott's  conqmny  on  the  rig^t,  Buttler*!  in  the  centre,  and 
Alexander's  on  the  le&  Major  Bul*s  squadron  occupied  the  ru^t 
au^  one  half  of  the  rear  line,  coltmel  Simral*s  remanent  the  left 
and  other  imlf  of  the  rear  line.  Between  Ball's  risht  and  Simral's 
left,  there  was  an  interval  which  had  not  been  filled  up,  owing  to 
the  wuiaiud  extent  of  ground  the  camp  embraced  it  having  been 


iiriJ 


f 


118 

%  ' 

laid  off  in  mj  absence  to  the  lower  towns.  I  new  begjpui  to  deli- 
berate on  our  future  movements,  whether  to  so  on  further  encum- 
bered with  prisoners,  the  men  much  fatigued,  and  a  great  mnnw 
severely  frost  bitten,  horses  suffering  from  the  want  of  forage,  which 
was  very  partially  relieved  by  the  scanty  supplies  of  com  obtained 
in  the  towns,  or  return.  1  determined  to  convene  the  field  officers 
and  captains  of  the  detachment  to  consult,  and  then  to  take  such  a 
course  as  my  own  judgment  might  approve.  At  four  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  8th,  I  ordered  to  be  beaten  the  revellie,  and  the  officers 
convened  at  my  fire  a  short  time  afterwards.  Whilst  we  were  in 
council,  and  atmut  half  an  hour  before  day,  my  camp  was  most  furi- 
ously attacked  by  a  large  party  of  Indians,  preceded  by,  and  ac- 
companied with,  a  most  hideous  yell.  This  immediately  broke  up 
the  council,  and  every  man  ran  to  his  post.  The  attack  commenced 
vpon  that  angle  of  the  camp  formed  by  the  left  of  captain  Hopkin's 
troop  and  the  right  of  captain  Oarrard,  but  in  a  few  seconds  be- 
came general  from  the  extremes  of  the  right  to  the  left  of  Ball's 
squadron.  Tlie  enemy  boldly  advanced  to  within  a  few  yards  of  the 
lines  and  seemed  determined  to  rush  in.  The  guards  posted  at  the 
different  redoubts  returned  into  camp  and  dispersed  among  their  sd- 
Teral  companies,  this  leaving  me  withouta  disposable  force.  Captain 
S|iiith,ofthe  Kentucky  light  dragroons,  who  commanded  at  one  of 
tile  redoubts,  in  a  hanasome  and  military  manner,  kept  his  position 
until  ordered  in  to  fill  up  the  interval  m  the  rear  line  between  the 
regiment  and  squadron.  The  redoubt  at  which  captain  Pierce 
commanded,  was  first  attacked.  The  captain  maintuned  his 
position  un^  it  was  too  late  to  get  within  the  lines.  He  received 
two  balls  throush  his  body  and  was  tomahawked.  He  died  brave- 
ly, and  much  lamented.  The  enemy  then  took  possession  of 
captain  Piercers  redoubt,  and  poured  in  a  tremendous  fire  upon 
the  angle,  to  the  right  and  left  of  which  were  posted,  Hopkins*  and 
Garrara's  troops.  But  the  fii'e  was  as  warmi  y  returned ;  not  an 
inch  of  ground  was  yielded.  Every  man,  omcer,  and  soldier, 
stood  firm,  «nd  animated  and  encouraged  each  other.  The  ene- 
my's fire  became  warm  on  the  leftofthesauadron  at  which  captain 
Marlde's  troop  was  posted,  and  the  right  of  Elliott's  company, 
which,  with  Markle's,  formed  an  angle  of  the  camp,  was  severely 
annoyed  by  the  enemy's  fire.  I  had  assisted  in  forming  the  infantry, 
composed  of  Elliott's  company  of  the  19th  United  States'  regiment, 
ButUer's  Pittsbur^i  blues,  and  Alexander's  Pennsylvania  riflemen, 
and  ordered  tliem  to  advance  to  the  brink  of  a  declivity  from  which 
they  conld  eft'ectually  defend  themselves  and  harrass  the  enemy, 
if  they  should  attemfit  an  attack  on  that  line.  This  however  they 
thougnt  jnwper  to  omit.  Whilst  I  was  thus  engaged.  Major  Bail 
rode  up  to  me  and  observed,  he  was  hard  poshra  and  must  be  re* 
lieved.  I  galloped  immediately  to  the  left  wing  with  an  intention 
of  ordering  captain  Trotter's  troop  to  reinforoe  the  squadron,  but 
was  there  informed  that  the  enemy  were  seen  approaching  in 
that  direction,  and  believing  it  improper  on  second  thoughts  to 


ctoCidi  Mr  lirgtt  a  troop  from  the  line,  which  alto  corered  an  an|^ 
of  the  camp.     I  determined  to  aive  the  relief  from  the  infantry* 
I  wheeled  my  horse  and  met  major  M'Dowell,  who  obierved  that;, 
the  spies  ana  guides  under  the  command  of  captaiii  Fatersoil!' 
Bain,  consisting  of  ten  men,  were  unemployed,     rfe  rode  thercf 
together,  and  ordered  captain  Bnn  to  the  suppo^rt  of  the  squadron.-^ 
Saren  of  them,  to  wit:  ^mes  Audrain,  Wflliann  Conner,  SiW 
M'CulloUgh,  James  Thompson,  James  Naggs,  John  Ruland,  and 
Joseph  6.  M'ClellaAd,  followed  their  hrave  leader  and  rendered! 
most  eftctual  assistance.    I  then  ordered  captain  Buttler  witii 
the  Pittsburgh  blues  to  repair  immediately  to  reinforce  the  squa- 
d^D,  and  directed  captains  Elliott  and  Alexander  to  extend  to  ^e^ 
riaht  and  left,  and  fill  the  interval  occasioned  by  the  withdrawal' 
or  the  Uues.    Captain  Buttler,  in  a  most  pliant  manner  and'' 
highly  worthy  of  the  name  he  bears,  formed  his  men  immediately' 
in  exceHent  order,  and  marched  them  to  the  point  to  which  he  war 
<»dered.    The  alacrity  with  which  they  formed  and  moved  Wat 
never  esxelled  by  any  troops  on  earth.    Hopkins  made  room  for 
them  by  extending  his  troon  to  the  right.    The  blues  were  scarce- 
ly at  tfie  pofiir  assigned  tnem,  before  I  discovered  Ihe  ellfects 
tn^  produced.    A  well  directed  fire  firom  them  and  HopkinsV 
dkagoont  nearly  silenced  the  enemy  in  that  quarter.  They  moved^^ 
in  force  to  the  left  of  iht  sauadron,  and  right  of  the  infantry  at ' 
which  captains  Markles  ana  Elliott's  companies  were  posted. 
Here  again  they  were  warmly  received.    Lieutenant  Ouynne  and' 
ensign  Batteal  Harrison  boldly  stood  their  ground,  and  fired*^ 
obKqnely  on  the  enemy.  Thoee  two  young  officers  in  a  particular ' 
mannttr  iUmalveed  themselves  and  shed  a  histre  on  the  19th. 
Captain  Buiott  and  lieutenant  Campbell  were  on  the  left  of  th» 
company  and  were  not  engaged.    Serjeant  Levitt,  quarter  master 
seij|eant  to  the  t9th  United  States'  regiment,  deserves  particular 
notice  for  his  bravery.    At  this  time  day-lieht  bc^n  tb  dawn^ 
I  then  ordered  captain  Trotter,  whose  tttiop' had' been  ordered  by* 
colonel  Simial  to  mount  for  ^e  purpose,  to  make  a  charge.    The"* 
canCi^  cried  out  to  his  men  to  follow  him,  and  tiiey  tilted  off  at 
fuA  gidlop.    Captain  Trotter's  first  lieutenant  witn  eMitieen  of 
the  meir  were  on  auard.    Lieutenant  Trotter,  comet  Diifliman, 
and  the  residtie  of  lie  troop,  together  with  lieutenant  HobaOn  and 
fonrmenof  Elmore's  troop,  doctw  Moore  and  a  few  t^er  gentler- 
men,  tndttdlttff  Mir.  Thomwi  Moore,  my  private'  secretary,  ad- 
vanced tfdlantty,  and  chaiged  a  numerous  body  oi  HM  enemy; 
Major  M^Dowfir^  with  a  small'  party,  rushed  intoHtc  midetof  tfie 
enemy  and  expooed  himself  vilry  much.    I  omnot  sanr  too  much 
for  dns  gallant  vetergn.  Captain  Markle,  with  about  fifteen  of  hie' 
troop,  and'  lieutenant  Warrens^  also  made  a  darina  chai^  upMi 
the  enemy.    Captain  Markle  avenged'  the  death  of  his  relation, 
lieutenant  Waltz,  upon  an  Indian  with  Ma  own  sword.    Captain 
Trotter  and  his  troop,  ci^tain  Markle  and  his  little  band;  par* 
foHMd  »  most  dalimroua  duty  itt'the  bnvett  manner.    Ca|ftaivf^ 


)  I 

( 


ji 


I 


W  ' 


.  I '  HI 

Mb'. 


:♦ 


114 


til 


1 1 


■jfi 


Trotter  mentioiii  to  me  m  worthy  of  ptrticnlar  noticei^  Mobei^ 
Mitchell,  a  wagoner  who  had  volunteered  for  the  expedition. 
Christian  Willman*  trumpeter  to  colonel  Simnl*t  regiment,  who 
ble^v  two  chftrns  and  hewed  down  an  Indian  with  his  Hwurd. 
IViUiam  Mon^mery,  leijeant  mi^or  to  the  re^ment  of  Ken* 
tuckj  li{^t  dragoons,  wai  in  the  chaive  and  distinguished  himself, 
as  well  as  in  the  skirmish  the  day  before*  In  this  charge,  captain 
Trotter  was  wounded  sli"  *  *  '  "'^^"  "^  ^  ^'  '  "^ 
body,  David  Stule  wounc 
Piatt  received  his  mortal 
hand.  Fearing  that  captun  Trotter^might  be  too  hard  pressed* 
I  ordered  capuin  Johnson,  of  the  Kentucky  lig^t  dra^^ns,  to 
advance  with  his  troop  to  support  him.  I  found  Johnson  ready  ; 
and  colonel  Simral  reports^  to  me  that  all  his  other  captains,  to. 
wit :  Elmore,  Young  and  Smith,  were  anxious  to  join  in  the  charg^. 
But  I  called  for  only  one  troop.  The  colonel  had  ^e  whole  m 
excellent  wder.  Captain  Johnson  did  not  join  Trotter  uiltil  the 
enemy  was  out  of  reach.  He  however  picked  up  a  straggler  or 
two  uiat  Trotter  had  passed  over.  The  cavalry  returns  and 
informed  me  the  enemy  had  fled  precipitately.  I  have  on  this 
occasion  to  lament  the  loss  of  several  orave  men,  and  a  peat 
many  wounded ;  among  the  former,  are  captain  Pierce  of  the  Ohio 
volunteers,  and  lieutenant  Waltz,  of  Markle*s  troop.  From  the 
enclosed  list  you  will  see  the  names  and  numbers  of  the  killed 
and  wounded.  Ei^t  being  killed  and  forty-ei^t  wounded,  two 
of  whom  are  since  dead.  The  enemy  paid  deany  for  their  teme* 
rity.  From  the  trails  through  the  snow,  and  those  found  dead, 
we  could  not  have  killed  less  than  thirty,  which  with  those  killed 
the  day  before,  amounts  to  thirty-eight.  The  enemy  did  not  take 
a  scauk  The  Indian  who  killed  captain  Pierce,  attempted  to 
scalp  him,  but  was  killed.  Mi^or  Ball  informs  me  that  he  can 
say  with  confidence,  that  there  never  were  officers  and  soldiers 
who  displiiyed  more  cool,  firm,  and  soldierly  conduct,  than  those 
of  his  squadron^ 

The  seal,  activity  and  courage  displayed  by  captain  Hopkins 
and  his  officers,  (captain  M'Clelland  and  comet  Herod,  of  the 
Pennsylvania  volunteers,  having  been  attached  to  him)  did  not 
£m1  to  arrest  his  attention,  and  met  his  fullest  approhation.  Lieu- 
tenant Hed^  received  a  slight  wound  on  the  nose.  Captain 
dprard's  tKOoy  sustained  the  action  at  that  point  where  it  nu^ed 
with  greater  violeQce  for  some  time  after  its  commencement,  than 
at'  uky  oth^  (except  upon  the  left)  with  the  firmness  of  vetcomns  | 
while  the  officers  were  unceasingly  employed  in  stimulating  and 
encouraginff  their  men.  Lieutenant  Basev  and  Hickman  were 
both  wouni&d  early,  but  performed  their  duty  in  the  line  to  the 
close  of  the  action.  Comet  M'Clanahan,  quarter  master  to  the 
detachment,  was  equally  active  in  the  line  with  the  other  officere 
of  the  troop.  Quarter  master  serieant  Strother  J.  Hawkins,  who 
bad  no  other  fire  arms,  loadjsd  and  fired  his  pistol  several  times  at 


^  enemj,  tnd  man j  others,  Rimilarly  lituated,  nied  their  piitoto 
••  fast  as  they  could  load  them. 

Young  Mr.  Baylor  placed  himself  a  little  in  front  of  the  lin* 
and  fouint  bravely  during  the  action.  Lieutenant  Warren's  and 
cornet  Lee*s  detachments  behaved  with  great  firmness  and  used 
their  pistols  and  carabines  to  the  best  advantage.  Cornet  Grear 
(of  Warren's)  was  wounded  in  the  arm,  but  remained  some  time 
afterwards  in  the  line.  Captain  Markle's  troop,  as  I  have  befort 
stated,  was  situated  upon  the  left  of  the  squadron  and  most  sorelj 
galled.  Lieutenant  Waltz  fell  most  ^Uantly.  There  never  were 
men  who  sustained  so  heavy  an  action  with  more  firmness;  hvA 
one  sentiment  pervaded  the  whole,  and  victory  or  death  was  most 
obstinately  determined  upon.  Colonel  Simral's  regiment,  althouth 
not  enga^^,  with  the  exception  of  Trotter's  troop,  were  all  ready 
«nd  luting  to.  ennge.  llie  colonel  deserves  the  hichest  applause 
tor  his  excellent  disposition  during  the  action,  ana  for  his  cool, 
firm,  and  deliberate  conduct.  To  mi^or  Ball  the  ^eatest  praise 
is  due  for  his  bravery  and  activity  during  the  action.  No  man 
could  have  done  more.  He  informs  he  was  greatly  aided  through- 
out the  progress  of  the  action  by  tiie  exertions  of  lieutenant  and 
acyutant  Fullerton,  and  seijeant  midor  Edwards.  I  must  now 
mention  in  the  hiriiest  terms  of  appnmation,  lieutenant  Payne,  .of 
the  Kentucky  li^t  dragoons,  who  acted  as  my  adjutant  on  the 
expedition,  for  his  great  activity,  attention  to  duty,  and  gallantry 
during  the  action.  He  rendered  the  most  essential  services.  Mj 
extra  adjutant,  captain  Hite,  was  very  active  and  as  brave  as  a 
lion.  I  always  found  him  ready  for  any  service  I  had  for  him  to 
perform.  Captain  — «— —  of  the  Ohio  volunteers,  marched  wi^ 
me  from  this  place  as  a  private  in  the  ranks,  and  in  the  action 
killed  an  Indian.  He  deserves  my  particular  notice.  Captain 
Alexander,  with  his  riflemen,  were  on  the  left  of  the  firont  lin'e, 
and  not  engaged,  but  were  all  ready  if  an  opportunity  had 
offered.  Beveny  Brown  and  Thomas  Bedford,  of^  captain  Oar- 
nurd's  troop,  and  Francis  Lousong,  of  the  blues,  were  killed  fig^t- 
mg  bravely  in  exposed  situations.  I  have  now,  my  dear  sir, 
detailed  to  you  tiie  particulars  of  an  enga^ment  bravely  fought, 
and  victory  gloriously  won,  after  contending  most  warmly  for  at 
least  an  hoar.  From  the  length  of  our  line  simultaneously  at- 
tacked by  them,  I  am  persuaded  there  ceuld  not  have  been  lest 
than  300  of  the  enemy.  They  foushtmost  braVely.  My  strength 
en  the  morning  of  the  action  was  about  590  rank  and  file,  a  consi- 
derable ]ntn)ortion  of  whom,  amouiiting  to  at  least  forty  or  fifty, 
'were  altnost  rendered  unfit  for  dutybytiie  severitrof  the  weather. 
Some  werei  so  badly  frost-bitten  as  to  be  scarcely  able  to  walk. 
There  never  was  severer  service  performed  by  any  troops,  and 
yet  there  is  not  a  inurinur.  Reports  made  to  me  yesterday 
morning  informs  of  SOS,  who  are  so  severely  frost-bitten  as  to  be 
entirely  unfit  for  duty.  Chi  my  march  back  I  was  compelled  in 
move  tioirly  on  aeconni  «f  the  Wounded^  17  ef  -whom  we  had  t» 


t  : 


i 


I  Mf 


Ui     ik 


IH 


n 


i 


f 


40nj  op  IklMrs.     I  kt|)it  th«  troofMi  alwajt  rM4T  to  mmC  «| 
attack  which  I  dailj  and  nightly  eapacted,  until  i  rcaohMl  thw 

{lace.  I  fortified  mj  camp  evenr  night  by  a  breatt  work,  which 
apt  ua  very  busily  engag^.  The  scarcity  of  axes  was  now 
nost  sensibly  felt.  1  have  informed  you  how  1  advanced  into  thf 
(BBemy*s  country.  My  return  was  much  in  the  same  manner.  I 
determined  to  be  always  ready,  to  avoid  surprises  and  falling  into 
ambuscades.  I  as»ure  you  the  responsibility  attached  to  thia 
command  I  most  seriously  felt.  Being  young  in  service  vui 
inexperienced  I  felt  great  oiffdence  in  accepting  this  command. 
I  however  hope  my  conduct  will  meet  your  approbation.  I  shaQ 
Ibasten  to  join  you,  but  it  will  take  the  troops  some  time  to  recruit 
and  heal.  Some  will  lose  their  toes ;  others'  feet  are  so  swollen 
as  not  to  be  able  to  put  on  their  shoes.  The  night  march  waa 
most  severe  upon  them. 

I  met  mi^r  Adams  with  95  men  on  m^  return,  about  forty  milea 
from  this  place,  with  a  supply  of  provisions.  This  came  moat 
seasonably.  Some  companies  were  entirely  without.  Hopkins*a 
had  eat  nothing  for  three  days.  That  night  I  should  have  order- 
ad  a  horse  to  be  killed.  The  greatest  praise  is  due  in^or  Adama 
for  his  promptitude  in  relieving  us.  My  express  arrived  here  ot 
(Saturday  evening,  and  he  started  on  Sundav  morning.  Tha 
next  day  I  met  colonel  Holt,  from  Dayton,  with  additional  sun- 
lies.  Throu|;h  the  whole  of  this  expedition  we  were  certainqr 
ivoured  by  Divine  Providence.  The  weather,  though  severe,  wat 
ivouraUe  to  the  enterprize.  The  snow  mahled  us  to  aacwtaai 
vhatfaer  we  were  discovered.  The  fnnoii  ^ve  light  all  the  nlj^ 
lind  cm  our  return  the  water  courses  wiue  blocked  up  by  ice ;  vutra 
iras  not  a  drop  <tf  rain.  Such  a  concatination  of  ravoutaide  cir- 
aHmstances  rarely  happens.  The  Indian  Drisonera  I  will  aend  off 
la-morrow  to  Piqua  to  the  caro  of  Mr.  Johnson,  eacartad  by  an 
f#cer  end  flO  troops  from  this  plate.  The  few  lines  I  wrote  yo« 
ifpm  the  battle  ground  I  find  in  same  particulars  to  be  incorrect, 
npt  having  t  that  time  full  roporta  of  the  wounded.  My  prisonera 
IM«  also  more  than  I  then  represented.    I  think,  sir,  tiiat  you  may 

Cluro  the  goverinsent  that  the  battle  of  Mississineway  waa  not 
dly  fouf^t,  and  that  the*  enemy  suffered  severely.  That  <•  « 
iroopa  deserve  well  of  their  counvy,  and  ' '  eir  losses  0U|^t  tn  bv 
aompraaated.  The  inumber  of  lunves  killed  were  canside*^  'hH, 
ffikd  I  have  no  doubt  they  saved  tlie  lives  of  a  great  nuusy  lut^u. 
I  hope  to  c/ert^ke  yon  wfore  Maiden  falls. 

I  nave  karned  since  my  retom  that  general  H<^nis  had  ra> 
tonied  to  Vinc«'«nes  after  burning  some  Indian  vfllacea,  and 
driving  tiion,  si^p  <;:  r J  to  be  301'  in  number,  up  ^  Wabaui.  This 
gtiU  nrade  my  «r<vaiii>u  m«  '^perii<r?s,and  I  snail  not  be  surprised 
to  l^sm  that  Tz~m»'cti  comroar/ded  in  the  action  againat  ma« 
lift  hun  be  whj  h«)  nm'  he  was  a  ^uilant  fellow,  and  manouvered 
veU.  Conner  thinks  it  was  Little  Thunder  (nephew  to  ^e  Littla 
Tnrtli)  from  his  Imid  ¥9k%  vhioli  hi  mw.    Qc  h«p4  *^  ~^ 


lit 

^fi'  nMi  \m  the  Miami  languag*  to  rmh  •n.  Atttiiiy 
would  ioou  retreat.  I  think,  sir,  UM  Kenlucli^  ''•'^^iry  wiH 
acarcelj  Im  in  a  aituation  to  render  you  much  more  set-rive.  Their 
loaset  in  horaet  are  considerable,  and  uii«  hundred  n4  thirty -eight 
frost  bitten  severely.  They  are  fine  fellu  w  »  with  a  few  eic»]ptions, 
and  as  brave  u  any  men  in  the  world.  Captain  Prince  is  heft 
very  sick,  and  was  unable  to  get  on  with  us ;  this  was  to  me  a 
{p«at  loss. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  lie. 

JOHN  B.  CAMPBELL, 

Lieut,  CoL  I9th  V,  8,  regimmti 

t'w 'HMder  in  chief  N.  W.  aimy. 

In  the  hattk  of  the  18U^  Mid  •kinnith  of  Um  17tbk  wwe  kiBod  Hfir* 
vouDdeti4tt. 


# 


(ufCLoavu.) 


Mt  bsab  au» 


DATTOI^  /anuary  lit,  1813. 


.  In  my  report  to  yov  of  the  85th  ultimo,  from  fort  Grtenvillt^ 
I  miutted  to  notice  some  circumstances  and  individuals,  inadvcri> 
antly,  which  and  who  ara  a«  hi|^y  worthy  of  notice,  aa  most  of 
those  I  have  already  detailed.  I  must,  tlierafore,  in  the  moat  spa-* 
eial  manner,  mention  Mr.  James  Bradshaw,  captain  Lewia  Hite, 
and  Mr.  Silas  M'Cullough,  who  tendered  their  services  to  me  oa 
the  battle  ground,  to  carry  intelligence  to  Greenville  of  our  situa- 
tion, and  request  a  reinrorcement  of  men,  and  a  supply  of  prwri- 
•iom.  This  danaerous  and  fatiguing  service  they  peruumed  in  tho 
IMstunmipft  ana  expeditious  manner.  In  twenty-twohourathey 
travelled  upwards  of  eighty  milea  without  rcsti^,  except  a  few 
minutes,  twice  to  feodtkmr  horses,  and  reached  Greenville  worn 
down  with  fiitigtte.  At  Greenville,  in  assisting  to  forward  suppliea* 
their  cQuuttctmerita  the  bii^estnraise.  Imustalsomoitionbyname, 
;ketttenanta  Magee  and  lrvin,or  the  Pittsburg  blues,  whose  cool  de* 
tiberate  bcavery  was  ebaerved  amidst  the  hottoat  fire  of  the  enemy, 
and  I  renret  extremely  that  those  young  gantlemen  who  highly 
vented  £»tiiictio«,  abonldliave  been  pretermitted  in  my  first  reports 
I  made  a  mistake  in  stattng  that  captain  was  abandoned 

by  half  bia guard) only  a«eer  two  went  in  for  part  of  their  arma» 
whilst  tho  rest  remi^Mied  with  tbek  companions,  and  upon  enquiry, 
wore  found  to  have  labaved  welL  Captain  Smith  was  aided  in  hi» 
excellent  dinpesitioA  at  the  redoubt  he  conmanded,  b^  Ueutenantt 
iMlama  and  Fishel,  whose  names  and  bravery  are  sy  nonimous  terms* 
A4iittNllOiijr  lid  vvulu  Miter  Hite,  ef  the  JKivtuckj^  Ugjut 


.[I 


y  , 


116 

dragoons,  are  two  flhe  young  men,  and  wat  actnallj  emplojed  cai 
the  morning  of  the  battle. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect,  irours,  &c 
^  JOHN  B.  CAMPBELL, 

Lieut.  Cbl.  19£fc  U.  S,  regiment 


Ail  excellency  Gen.  Huoaon. 


UNITi^D  STATES'  FRIGATE  CONSTITUTION, 

St.  Salvador,  January  3d,  1813. 

SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  inform  yo'\  that  on  the  29th  ultimo,  at 
S  P.  M.  in  south  latitude  13,06,  and  west  lon^tude  38,  10  leagues 
distance  from  the  coast  of  Brazils,  I  fell  in  with  and  captured  hit 
Britannic  majesty's  frigate  Java,  of  49  guns,  and  upwards  of  400 
men,  commanded  by  captain  Lambert,  a  very  distin^ished  officer. 
The  action  lasted  one  hour  and  fifty -five  minutes,  in  which  time 
the  enemy  was  completely  dismasted,  not  having  a  spar  of  any 
kind  standing*  The  loss  on  board  the  Constitution,  was  nine 
killed  and  25  wounded,  as  per  enclosed  list.  The  enemy  had  60 
killed  and  101  wounded,  certainly,  (among  the  latter— captain 
Lambert,  mortally)  but  by  the  enclosed  letter,  written  on  board 
the  ship,  (by  one  of  the  officers  of  the  Java)  and  accidentally  found, 
it  is  evident  that  the  enemy's  wounded  must  have  been  much 
greater  than  as  above  stated,  and  who  must  have  died  of  their 
wounds  previously  to  their  being  removed.  The  letter  states  66 
killed  and  170  wounded. 

For  further  details  of  the  action,  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the 
•nclosed  extracts  from  myjoumad.  The  Java  had  in  addition  t» 
her  own  crew  upwards  or  one  hundred  supemnmwary  officers 
and  seamen,  to  join  the  British  ships  of  war  in  the  East  Indies : 
also,  lieutenant  eeneral  Hislop,  appointed  to  the  command  oi 
Bombast  major  Walker  and  captain  Wood,  of  his  staff,  and  cap- 
tain ImirbhaU,  master  and  commander  in  the  British  navy,  going 
to  the  East  Indies  to  take  command  of  a  sloop  of  war  there. 

Should  I  attempt  to  do  justice,  by  representation,  to  the  brave 
and  good  conduct  of  all  my  officers  and  crew,  during  the  action* 
I  should  fail  in  the  attempt ;  therefore,  suffice  it  to  say,  that  the 
whole  of  their  conduct  was  such  as  to  merit  my  himest  enco- 
miums. I  beg  leave  to  recommend  the  officers  particularly  to  the 
notice  of  government,  as  also  the  unfortunate  seamen  who  were 
wounded,  and  the  families  of  those  men  who  fell  in  the  action. 

The  great  distance  from  our  own  coast,  and  the  perfect  wreck 
we  ma(w  the  enemy's  frigate,  forbid  every  idea  of  attempting  t» 
take  her  to  the  United  States ;  and  not  considering  it  prudent  to 
trust  her  into  a  port  of  Brazils,  particularly  St.  Suvaoor,  as  you 
will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  letters,  No.  1,  2  and  3,  I  had  n» 
aUornativc  but  burnii^  her,  which  I  did  on  tht  dltt  ultimo,  after 


lit 


lecemng  all  tiie  prisoners  and  their  ba^jagft,  which  was  very  tti- 
dious  work,  only  having  one  boat  left  H^ut  of  eight)  and  not  on* 
left  on  board  the  Java. 

On  blowing  up  the  fri^te  Java.  I  proceeded  to  this  place,  where 
I  have  landed  all  the  prisoners  on  tneir  parole,  to  return  to  Eng- 
land, and  there  remain  until  regularly  exchanged,  and  not  serve 
in  their  professional  capacities  in  any  place  or  in  any  manner 
whatever,  against  the  United  States  of^  America,  until  the  ex« 
change  shall  be  effected. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

W.  BAINBRIDGE, 
The  Secretaiy  of  the  Navy. 


M 


i       6(/^  reg.  Infantry, 


ALBANY,  January  5tb,  1 813.       ^ 
BSTEKMED  SIR, 

I  deem  it  a  duty  I  owe  to  you  and  to  myself,  to  state  in 
detail  the  conduct  ot  my  command  in  the  expedition  against 
Queenstown,  Upper  Canada,  on  the  13th  of  October  last,  which 
I  now  readily  embrace,  having  been  informed  last  evening. that  I 
was  exchanged. 

^  I  arrived  at  the  old  encampment.  Lew  stown,  on  the  morning  of 
Ae  13th  of  October,  between  4  and  5  o'clock  from  fort  Niagara, 
with— 

Captains  Machesny  and  Nelson, 
Lieutenants  Wendell  and  Buck, 

Captain  Morris,  Lieutenants  Turner  and  Phelps,  1  ^ih    do. 
Lieutenants  Clark,  M'Carty  and  Whiting,  2Sd     do. 

Lieutenant  Bayly,  of  the  3d  regiment  United  States'  artillery, 
a^tins  adjutant,  and  250  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates, 
all  in  nigh  spirits  and  anxious  for  the  field.  I  reported  and  received 
orders  to  repair  to  the  old  French  ferry,  and  was  there  informed 
that  there  were  no  boats.  Lieutenant  colonels  Fr^wick  and  Chris- 
tie had  a  short  conversation  at  the  ferry,  and  I  was  ordered  by  the 
fomi«r  to  "  countermarch  my  men."  At  this  time,  firing  com- 
menced at  Queenstown,  and  a  cry  of  help !  help !  reinforcement ! 
reinforcement !  was  hesurd  from  our  advanced  party.  I  was  at  this 
moment  informed  that  there  were  a  few  boats,  out  neither  boatmen 
nor  pilots.  I  immediately  repiured  to  the  river,  and  in  marching 
towards  the  shore,  one  of  my  best  officers,  captain  Nelson,  received 
a  musket  ball,  at  the  head  of  his  company,  in  the  abdomen,  which 
caused  his  death.  The  enemy  directed  an  incessant  and  heavj 
fire  of  grape  and  canister  from  their  batteries,  and  a  steady  street 
firing  from  their  muskets  towards  the  ferrv,  to  prevent  our  embark- 
ation ;  notwitlistanding,  I  persisted,  followea  by  my  brave  men, 
under  the  most  discouraging  auspices.  Three  boats  were  inime- 
diately  filled;  colonel  Fen  wick  gallantiy  embarked  in  the  third 
boat.  On  finding  the  enemy's  fire  extremely  galling,  I  commraced 


■    V 


'  i 


^  1^1 


m  Iftisk  art  from  mjbJiat  in  order  to  d!v«st  ntj  men  from  the  fire 
•f  the  enemy,  which  had  an  excellent  effect,  and  our  dropping 
down  the  river,  by  the  rapidity  of  the  current,  was  taken  for  a  man- 
oavre  to  effect  a  landing  below  the  town,  for  the  purpose  of  stormine 
the  north  battery  and  of  attacking  the  enemy  from  tiie  rear.  At 
tiiis  moment,  the  enemy  then  engaged  with  the  stormins  party,  broke 
in  disorder,  when  general  Brock,  endeavouring  to  rally  ^em,  was 
killed,  and  lus  aid  m(Hially  wounded.  In  the  retreat  of  the  enemy, 
lieutenant  colonel  Fenwick  and  all  in  his  boat*  were  made  pn" 
soners,  also  lieutenant  Clarke,  and  about  forty  men.  I  must  inevi- 
tably have  shured  the  same  fate,  did  I  not  hazard  re-crossing  under 
all  their  fire,  and  which  I  effected  without  losing  a  man.  I  seized 
the  boat  that  drifted  from  colonel  Fenwick's  party,  put  some  of 
my  wounded  into  it  with  five  volunteers,  who  declared,  desperate 
«s  the  alternative  was,  they  should  not  surrender— four  of  whom 
were  my  own  men,  and  the  fifth  a  doctor  Lawson,  of  Philade!]jhia, 
e  truly  brave  man,  met  accidentally  on' the  shore.  By  this  time, 
captam  Machesny,  gaining  experience  by  my  misfortune,  effected 
« landing  hig^rup  the  river  and  ascended  the  heights  of  Queem- 
iown  in  time  to  secure  the  victory  obtained  by  the  valour  of  the 
storming  party.  On  mv  arrival,  at  Lewistown,  I  ordered  a  Ser- 
jeant to  collect  such  or  the  detachment  as  did  not  yrenmAj 
cross.  I  repaired  to  fort  Gray  and  informed  lieutemmt  Rees,  of  the 
3d  artillery,  who  commanded  there,  that  his  shot  was  lost  for  want 
of  elevation.  I  returned  and  re-crossed  with  25  men.  On  mjr 
arrival  at  the  first  battery,  I  was  informed  that  a  number  of  mr 
men  were  still  at  Lewistown.  I  crossed  again  in  search  <^  an  of- 
ficer to  coHect  them,  found  one,  gave  him  necessary  orders,  and 
had  the  honour  of  accompanying  you,  sir,  being  the  fifth  time  I 
passed  ever  that  river  that  day.  I  then  took  a  command  in  the 
ongagement  against  the  Indians  and  militia,  whom  we  drove  inid 
the  woods,  a  service  which  was  repeated  preparatory  to  the  ar- 
rival of  the  British  reinforcement.  Our  men  were  paraded^ 
lieutenant  colonel  Christie  had  sixl^  in  his  division,  and  I  had 
sixty-five  in  mine,  with  117  militia,  officers  included;  we  had 
casptein  Gibson  and  one  piece  of  ordnance  with  nine  rounds  for 
it.  This  was  our  whole  force,  and  commanded  by  colonel  Scott; 
when  the  enemy  very  cautiously  approached  us  with  upwards  of 
2000  men  and  a  train  of  artillery. 

I  shall  ever  look  back  with  pleasure  to  the  firmness  and  patri- 
otic derotton  exhilnted  at  that  moment  by  our  little  force ;  near 
half  my  men  were  in  coloured  clollies — ^mere  recruits,  yet  their 
conduct  would  da  honour  to  veterans,  and  from  that  day  I  date 
the  superior  excellence  of  our  military  materials.  Satisfied  that 
you  are  already  aecpiainted  vrith  the  remainder  of  that  day's 
transactions  at  Queenstown,  I  will  only  state  that  my  detach- 

*  The  boat  in  which  I  embarked  had  the  bow  ahot  away  in  croiwig',  and 
KM  nukiy  ftitt  rf  water  as  we  got  on  ibare*. 


^ 


luent  braved  every  thing :  that  lieutenant  Bayl j  merited  honour^ 
able  notice ;  he  accompanied  me  in  the  boat  and  humanely  stayed  bv 
a  wounded  officer  (lieutenant  Sweeny,  of  captain  Doxe's  volunteers) 
on  the  Canada  shore,  and  was  made  a  prisoner  early.  To  captain 
Machesny,  of  the  6th  re^ment  infantry,  lieutenants  Clarke  and 
M'Carty  of  the  23d,  lieutenants  Turner*  and  Phelps,  of  the  13th,  I 
feel  grateful  for  their  valuable  support.  Captain  Morris  having  re- 
turned early  to  Lewistown  with  some  prisoners,  was  engaged 
there  the  remainder  of  the  day,  and  lieutenants  Wendell  and 
"Whiting  were  left  to  collect  such  of  the  detachment  as  were 
missinn;  and  in  charge  of  public  stores  I  cannot,  in  justice  to 
my  brave  detachment,  close  this  communication  without  expressing 
iBV  astonishment  at  the  omission  of  its  arduous  duties  in  your 
official  detail  of  that  day :  althoush  indifferent  as  to  myself  (satis- 
fied that  t  will  yet  have  justice  done  when  the  scenes  of  that  en- 
terprise are  better  known)  many  of  my  officers  merited  a  full 
share  of  public  notice,  and  from  my  knowledge  of  ypu,  sir,  to  the 
want  of  correct  information  alone,  I  ascribe  the  omission. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  yours,  &c. 

J.  R.  MULIiANY, 
Jttajor  2Sd  regt*  Infantry, 
To  M^jor  general 

.  Stephen  Van  Benatelaer,  Albany. 


ALBANY,  Januuy  33<i,  1813. 

DEAR  SIR, 

I  sincerely  regret  that  you  and  the  officers  under  your 
immediate  command  have  not  been  represented  to  the  commander 
in  chief,  which,  from  the  statement  you  have  made,  their  gallantry 
merits. 

It  certainly  was  my  desire  that  ample  justice  should  have  been 
done  to  every  individual  under  my  command,  and  more  especially 
yourself,  for  whom  I  entertain  the  highest  respect  as  a  military 
man. 

The  want  of  correct  information,  owing  to  your  having  been 
made  a  prisoner,  and  lieutenant  colonel  renwick  dangerously 
wounded,  induced  me,  before  I  left  the  army,  to  request  brigadier 
general  Smjrth  to  mention  to  general  Deaibom  such  officera  as 
had  been  omitted  by  me  in  my  official  despatch,  in  a  manner  their 
conduct  deserved.    This  duty,  I  presume,  has  been  performed. 

With  great  respect,  &c. 

S.  VAN  RENSSELAER. 
Major  Mullany. 

*  Lieutenant  Turner  woi  made  a  priaoner  early,  and  was  afterwnds  re- 
taken. 

19 


■     'i:..    if 


.!>  ',. 


122 


i 


■'■( 


SIR> 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  PORTAGE  RIVER, 

15  miles  from  Miami  Rapida,  Januaty  24tli,  1813. 


It  ig  with  the  deepest  regret  that  I  have  to  inform  you, 
that  the  detachment  under  eeneral  Winchester  has  been  entirelj 
destroyed  by  an  Indian  ana  Biitisli  force,  on  the  morning  of  th« 
22d  instant,  at  the  river  Raisin.    About  12  o'clock  on  that  day  I 
was  informed  at  the  Rapids,  by  a  messenger  from  an  officer  wha 
was  marching  to  reinforce  general  "Winchester,  that  the  general 
had  been  attac)eed  that  morning,  and  that  the  Frenchman  who 
brought  this  intelligence,  supposed  that  our  troops  were  retreating. 
I   hatl  then  with  me  a  renment  of  Ohio  militia,  about    three 
hundred  and  fifty  strong.    Two  detachments  were  on  the  way  to 
jc      general  Winchester,  but  had  taken  different  roads.    One  or 
tw  .  hundred  Ohio  troops  were  marching  on  the  edge  of  the  lake, 
and  the  other  tliree  hundred  strong  were  pursuing  Hull's  road. 
Leaving  direction  for  the  regiment  m  camp  to  follow  me,  I  pro- 
ceeded on  and  overtook  the  detachment  of  Kentucky  troops  in 
about  five  miles.    Additional  information  was  now  received.  The 
French  citizens  were  flying  in  considerable  numbers  in  carryalU 
upon  the  ice,  and  about  3  o'clock  some  of  the  fugitives  began  to 
arrive.    All  agreed  that  the  defeat  was  total  and  complete — tliat 
the  troops  were  nearly  ail  surrounded  and  cut  off,  or  taken  bjr  7 
o'clock— that  general  Winchester  was  seen  retiring  a  few  miles 
from  the  river  Raisin  along  Hull's  trace,  with  a  few  men  and  two 
or  three  officers,  all  of  whom  were  entirely  exhausted— that  they 
were  pursued  by  Indians  on  horse  back,  who  were  constantly  tliin- 
ning  their  numbers  by  firing  upon  them,  and  that  our  men  were 
unable  to  resist,  as  almost  all  of  them  had  thrown  away  their 
arms.    I  could  not  hesitate  as  to  the  propriety  of  hurrying  to 
their  assistance  as  long  as  tliere  was  a  possibility  of  being  able 
to  afford  any ;  but  I  was  much  embatTassed  in  tlie  choice  of  the 
roads  which  it  was  proper  to  take ;  that  upon  the  ice,  would  afford 
the  most  easy  and  expetlitious  march,  and  that  route,  major  Col- 
grove,  with  the  battalion  before  mentioned,  had  taken.    On  the 
contrary,  all  the  accounts  agreed  that  general  Winchester  had 
taken  the  land  road,  but  in  a  short  time,  from  the  fugitives  'vho 
began  to  drop  in,  I  learnt  that  general  Winchester  and  the  fortv 
or  fifty  men  who  were  with  him  were  all  cut  of,  a  few  excepted, 
who  hadtaken  off  to  the  margin  of  the  lake ;  and  from  those 
wiio  were  last  fi-om  the  scene  of  action,  I  learnt  that  all  resistance 
upon  the  part  of  the  troops  that  had  remained  there,  had  ceased 
before  S  o'clock.    The  question  then  to  be  determined,  was, 
whether  it  would  be  proper  to  advance  to  the  scene  of  action  or 
not.    The  force  with  me,  when  joined  by  colonel  Grove's  bat- 
talion, would  amount  to  nearly  nine  hundred  men.    This  batta- 
lion had  made  a  forced  march  of  twelve  miles  the  morning  of  the 
action,  and  had  arrived  within  about  15  miles  of  the  river  Uaisin, 
vrhen  the  major  received  such  certain  information  of  the  total 


is3 


defleat  of  the  troops,  that  he  had  thougut  proper  to  return,  and 
was  then  within  a  few  miles  of  us.  General  Payne,  general 
Perkins,  and  all  the  field  officers  were  consulted,  and  it  was 
unantmousty  determined,  that  as  there  could  be  no  doubt  of  the 
total  defeat  of  general  Winchester,  there  was  no  motive  that 
Could  authorize  an  immediate  advance,  but  that  of  attacking  the 
enemy,  who  were  reported  to  be  greatly  superior  in  numbers, 
and  were  certainly  well  provided  with  artillery ;  that  after  a 
forced  march  of  thirty -two  miles  (the  distance  from  our  then 

Eosition  from  the  river  liaisin)  the  troops  would  be  too  much  ex- 
austed  to  encounter  the  enemy ;  that  colonel  Grove's  battalion, 
from  having  already  marched  twenty-five  miles  that  day,  would  be 
unable  to  accompany  us.  It  was  therefore  determined  to  return 
to  camp  with  the  troops,  but  large  detachments  of  the  most  large 
and  vigorous  men  were  sent  along  the  different  routes  to  assist 
and  bring  in  the  fu^tives.  I  had  despatched  colonel  Wells 
early  in  the  evening  in  a  carryall  to  procure  intelligence.  He 
progressed  within  twelve  miles  of  tlie  scene  of  action  and  re-" 
turned  about  9  o'clock.  A  council  of  war  was  then  called,  con 
tistine  of  the  general  and  field  officers,  and  two  questions  sub- 
mittea  to  them,  viz:  whether  it  was  probable  that  the  enemy 
would  attack  us  in  our  then  situation,  and  if  they  did,  could  we 
resist  them  with  effect  P 

At  this  council,  major  M'Clanehan,  of  the  Kentucky  volun" 
teers,  who  escaped  from  the  action,  assisted.    He  was  of  opinion 
that  there  were  from  sixteen  hundred  to  two  thousand  British 
and  Indians  opposed  to  our  troops,  and  that  they  had  six  pieces 
of  artillery,  principally  howitzers.    It  was  the  unanimous  opinion 
of  the  councd,  that  under  all  circumstances  it  would  be  proper  t6 
retxtrn  a  short  distance  upon  this  road  which  the  artillery  and 
reinforcements  were  approaching;  for  should  we  be  able  to  main- 
ta:tn  our  camp,  by  getting  in  our  rear  the  enemy  would  defeat  our 
th)ops  in  detail,  in  spite  of  all  the  efforts  we  could  make,  and  would 
take  the  all  important  convoy  of  artillery  and  stores  coming  from 
Upper  Sandusky.    The  march  to  this  place  was  accoraingly 
made  yesterday ;  where  I  shall  wait  for  the  artillery  and  a  de- 
tachment under  general  Leftwich.   I  hope  in  a  few  days  again  to 
be  at  the  Rapids.    With  respect  to  the  disaster  that  has  hap- 
pened, and  the  cause  which  has  produced  it,  it  is  proper  that  I 
should  say,  that  the  movement  which  led  to  it,  was  not  only 
without  my  knowledge  or  consent,  but  entirely  at  variance  with 
the  instructions  that  I  had  given  to  general  Winchester.    As 
soon  as  I  was  informed  that  it  had  been  made,  every  effort  in  mj 
power  was  used  to  increase  their  strength.    Three  hundred  men 
more  than  the  ^neral  had  asked  for,  were  on  their  march  to  join 
him.    As  his  situation  enabled  him  to  obtain  the  most  correct  in- 
formation of  the  strength  and  position  of  the  enemy,  I  could  not 
doubt  of  his  having  obtained  it.    In  justice  to  general  Winchester, 
however,  it  is  my  duty  to  elnerve  that )  have  understood  tliat  thf 


1 1  ^*  ■  •?' 


m 


'f. 


-A 


.1 


If 


184 

detachment  under  colonel  Lewis  was  made  at  the  earnest  solicit 
tations  of  his  officers,  and  perhajis  contrary  to  his  judgment. 
However  deeply  to  be  lamented,  sir,  the  destructi<Mi  of  ue  de- 
tachment under  eeneral  Winchester  may  be  as  a  national  calamity, 
and  as  it  regards  the  families  of  the  valuable  individuals  whs 
have  fallen,  it  has  by  no  means  destroved  my  hopes  of  success 
with  regard  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  principal  objects  of  the 
campaign,  unless  the  weatner  should  be  uncommonly  unfavourable. 
I  shall  return  to  the  Rapids  in  a  few  days  with  a  force  consider- 
ably superior  to  any  that  the  enemy  can  collect  in  the  upper  dis- 
trict of  Canada.  I  can  discover  no  despondence  amongst  the 
troops  that  are  with  me,  and  I  trust  that  soriiethinff  may  jet  be 
done  to  compensate  us  for  the  hardships  and  difficulties  which  we 
every  moment  sustain. 

^  The  account  given  by  major  M'Clanehan  and  captain  Groves, 
of  the  action  of  the  22d,  is  ^t  the  enemy  commenced  just  after 
reveille  to  throw  shells  amongst  our  troops  before  the  officers  and 
men  had  risen  from  their  bedS.  They  were  however  formed,  but 
very  inconveniently  posted,  and  being  entirely  surrounded,  they 
were  taken  in  twenty  minutes.  The  j^neral  endeavoured  to 
rally  them  after  thev  liad  passed  the  nver,  but  without  effect. 
For^  or  fifty  with  tne  general  broke  through  in  that  direction, 
but  m^m  the  depth  of  the  snow  those  on  foot  were  soon  exhausted, 
and  were  in  a  short  distance  overtaken  by  the  Indians.  The 
eeneral  frequently  attempted  to  form  them  to  oppose  the  Indians, 
but  his  effi)rts  were  ineffectual.  1  am  unable  to  say  what  are  the 
proportion  of  the  killed  and  prisoners.  Some  of  the  Frenchmen 
whom  I  have  seen,  asseK  that  five  hundred  were  killed ;  others, 
ei^ht.  I  am  still,  however,  in  hopes  that  the  greater  part  are 
pnsouers.  I  have  seen  one  man  wno  asserts  that  he  saw  general 
Winchester  killed,  scalped,  and  his  bowels  taken  out.  >Such  are 
the  allies  of  a  power  which  boasts  its  attainments  in  every  art 
and  science,  and  such  tlie  war  associates  of  British  officers  who 
claim  distinctian  for  their  nice  feelings  and  delicate  sense  of 
honour. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

WILUAM  HENRY  HARRISON. 

*  But  3  officen  and  35  or  30  privates  have  reached  my  camp  from  the  battle 
of  the  river  Raisin. 

Honourable  James  Monroe, 

acting  Secretary  of  War. 


SIR, 


OTTER  CREEK,  Januaiy  13th,  1813. 


I  havt  taken  iiie  liberty  to  send  per  express  to  inform  you 
that  the  enemy  are  apprized  of  your  oeing  at  the  RajHds,  and 
have  removed  all  the  nruaadf  <tf  oar  government  to  Maiden  prison, 


\»s 


Aud  at  |}r<8eiit  we  are  beset  with  gpies.  I  expect  tlie  guard  t» 
search  tor  me  every  motnent.  I  have,  agreeably  to  my  orders 
from  Mr.  Shields,  your  actine  contractor,  engaged  fifty  barrels  of 
flour,  and  two  hundred  bushels  of  wheat.  Ii  you,  sir,  see  proper 
to  send  a  detachment  of  cavalry  and  riflemen,  with  arms  and 
ammunition  for  thirty  men  for  this*place,  we  can  secure,  it  is  sup- 
posed, three  thousand  barrels  of  flour  and  a  great  quantity  of 
corn  and  wheat.  There  are  but  forty  or  fifty  soldiers  garrisoned 
at  the  river  Raisin^  and  not  one  hundred  savages ;  there  is  not 
one  thousand  English,  French,  and  savages  at  Maiden. 

If  you  do  not  come  to-morrow  or  the  next  day,  you  will  not 
find  a  man  at  this  place.  The  English  are  collecting  all  the 
savages  to  rally  at  the  river  Raisin  for  the  purpose  of  giving  bat- 
tle. They  are  engaging  sleii^hs  to  transport  the  flour  and  grun 
to  their  Pandora's  box,  Malo'en.  Five  hundred  true  and  brave 
Americans  can  secure  the  district  of  Erie.  A  timely  ap]Nroaeh 
of  our  armies  will  secure  us  trom  being  forced  to  prison,  and  the 
whole  place  from  being  burned  by  savose  fury. 

Your  humble  servant,  &c. 

ISAAC  DAY. 

P.  S.  Please  to  excuse  this  scroll,  aa  I  write  in  the  woods 
without  a  fire. 

His  excellency  Gov.  Hanuon. 


f 


of 


HEAD  QUARTERS  N.  W.  AR1«Y,  PORTAGE  RTVER, 

15  miles  from  the  Iiliaini  Rapids,  January  26th,  181S. 

SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  hetewith..  a  dupUcate  of  ray 
letter  of  the  25th  instant,  together  with  the  official  report  of  colo- 
nel Lewis  to  general  Winchester  of  the  action  of  the  18th  in- 
stant 

That  you  may  be  enabled  to  judge  of  the  propriety  of  the  steps 
which  were  taken  by  me  previously  to  the  unfortunate  event  at 
the  river  Raisin,  - 1  proceed  to  ^ve  you  an  account  of  the  situa- 
tion of  the  troops  and  the  arrangements  I  had  made  for  their 
advance : — ^the  left  wing  of  the  army  under  the  immediate  orders 
of  general  Winchester,  consisting  of  the  6th  regiment  Kentucky 
troops,  a  battalion  of  Ohio  infantry,  and  a  detachment  of  re- 
gulars under  colonel  Wells. 

The  importance  of  keeping  a  considerable  force  on  this  line 
after  the  advance  of  the  army,  from  its  vicinity  to  the  Indian 
tribes  of  the  Wabasli  and  lake  Michigan,  induced  me  to  direct 
general  Winchester  to  tiUce  with  him  three  Kentucky  reg^ents 
and  the  regular  troops  only.  With  these,  amounting  to  about 
thirteen  hundred  men,  he  marched  from  his  camp,  five  miles  be- 
low the  niotttli  of  the  Augluse  river,  on  the  31st  ultiMo.    On  the 


SA^:^ 


!:5  'i  ^''i%^ 


f 


1'''\^-^:\ 


126 


.     m 


evtuiiig  before,  he  despatched  an  express,  infbnning  me  of  hi« 
intention  to  march  the  next  morning;*  This  express  was  sent 
tiirough  the  woods  to  general  Tapper's  camp,  fourteen  miles  ad- 
vanced of  Urbanna,  upon  Hull's  road.  A  violent  snow  storm 
^evented  it  from  reaching  general  Tupper  until  the  9di  instant, 
and  it  was  not  until  the  1 1th,  that  it  came  to  me  at  Upper  San- 
dusky. I  immediately  gave  orders  '?or  several  droves  of  hogs, 
whicK  had  been  stuppeu  on  their  route,  to  proceed  towards  tne 
Rapids,  and  I  directed  the  artillery  to  be  prepared  to  progress  at 
soon  as  the  general's  arrival  at  the  Rapids  should  be  announced, 
which  I  directed  him  to  do  bj  express,  to  be  sent  immediately  to 
Upper  Sandusky.  Not  hearmg  from  the  general  for  some  days, 
I  began  to  conclude  that  his  progress  had  been  stopped  by  a  consi- 
denuble  thaw,  which  took  place  about  tlie  Ist  of  the  montii.  On 
the  evening  of  the  16th  instant,  I  received  a  letter  from  general 
Perkins,  enclosing  one  from  general  Winchester  to  him,  of  the 
15ch,  informing  of  his  arrival  at  the  Rapids  on  the  10th  ;-^— >that 
it  was  his  intention  to  advance  against  tne  enemy,  and  directine 
him  (genenu  Perkins)  to  send  a  reinforcement  to  the  Rapids,  m 
one  battalion.  Alarmed  at.  this  information,  I  despatched  an  ex- 
press with  the  enclosed  letter,  by  the  direct  route  to  the  Rapids, 
and  set  out  myself  to  Lower  Sandusky,  and  reached  it  on  the  even- 
ing of  the  17th.  On  the  morning  of  the  18th,  the  battalion  ,whicli 
general  Winchester  applied  for,  marched  from  Lower  Sandusky. 
About  2  o'clock  on  the  mornins  of  the  19th,  a  letter  from  general 
Winchester  was  received,  of  wiiich  the  enclosed  is  an  extract.    I 

Eve  immediate  orders  for  the  2d  regiment  of  Perkins's  brigade 
hich  consists  of  two  regiments  only)  to  march  immediateljr  for 
e  Rapids,  and  proceeded  thitlier  myself.  On  my  way,  I  received 
the  general's  letter  of  the  19th,  informing  me  of  the  success  of  colo- 
nel Lewis,  a  copy  of  which  I  had  the  honour  to  enclose  you  from 
the  Rapids.  Upon  my  arrival  at  the  latter  place,  on  the  morning 
of  the  20th,  I  found  that  general  Winchester  had  marched  the 

5 receding  day,  having  left  general  Payne  with  about  three  hun- 
red  of  uie  Kentucky  troops.  It  was  not  until  late  on  the  21  st 
instant,  that  major  Golgrove  was  enabled  to  extricate  his  baggage 
from  the  horrid  swamp  which  separates  the  Miami  and  Sandusky 
rivers.  He  encampea  that  evening  near  the  Miami  bay,  and  by 
marching  early  on  the  following  morning,  he  had  arrived  within 
fifteen  miles  of  the  river  Raisin,  when  he  was  informed  of  the 
total  defeat  of  our  troops  there. 

The  2d  resiment  of  Perkins's  brigade  arrived  there  on  the  21st« 
and  I  immediately  ordered  the  remaining  part  of  the  Kentucky 
troops  under  general  Payne,  to  proceed  witn  all  possible  expedi- 
tion to  the  river  Raisin.  I  was  ntill  uneas;^  for  tne  troops  tnere, 
but  supposing  general  Winchester  had  obtained  the  best  informa- 
tion of  the  strength  of  the  disposable  force  of  the  enemy,  and 
as  I  sent  him  three  hundred  men  more  than  he  deemed  sufficient 
Ibr  maintaining  his  ground,  and  as  there  were  a  thousand  reasout 


187 


which  made  it  necessary  to  maintain  it  if  practicable ;  I  did  not 
think  it  proper  to  order  him  to  retreat,  aUnough  the  advance  in 
iiie  first  instance  was  contrary  to  ir.y  v/inhes,  and  opposed  to  a 
principle  by  which  1  have  been  ever  Koverned  in  Indian  warfare, 
1.  e.  never  to  make  a  detachment  but  under  the  most  urgent 
circumstances.    Amongst  the  many  reasons  why  the  post  at  the 
river  Raisin  should  be  maintained,  the  protection  of  the  French 
inhabitants  was  not  the  last.    The  greater  part  of  these  people 
had  received  our  troops  with  open  arms.    Many  of  them  had 
sallied  out  of  their  houses  upon  the  arrival  of  colonel  Lewis,  with 
their  arms  in  their  hands,  and  had  even,  in  the  opinion  of  some  of 
our  officers,  won  the  palm  of  valour  from  our  troops.    They  at- 
tacked and  killed  the  straggling  Indians  wherever  they  met  them ; 
their  houses  were  all  open  to  our  men,  and  they  offered  to  give  up 
the  whole  of  the  provisions  which  yet  remained  to  them,  upon 
condition  that  they  should  not  again  be  abandoned  to  the  fury  of 
the  savages,  or  subjected,  for  what  they  had  done,  to  be  immured  in 
the  prisons  of  Maiden.    I  had  also  been  informed  that  the  sup- 
plies to  be  procured  there  were  considerable  (see  Day's  letter  en- 
closed in  No.  3),  and  the  assistance  to  be  derived  from  the  caryalla 
of  the  inhabitants  was  an  object  of  the  greatest  importance.    The 
former  of  these  motives  had  made  so  strong  an  impression  upon 
the  minds  of  the  general  and  his  troops,  that  1  am  persuaded  tliat 
nothing  but  a  reiterated  order  to  retreat,  would  have  produced 
obedience  upon  the  part  of  the  latter.    These  reasons,  together 
with  the  respect  which  it  was  necessary  to  shew  to  the  opinion 
of  an  officer  of  high  rank  and  experience,  whose  opportunities  of 
procuring  the  most  correct  information,  was  much  better  than 
mine,  produced  the  determination  to  support,  rather  than  with- 
draw the  detachment  from  the  river  Haisin.    indeed  it  appears 
that  there  was  not  time  for  either,  after  my  arrival  at  the  Rapids 
When  I  left  Upper  Sandusky,  the  artillery  was  ordered  to  be 
•ent  on  immediately  to  the  Rapids,  escorted  by  three  hundred 
men.    Detachments  were  also  ordered  for  the  pack  horses,  wa- 

Sns  and  sledr,  which  were  constantly  pro^ssing  thither.  Ano- 
er  battalion  could  also  have  been  drawn  trom  Lower  Sandusky, 
so  that  the  troops  at  the  Rapids  would  have  been  almost  daily 
increased.  On  this  day  they  would  have  amounted  to  twenty -five 
hundred,  with  two  pieces  of  artillery ;  and  in  four  or  five  days 
more,  the  Virginia  brigade  and  Pennsylvania  regiment  would  have 
increased  them  to  tliirty-eight  hundred,  with  a  further  supply  of 
artillery.  By  the  5th  of  February  the  whole  force,  four  thousand 
five  hundred,  which  I  contemplated  assembling  at  the  Rapids, 
would  have  been  there  ;  and  provisions  and  munitions  of  war  in 
abundance. 

I  should  have  been  enabled  to  advance  to  the  Rapids  again  this 
day  or  to-morrow,  but  for  a  most  unfortunate  rain,  which  has 
broken  up  the  roads  so  as  to  render  them  impassable  for  the  artil- 
lery, although  it  is  fixed  on  sleds.    The  whole  t.&ia  is  stopped 


ii  II 


ia& 


twenty-five  miles  from  this.    I  hsve  reason  to  believe  the  Misnii 
river  has  broken  up. 

I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  you  a  report  made  to  me  bjr  major 
ll'Clanehan,  the  senior  of  the  two  officers  who  esoaped  from  the 
action  at  the  river  Raisin.    It  requires  no  comment  trom  me. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  yours,  &c. 

WILLIAM  HENRY  HAR^SON. 

.  Bonourabtc.  James  Monroe, 

«ctiug  Becretar}'  of  Wnr. 


I 


I 
},        I 


^..     ft 


(iNCLOSURE.) 

CAMP  AT  FRENCH  TOWN, 

Jwiuaiy  30tb,  1813,  on  the  Itiver  RSishi. 
HR, 

In  obedience  to  your  order,  I  proceeded  on  the  march  with 
the  detachment  under  my  command  to  Presquile  on  the  17th 
instant,  where  the  reinforcement  under  the  command  of  lieuten- 
ant colonel  Allen  arrived  at  7  o'clock  P.  M.  On  the  18th,  as  I 
informed  you  it  was  my  determination,  we  set  out  for  the  camp  of 
tiie  enemy  at  this  village.  From  an  early  start,  t(»ether  with  the 
adivantaa;e  of  a  passage  on  the  ice  of  the  lake,  and  the  rapid  march 
we  made,  we  were  enabled  to  meet  them  by  3  o'clock  in  the 
evening. 

WIten  we  were  within  three  miles  of  the  enemv,  correo  j^fnr- 
■latioD  was  obtained  that  they  were  prepared^  to  receive  Vki. 
Having  arranged  the  troops  inthe  following  order— they  were 
directed  to  prepare  fur  action  t  the  right  wing  composed  of  the 
iBompanies'  commanded  by  captain  M'Cracken,  subalterns  lieu- 
tenant Williamson  and  ensign  M*Clary ;  captain  Bledsoe,  sub- 
nltems ensign  Morrison  (acting  as  lieutenant,)  and  ensign Chiner; 
captain  Matson,  subalterns  ensign  Nash  (acting  as  lieutenant)  and 
tosign  Caldwell.  The  left  wing  composed  of  the  companies 
commanded  by  captain  Hamilton,  subalterns  lieutenant  Moore 
and  ensign  Heron ;  captain  W' illiams,  subalterns  lieutenant 
Hi|^;ins  and  ensi^  Havraw ;  captain  Kelly,  subalterns  lieutenant 
M'Otiine  and  ensign  Wash.  The  centre  composed  of  the  companies 
commanded  by  captain  Hishtowen  (17th  United  States'  regiment,) 
^tnbalterns  lieutenant  Holden  and  ensign  Butler ;  captain  Collier, 
tubalterns  lieutenant  Story  and  ensign  Fleet ;  captain  Sebree,  sub- 
alterns lieutenant  Rule  and  ensign  Bowles.  Lieutenant  colonel 
Allen  commanding  the  right  wing,  maior  Orovet  the  left,  and 
major  Madison  the  centre.  Captain  Ballard  (acting  as  ini^<w) 
tiras  placed  in  the  advance  of  the  whole  with  two  companws,  one 
commanded  by  captain  Hickman,  subalterns  lieutenant  Chinn,  the 
other  by  captain  Claver,  subalterns  lieutenant  CiMnstock,  aidd  also 
captain  lames  with  his  sj^es.    In  this  order  we  proeeeded  within 


,<-^: 


m 


a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  enemy,  when  they  commenced  a  fire  oh 
ut  with  a  howitzer,  from  which  no  injury  was  received.  The  line 
of  battle  was  instantly  formed  and  the  whole  detachment  ordered 
to  move  on  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy  without  delay.  The 
river  at  this  time  being  between  us  and  the  enemy's  lines,  we  suc- 
ceeded well  in  crossina;  it,  though  the  ice  in  many  places  was  ex- 
tremely slippery.  Having  crossed  at  this  instant  the  long  roll  was 
beat,  the  signal  for  a  general  charge,  when  I  ordered  major 
Oroves  and  major  Madison  to  possess  themselves  of  the  houses 
and  picketing  about  which  the  enemy  had  chiefly  collected,  and 
where  they  had  placed  their  cannon.  This  order  was  executed 
in  a  few  minutes  ;  and  both  their  battalions  advanced  amidst  an 
incessant  shower  of  bullets :  neither  the  picketing  nor  the  fencing 
over  which  they  had  to  pass,  retarded  their  progress  to  success— 
the  enemy  were  dislodjged  in  that  quarter.  Meantime  colonel 
Allen  had  fallen  in  with  them  at  considerable  distance  to  the 
right,  when  after  pursuing  them  to  the  woods  (a  distance  of  more 
than  half  a  mile)  they  then  made  a  stand  with  their  howitzer  and 
•mall  arms  covered  by  a  chain  of  inclosed  lots  and  a  group  of  houses, 
having  in  their  rear  a  thick  brushy  wood  full  of  fallen  timber.  I 
directed  brigade  major  Garrard  (one  of  my  aids^  to  instruct 
majors  Groves  and  Madison  to  possess  themselves  of  the  wood  on 
the  left,  and  to  move  up  towaras  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  as 
fast  as  practicable,  to  divert  their  attention  from  colonel  Allen. 
At  the  moment  the  fire  commenced,  those  battalions  of  the  right 
wing  advanced.  The  enemy  were  soon  driven  from  the  fences  and 
houses,  and  our  troops  began  to  enter  the  wood  after  them.  The 
fight  now  became  close  and  extremely  hot  on  the  right  wing,  the 
enemy  concentrating  the  chief  of  both  kinds  to  force  the  line. 
They  were  still  however  kept  moving  in  retreat,  although  slowly, 
our  men  being  much  exhausted.  My  orders  to  majors  Groves  and 
Madison  were  executed  with  despatch  and  success,  which,  joined 
with  the  exertions  of  colonel  Allen's  line,  completely  routed  the 
enemy.  The  distance  they  retreated  before  us  was  not  less  than 
two  miles,  and  every  foot  of  the  way  under  a  continual  charge. 
The  battle  lasted  from  3  o'clock  till  dark.  The  detachment  was 
then  drawn  oiT  in  good  order,  and  encamped  at  the  place  which 
the  enemy  had  first  occupied,  being  the  best  for  a  camp  then  near 
us.  The  gallant  conduct  of  lieutenant  colonel  Allen,  during  every 
chat^  01  this  warmly  contested  action,  has  raised  for  him  no 
ordinary  military  merit.  Majors  Groves  and  Madison  deserve 
high  praise  for  their  undeviating  attention  to  orders  and  the 
energy  and  despatch  with  which  they  executed  them.  Captain 
Ballard  led  the  van  with  great  skill  and  bravery.  I  take  this 
opportunity  of  tendering  my  most  hearty  thanks  to  brigade  major 
Garrard,  captain  Smith  and  adjutant  M'Caller,  who  acted  as  my 
aids-de-camp,  for  the  great  support  they  gave  me  during  the  whole 
of  the  action.  The  company  oUicers  acted  with  ^eat  bravery.  It 
would  be  Almost  an  endless  task  to  particularize  all  who  have 

17 


iiiiii 


%' 


13d 

difitinguiiihed  themttelve* ;  fur  an  all  had  an  opportunity  so  to  do, 
theie  was  none  but  what  accepted  it.  There  wai  not  a  tolitary 
instance  of  a  retreat  on  our  part.  Both  officers  and  soldien  sup- 
ported the  "  double  cliaracter  of  Americans  and  Kentuckians.** 

I  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain  the  exact  force  of  the  enemy, 
but  from  tlie  best  information,  there  were  between  80  and  100 
British  troops,  and  about  400  Indians.    Major  Reynolds  was 

C resent,  and  it  is  understood,  commanded  the  whole.  The  num- 
er  of  their  killed  and  wounded  is  unknown,  we  having  left  the 
woods  after  dark,  so  tliat  not  only  during  the  battle,  but  after 
niffht,  they  had  an  opportunity  of  carrying  off  all,  except  those 
who  were  left  on  the  field  where  the  action  first  commenced,  say 
about  fifteen.  But  from  the  blood,  tlie  trails  of  bodies  dragged 
off,  and  the  ref  crts  from  the  people  who  live  near  this  place,  the 
slaughter  must  have  been  great.  One  Indian  and  two  of  the 
Canadian  militia  were  taken  prisoners.  8o  steady  and  composed 
were  our  men  in  this  assault,  that  while  the  enemy  were  Killed 
or  drawn  from  the  houses,  not  a  woman  or  child  was  hurt. 
Our  lo8&  in  killed  12,  and  55  wounded.    One  has  since  died. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
WILLIAM  LEWIS, 
Commdt.  of  tAe  detadimtnt. 
Urigadier  general  Winchcitter. 


.1 


",( 


(iNOLOSVRE.) 

CA}>IP  ON  CANYING  RIVER,  January  36th,  1813. 
SIR, 

As  the  senior  officer  who  escaped  from  the  disaster  which 
befell  our  troops  under  general  Winchester  on  the  22d  instant, 
it  becomes  my  duty  to  report  to  you  so  much  of  that  affair  as  comes 
within  my  knowledge. 

On  the  morning  of  the  19th  instant  I  marched  from  the  camp  at 
the  Rapids  of  the  Miami  with  the  detachment  under  colonel  Wells, 
consisting  of  about  300  men,  including  officers,  to  reinforce  colonel 
Lewis  at  tlie  river  Raisin.  Shortly  after  we  left  camp,  general 
Winchester  passed  us  in  a  carryall,  and  as  I  understand,  reached 
the  advanced  troops  that  night  Our  detachment  arrived  there 
about  3  o'clock,  P.  M.  on  the  20th,  except  captain  Morris's  com- 
pany. It  had  been  left  ta,  a  rear  guard  with  tne  baggage,  and  did 
not  join  us  at  all. 

We  found  the  detachment  under  lieutenant  colonel  Lewi» 
encamped  in  the  gardens  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  Raisin  at 
French  Town ;  not  in  any  regular  order,  and  apparentlyas  thej 
had  settled  down  in  the  nisht  after  the  battle  of  tlie  1 8th.  The  field 
officers  were  generally  in  nouses.  General  Winchester  had  taken 
up  his  quarters  in  the  house  of  Mr.  Navarre,  about  three  quarters 
ot  a  mile  from  the  troops,  and  on  tlie  opposite  side  of  the  river. 


Ml 


llie  land  wu  cleartocl  and  entirely  open,excent  fencing  and  tome 
buildingt  fur  near  a  mile  on  every  side  from  tne  encampment. 

The  detachment  under  colonel  Wells  encamped  below,  and  on 
the  right  of  the  other  troopH,  about  one  hundred  yard*  tram  them, 
in  ground  entirely  open ;  tnree  companiex  in  a  line  leadinj^  from  the 
river;  the  fourth  at  right  aiigleH  to  thone three,  and  leading  down 
the  river.  These  troops  had  about  ten  rounds  of  ammunition. 
They  paraded  and  called  their  rolls  as  usual ;  the  others  did  not. 
On  the  morning  of  the  21st  there  was  a  talk  of  moving,  and 
encamping  on  be^er  ground,  and  in  regular  order.  The  general 
and  some  of  the  field  officers  rode  out  to  view  ground  for  that 
purpose,  but  nothing  was  done. 

Our  spies  were  not  sent  out  to  my  knowledge  after  I  reached 
camp.  1  saw  them  on  the  2 1st,  and  understood  that  on  that 
evening  onlers  were  given  for  their  going  out  on  the  22d. 

The  fixed  ammunition,  which  was  sent  from  the  Rapids  on  the 
Slst,  was  taken  to  general  Winchester's  quarters  at  Mr.  Navarre's 
on  that  evening,     ft  remained  there  and  was  not  distributed. 

On  the  morning  of  the  21st,  colonel  Wells  returned  on  some 
business  to  the  camp  at  the  Rapids  and  left  the  detachment  under 
us  to  my  command.  He  advised  that  the  officers  and  men  should 
remain  at  their  posts  as  there  was  a  probability  of  an  attack. 

That  evening  a  rumour  reached  us  tliat  the  enemy  were  coming 
against  us  with  3  or  4,()00  men,  and  would  be  with  us  before  day. 
I  expected  that  the  field  officers  would  have  been  called  together, 
and  a  consultation  held  and  instructions  given  to  meet  the  event 
ihould  it  happen.  It  was  not  done.  I  directed  the  officers  under 
my  command  to  form  in  case  of  an  attack,  so  as  to  close  the  vacancy 
between  us  and  the  other  troops. 

At  day  break  on  the  next  morning,  and  during  the  beating  of 
revellie,  two  of  our  sentinels  fired  alarm  suns,  anaimmediately  the 
enemy  commenced  a  heay^  cannonade  TriMn  six  or  eight  pieces, 
with  Domb  shells  and  canister  shot,  followed  up  by  small  arms. 
The  troops  under  my  command,  and  apparently  throughout  the 
line,  were  soon  formed,  and  returned  the  fire  very  briskly. 

The  enemy  consisted  of  British  forces  in  the  centre,  as  exten- 
sive, and  apparently  in  closer  order  than  we  were ;  and  Indians 
on  both  flanks  extending  quite  to  our  rear. 

The  action  was  warmly  contested  for  near  half  an  hour,  at 
which  time  the  Indians  laid  under  cover  of  some  fencing,  and  a  band 
approached  so  near  as  to  gall  us  severely  in  the  flanks,  whilst  the 
British  kept  up  an  incessant  fire  in  front.  Our  troops  then  be^n 
to  ^ve  way ;  they  retreated  to  the  river.  I  then  for  the  first  time 
during  the  action  saw  general  Winchester.  He  directed  in  a 
voice  not  loud,  to  form  under  the  north  bank  of  the  river.  Lieu- 
tenant colonels  Lewis  and  Allen  were  present  and  assisted  in 
rallying  and  forming  the  men.  A  considerable  number  look  their 
poutiou,  and  some  of  them  renewed  their  fire,  but  it  was  not 


f 


.#•■ 


180 


1/ 


1 


long  kept,  as  the  Indians  were  still  on  our  flank  and  fast  gaining 
our  rear. 

A  second  attempt  was  made  to  form  the  troops  about  sixty 
jards  on  this  side  of  the  river  along  some  fences,  but  not  many 
of  them  formed.  A  third  effort  waH  made  in  some  woods  after 
crossing  a  branch,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  place  of  ac- 
tion. Colonel  Lewis  was  the  only  field  officer  I  saw  there.  We 
used  our  endeavours  to  rally  the  men,  but  they  could  not  then  be 
stopped ;  the  pursuit  was  then  very  hot.  After  continuing  with 
the  men  about  half  a  mile  further,  and  finding  nothing  more 
could  be  done,  I  took  captain  Graves,  who  was  wounded,  behind 
me,  and  my  son  by  the  hand,  and  left  the  road  and  reached  camp 
with  them. 

General  Winchester  and  lieutenant  colonel  Lewis  were  riding 
slowly  at  the  head  of  the  retreat  when  I  saw  them  rest ;  they 
could  to  all  appearance  easily  have  left  the  footmen  and  made 
tiieir  escape,  haa  they  intended  leaving  the  men. 

I  have  been  informed  from  sources  I  cannot  doubt,  that  frequent 
enquiries  were  made  for  ammunition  during  the  action.  The 
men  appeared  ardent  and  obedient  to  orders  whilst  it  lasted. 

When  the  first  attempt  was  made  to  rally  them,  they  could,  I 
have  no  doubt,  have  been  completely  formed,  had  the  place  af- 
forded an  advantageous  position.  It  did  not  appear  to  me  to 
possess  any.  ' 

During  the  retreat  our  men  kept  up  an  occasional  but  not  a 
regular  me. 

1  received  no  orders  from  the  general  during  the  action.  The 
order  to  form  under  the  river  bank  was  all  I  heard.  The  other 
orders  to  rally  probably  came  from  him. 

The  enemy  must  have  been  at  least  double  our  numbers.  Mangr 
think  much  beyond  it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
ELIJAH  M'CLANEHAN, 
Jlaj.  2d  B,  1st  Reg,  L,  V,  JH, 

General  Wm.  H.  Harrison. 


1)' 

:i  r 

t 


■^, 


MALDEN,  Januaiy  23d,  1813. 


SIR. 

A  detachment  from  the  left  wing  of  the  north-western  army, 
under  my  command,  at'  French  Town,  on  the  river  Raisin,  was 
attacked  on  the  :^2d  iqstant  by  a  force  greatly  superior  in  num- 
ber, aided  by  several \^eres  of  artillery.  The  action  commenced 
at  the  dawn  of  day  i'.ihe  picket  guards  were  driven  in,  and  a 
heavy  fire  opened  on  the  wnole  line,  by  which  a  part  thereof  were 
thrown  into  disorder ;  and,  being  orclered  to  retire  a  small  dis- 
tance, in  order  to  form  on  more  advantageous  ground,  I  found 
the  enemy  doubling  our  flank  with  force  and  rapidity. 


■I:  .  m 


*--.i 


UB 


A  destructive  fire  was  sustained  for  some  time ;  at  length 
borne  dow  by  numbers,  the  few  of  us  that  remained  with  the 
party  that  retired  from  the  lines,  submitted.  The  remainder  of 
our  force,  in  number  about  /our  hundred,  continued  to  defend 
themselves  with  great  gallantry,  in  an  unequal  contest,  against 
small  arms  and  artillery,  until  1  wa& brought  in  as  a  prisoner  to 
that  part  of  the  field  occupied  by  the  enemy. 

At  this  latter  place  I  understood  that  our  troops  were  defend- 
ing themselves  in  a  state  of  desperation,  and  was  infonned  by 
the  commanding  officer  of  the  enemy,  that  he  would  afford  them 
an  opportunity  of  surrendering  themselves  prisoners  of  war ;  to 
which  I  acceded.  I  was  the  more  ready  to  make  the  surrender, 
from  being  assured,  that  unless  done  quickly,  the  buildings  adja- 
cent would  be  immediately  set  on  fire,  and  that  no  responsibility 
would  be  taken  for  the  conduct  of  the  savages,  who  were  then 
assembled  in  great  numbers.  In  this  critical  situation,  being 
desirous  to  preserve  the  lives  of  a  number  of  our  brave  fellows 
who  still  held  out,  I  sent  a  flag  to  them,  and  agreed  with  the  com- 
manding officer  of  the  enemy,  that  they  should  be  surrendered 
prisoners  of  war  on  condition  of  being  protected  from  the  sava- 
ges, allowed  to  retain  their  private  property,  and  having  their 
side  arms  returned  to  them.  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  ascertain 
with  certainty  the  loss  we  l.ave  sustained  in  this  action,  from  the 
impracticability  of  knowing  the  number  who  have  made  their 
escape. 

Thirty-five  officers,  and  about  four  hundred  and  eighty-seven 
non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  are  prisoners  of  war.  A 
list  of  the  names  of  the  officers  is  herewith  enclosed  to  you. 
Our  loss  in  killed  is  considerable.  However  unfortunate  may 
seem  the  affair  of  yesterday,  I  am  flattered  by  a  belief,  that  no 
material  error  is  chargeable  upon  myself,  and  that  still  less  cen- 
sure is  deserved  by  the  troops  I  had  the  honour  of  commanding. 
With  the  exception  of  that  portion  of  our  force,  which  was 
thrown  into  disorder,  no  troops  have  ever  behaved  with  more 
determined  intrepidity. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JAMES  WINCHESTER, 

Brig.  Gfen.  U,  S.  army. 
Hon.  Secretary  of  War. 


\ 


SIR, 


WAR  DEPARTMENT,  Febmaiy  10th,  1813. 


I  have  the  President's  orders  to  communicate  to  you,  as  ex- 
peditiously as  possible,  the  outline  of  campaign  which  you  will 
immediately  institute  and  pursue  against  Upper  Canada. 

1st.  Four  thousand  troops  will  be  usseinbled  at  Sacket's  Harbor 
2d.  Three  thousand  will  be  brought  together  at  BuffiUoe  and 
its  vicinity* 


ittl  .i 


'J 


-'i!| 


184 

The  former  of  these  corps  will  be  embarked  and  traii&ported 
under  convoy  of  the  fleet  to  Kingston,  where  they  will  be  landed. 
Kingston,  its  garrison  and  the  British  ships  wintering  in  the 
harbor  of  that  place,  will  be  its  first  object.  Its  second  object 
will  be  York,  (the  capital  of  Upper  Canada)  the  stores  collec- 
ted and  the  two  frigates  building  there.  Its  third  object,  Forts 
George  and  Erie,  and  their  dependencies.  In  the  attainment  of 
this  last,  there  will  be  a  co-operation  between  the  two  corps.  The 
composition  of  these  will  be  as  follows : 


1st,  Bloomfield's  Brigade,     - 
2d,  Chandlers  do. 

Sd,  Philadelphia  detachment, 
4th,  Baltimore  do. 

5th,  Carlisle  do. 

6th,  Greenbush         do.    - 
7th,  Sacket's  Harbor  do. 


1,436 

1,044 

-    400 

300 

SOO 

400 

250 

"I         11' 

4,030 


8th,  Several  corps  at  Buffaloe  under  the  command 
of  colonel  Porter,  and  the  recruits  belonging  thereto      3,000 

7,030 


The  time  for  executing  the  enterprise  will  be  governed  by  the 
opening  of  lake  Ontario,  which  usually  takes  place  about  the  first 
01  Apnl. 

The  adjutant  general  has  orders  to  put  the  more  southern 
detachments  in  march  as  expeditiously  as  possible.  The  two 
brigades  on  lake  Champlain  you  will  move  so  as  to  give  them  full 
time  to  reach  their  place  of  destination  by  the  25th  of  March. 
The  route  by  Elizabeth  will,  1  think,  be  the  shortest  and  best 
They  will  be  replaced  by  some  new  raised  regiments  from  the 
east  You  will  put  into  vour  movements  as  much  privacy  at 
may  be  compatible  with  tneir  execution.  They  may  oe  masked 
by  reports  that  Sacket's  Harbor  w  in  danger,  and  that  the  princi- 

Ell  effort  will  be  made  on  the  Niagara  in  co-operation  with  general 
arrison.  As  the  mute  to  Sacket's  Harbor  and  to  Niagara,  is  for 
a  considerable  distance  the  same,  it  may  be  well  to  intimate, 
even  in  orders,  that  the  latter  is  the  destination  of  the  tw» 
brigades  now  at  lake  ChamplMn. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
JOHN  ARMSTRONG. 
"Major  Gen.  H.  Dearborn; 


135 


MASSACRE  AT  FRENCH  TOWN. 

MEADVILLB  (PENNSYLVANIA,)  February  20th,  1813. 

At  a  meeting  at  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  of  the  following  named 
•fficers  who  survived  the  battle  at  French  Town,  on  the  river 
Raisin,  viz :  Captains  Uriel  Sebree,  Samuel  L.  Williams,  Cole- 
man Collins,  and  Richard  Bledsoe ;  Lieutenants  Dyndon,  Corn- 
stock  and  Higgins ;  Ensigns  Thomas  M'Guine  and  Harrow  :— 
Captain  Williams  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  John  Beckley  (on^ 
of  the  volunteers)  appointed  secretary ;  when  the  following  reso- 
lutions were  introduced,  and  unanimously  adopted  : 

Whereas  it  is  deemed  necessary  that  our  fellow  citizens  should 
be  informed  of  the  late  perfidious  and  brutal  acts  of  the  British 

fovemment,  performed  by  their  officers  at  the  battle  of  French 
'own :  Resolvedt  That  the  following  statement  of  the  conduct  of 
the  British  officers,  be  published  to  our  countrymen  : 

That  when  general  Winchester  was  taken  prisoner  on  the  S2d 
of  January,  1813,  and  brought  before  colonel  Proctor,  the  British 
commander,  he  directed  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Americans 
(major  Madison)  to  surrender.  Major  Madison  refused  so  to  do, 
unless  those  surrendered  should  be  free  from  savage  massacre ; 
this  was  agreed  to ;  and  the  British  officers  pledged  themselvea 
to  leave  a  sufficient  force  with  the  wounded  to  protect  them,  and 
that  they  should  be  conveyed  to  Maiden  the  next  morning.  Thej 
likewise  promised  to  return  to  the  officers  their  arms  at  Maiden. 

Captain  N.  G.  F.  Hart,  inspector  to  the  north-western  army, , 
being  among  the  wounded,  it  was  proposed  by  his  friends,  that 
they  should  carry  him  with  them  :  this  they  were  prevented  from 
doing  by  captain  Elliott,*  a  British  officer,  and  an  old  acquain- 
tance of  captain  Hart's,  who  promised  captain  Hart  his  special 
protection— to  convey  him  in  his  own  sleigh  to  Maiden  that 
evening,  and  informing  him  that  he  should  be  welcome  to  remain 
at  his  house  there,  until  he  should  recover. 

These  were  the  premises  of  the  British,  let  our  countrymen  and 
the  world  see  how  they  were  fulfilled. 

At  the  break  of  day  rext  morning  the  savages  wre  suffered  ta 
commit  every  depredation  upon  our  wounded  which  they  pleased 
Jtn  indiscriminate  slaughter  took  place,  of  all  who  were  unable  to 
waUct  many  were  tonumawked,  and  many  were  burned  alive  in  the 
houses.  Among  the  unfortunate  thus  murdered,  it  is  with  regret 
and  sorrow  we  have  to  name  captains  Hart  and  Hi  :kman. 

The  arms  of  the  officers,  as  promised,  were  never  returned. 
Every  species  of  private  property  remaining  in  the  tents,  be- 
longing to  both  omcers  and  solifiers,  were  plundered  by  the 
savages. 

*  This  Elliott  »  nephev  to  the  uvage  colonel  ElKott ;  he  once  Iteld  a 
epDuniadon  in  the  United  States'  annj. 


r 


i>)t  ' 


m 


I ' 


ISfl 

Resolved,  That  in  consideration  of  the  high  respect  we  hold 
the  memories  of  both  officers  and  soldiers  who  were  thus  cruelly 
murdered,  by  permission  of  the  British  commander,  Froctor,  and 
his  subalterns,  and  those  who  gloriously  fell  in  thefeld,  defending 
the  only  free  gover.iment  on  earth,  that  each  of  us  wear  black 
crape  on  our  hats  and  left  arm  for  the  space  of  ninety  days. 

Resolved,  That  a  similar  procedure,  testifying  their  respect 
for  those  who  wsre  murderea  and  fell  on  that  day,  be  recom* 
mended  to  our  brother  officers  and  soldiers,  who  survived  it. 

SAMU£L  WILLIAMS,  Prm(2ent. 
JoHH  Bbckut,  Secretuy. 


SIR, 


NEAR  OGDENSBURG,  February  22d,  1813. 


I  have  only  time  to  inform  you  that  the  enemy,  with  a  very 
superior  force,  succeeded  in  taken  Ogdensburg  this  morning 
about  9  o'clock.  They  had  about  two  men  to  our  one,  exclusive 
of  Indians.  Numbers  of  the  enemy  are  dead  on  the  field.  Not 
more  than  twenty  of  our  men  killed  and  wounded.  Lieutenant 
Beard  is  among  the  latter. 

I  have  made  a  saving  retreat  of  about  eight  or  nine  miles.  I 
could  not  get  all  the  wounded  off.  We  have  killed  two  of  the 
enemy  to  one  of  ours  killed  by  them.  We  want  ammunition  and 
some  provisions  sent  on  to  us ;  also  sleighs  for  the  wounded. 

If  you  can  send  me  three  hundred  men  all  shall  be  retaken,  and 
Prescott  too,  or  I  will  lose  my  life  in  the  attempt.  I  shall  write 
you  more  particularly  to-day. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

BENJ.  FORSYTH 

General  Macomb. 


-V' 


ill 


MESSAGE  OF  MR.  MADISON. 
To  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States, 

I  lay  before  Congress  copies  of  a  proclamation  of  the'  British 
lieutenant-governor  of  the  island  of  Bermuda,  which  has  appeared 
under  circumstances  leaving .  no  doubt  of  its  authenticity.  It 
recites  a  BritisL  order  in  council  of  the  26th  of  October  last, 
providing  fo%t!"  supply  of  the  Bntish  West  Indies,  and  other 
colonial  possessions,  by  a  trade  under  special  licenses,  and  is 
accompanied  by  a  circular  instruction  to  the  colonial  governors, 
which  confines  licensed  importations  from  ports  of  the  United 
States  to  the  ports  of  the  eastern  states  exclusively. 

The  governnient  of  Great  Britain  had  already  introduced  into 
her  commerce,  during  the  war,  a  sysiem,  which,  at  once  violatiof 


137 

the  rights  of  other  nations,  and  resting  on  a  mass  of  forgery  and 
peijury  unknown  to  other  times,  was  making  an  unfortunate 
process  in  undermining  those  principles  of  morality  and  religion 
which  are  the  best  foundation  of  national  happiaess. 

The  policy  now  proclaimed  to  the  world,  introduces  into  her 
modes  of  warfare,  a  system  equally  distinguished  by  the  deformity 
of  its  features,  and  tiie  depravity  of  its  character ;  haying  for  its 
object  to  dissolye  the  ties  of  allegiance,  and  the  sentiments  of 
loyalty  in  tiie  adversary  nation,  and  to  reduce  and  separate  its 
eomponent  parts,  the  one  from  the  other. 

Tiie  general  tendency  of  these  demoralizing  and  disorganizing 
contrivances  will  be  reprobated  by  the  civilized  and  christian 
world ;  and  the  insulting  attempt  on  the  virtue,  the  honour,  the 
patriotism,  and  the  fidelity  of  our  brethren  of  the  eastern  states, 
will  not  fail  to  call  forth  aft  their  indignation  and  resentment,  and 
to  attach  more  and  more  all  the  states  to  that  happy  union  and 
constitution,  agunst  which  such  insidious  and  malignant  artifices 
are  directed. 

The  better  to  guard,  nevertheless,  against  the  effect  of  indivi- 
dual cupidity  and  treachery,  and  to  turn  the  corrupt  project  of 
the  enemy  against  himself,  I  recommend  to  the  consideration  of 
Congressi,  the  expediency  of  an  effectual  prohibition  of  any  trade 
whatever,  by  citizens  or  inhabitants  of  the  United  States,  under 
special  licenses,  whether  relating  to  persons  or  ports,  and  in  aid 
thereof  a  prohibition  of  exportations  from  the  United.  States  in 
foreiffB  bottoms,  few  of  which  ai*e  actually  employed,  whilst  mul- 
tiplying counterfeits  of  their  flags  and  papers,  are  covering  and 
encouraging  the  navieation  of  the  enemy. 

JAMES  MADISON. 

February  24th,  1813. 


mm 


Bin, 


SACKErrs  HARBOR,  March  3d,  1813. 
Having  been  informed  that  sir  George  Preyosthad  ai^oumed 


having  passed 

having  arrived  at  Kingston,  I  set  out  immediately  for  thisj^ace, 
having  ordered  the  force  at  Greenbush,  and  part  of  colonel  Pike's 
command,  in  sleighs  for  this  place.  I  arrived  here  in  fifty-two 
hours.  I  am  now  satisfied  from  such  informaUon  is  is  entitled  hi 
full  credit,  that  a  force  has  been  collected  from  Quebec,  Montreal, 
and  Upper  Canada,  of  from  six  to  ei^ttliousand  men,  at  Kingston, 
and  that  we  may  expect  an  attack  in  forty-eight  honrB  and  per- 
haps sooner. 

The  militia  have  been  called  in,  and  every  effort  wilt,  I  trust,  be 
made  to  defend  the  po»t ;  but  I  fear  neiUier  the  troops  from  Green- 

19 


laa 


bush  nor  Plattsburt;  will  arrive  in  season  to  afford  their  aid.  I 
should  feel  easier  if  colonel  Pike  should  arrive  in  season.  I  am  ia 
want  of  officers  of  experience.  1  have  sent  expresses  to  have 
them  hurried  on.  Commodore  Chitdncey  has  not  arrived ;  he. 
will  be  here  to-morrow.  The  armed  vessels  have  not  been  placed 
in  the  positions  intended  bj  the  commodore.  Our  total  force  maj 
be  estimated  at  nearly  3000  of  all  descriptions. 

^  Sir  George  Prevost  is  represented  to  be  determined  to  effect 
his  object  at  all  events,  and  will  undoubtedly  make  every  effort  ia 
his  power  for  the  {)urj)ose.  We  shall,  I  trust,  give  him  a  wana 
reception ;  but  if  his  rorce  is  such  as  is  expected,  and  should  make 
an  attack  before  our  troops  arrive  from  Greenbush  and  Plattsburg, 
at  Sackett's  Harbor,  the  result  mtiy  at  least  be  doubtful. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
H.  DEARBORN. 

Honourable  John  Armstrong. 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  FRANKLINTON,  March  12tl),  1813. 

sm. 

I  had  the  honour  to  inform  you  in  my  letter  of  the  25th  ulti- 
mo, that  I  had  organized  a  detachment  fo.  '*^e  purpose  of  striking 
a  blow  at  the  vessels  of  war  of  the  enem^  •  J^i^g  ^^^^  Maiden. 
Captain  Lan^jham,  with  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  in  thirty 
sleds  and  sleiehs,  set  out  from  L<ower  Sandusky  on  the  2d  instant, 
and  proceeded  as  far  as  Bass  island,  in  the  lake,  without  difficulty. 
Contrary,  however,  to  the  experience  of  former  rears,  the  lake 
beyond  was  found  to  be  entirety  open.  He  was  tnerefore  obliged 
to  return  to  the  Miami  bay,  where  I  met  hiin  with  a  detacl^ent 
that  was  intended  to  cover  ms  retreat.  Finding  that  the  original 
design  was  rendered  abortive,  I  had  detennined  upon  an  expedi- 
tion to  the  river  Raisin,  for  the  purpose  of  burying  the  remains  of 
our  uhlortunate  countrymen  wno  tell  on  the  22dJanuarv.  But, 
the  ice  was  so  weak  as  no  longer  to  afford  a  safe  passage  aJong  the 
edge  of  the  lake.  Our  horses  were  constantly  breaking  through, 
and  one  man  was  unfortunately  drowned .  I  therefore  returned  to 
camp  with  the  whole  detachment,  and  on  the  7th  instant  set  out 
for  this  place.  I  left  ^neral  Leftwich  in  command  at  camp  M^igs* 
Indeed  the  cause  which  prevented  the  advance  of  my  detachment 
to  the  river  Raisin,  would  also  prevent  the  enemy  from  L|«proaching 
the  Rapids,  at  least  with  artillery. 

I  have  the  hfnour  to  enclose  herewith  a  plan  of  camp  Meigs. 
The  redoubt  marked  F.  is  yet  to  be  erected. 

Colonel  Morrison  has  detek-mined  to  resign  his  aj^intmeni  at 
deputy  quarter  m&ster  general.  There  is  not  a  man  in  ^e  United 
States  who  is,  in  my  opinion,  capuble  of  discharging  the  duties  of 
that  department  with  as  much  advantage  to  the  public  as  himself. 
He  is  lost  to  the  service  in  consequence  of  the  singular  arrange- 


139 

ment  which  was  made  by  the  late  secretary  of  war,  of  sendinar  on 
another  deputy  quarter  master  general  with  equal  powers  to  those 
Tested  in  colonel  Morrison.  Since  the  departure  of  captain  Piatt, 
Ihave  ufled  my  utmost  endeavours  to  prevail  upon  colonel  Morrison 
to  continue  in  service,  but  he  perseveres  in  nis  determination  to 
retire  at  the  end  of  this  month.  A  report  has  reached  us  this 
morning  that  general  Lewis  is  appointed  a  major  general.  Should 
this  be  the  case,  I  am  convincen  that  the  interets  of  our  country 
#ould  be  greatly  promoted  by  the  appointment  of  colonel  Morrison 
to  succeed  him.  The  duties  of  quarter  master  to  the  north  west- 
ern army,  do  not  require  so  much  military  information  as  is  neces- 
sary for  the  officer  at  the  head  of  that  department  in  the  other 
sections  of  the  union.  An  intimate  knowledge  of  the  western 
country  and  its  resources,  with  integrity  antl  activi^,  are  the 
essential  qualifications.  These  are  possessed  by  John  C.  Bartlett, 
esq.  acting  at  present  as  field  commissary  in  an  eminent  degree. 
He  would  possess  moreover  the  confidence  of  the  western  country, 
particularly  of  Kentucky. 

I  have  not  yet  had  the  honouY  to  receive  any  communication 
from  you  upon  the  subject  of  the  organization  of  the  force  for  the 
ensuing  campaign. 

With  great  respect,  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

%ILLIAM  HENRY  tIARRISpN. 
^  Tlie  Secretaiy  of  War. 


1 

^ 

• 

V 

'■'    ''. 

ant, 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  CHIUCOTHE,  March  irth,  1813. 


If  i' 


The  known  candour  of  your  charact^^r  is  a  suffieient  security 
for  my  receiving  your  pardon  for  the  liberty  I  take  in  nuking 
objections  to  the  plan  of  operationj  communicated  in  your  letter 
ofthe  5th  instant.    If  there  is  a  posij^ve  certainty  of  our  getting 
the  command  of  lake  Erie,  and  naving  a  regular  force  of  three 
thouMtnd  five  hundred,  or  even  three  thousand,  well  disciplined 
m^n,  the  proposed  plan  of  setting  out  from  Cleveland,  and  land- 
ing on  the  northern  shore  below  Maiden,  would  perhaps  be  the 
one  by  which  that  place  and  its  dependencies  could  be  most 
easily  reduced.    I  am  unacq^aainted  with  the  extent  ofthe  prepa- 
rations tiiat  ai-e  making  to  obtain  the  naval  superiority  on  lake 
Brie ;  but,  should  they  fail,  and  the  troops  be  assembled  at  Cleve- 
land, it  would  be  difficult  to  get  again  upon  the  wsper  track  for 
makine  the  attack  round  the  head  of  the  lake,  ^e  attempt  to 
cross  the  lake  from  Cleveland  should  not  be  made  with  any  other 
than  well  disciplined  troops.    A  comparatively  smallef  number 
of  men  of  this  description  could  effect  the  object,  and  for  those 
^e  meahs  of  conveyance  might  be  obtained ;  but  the  means  of 
transportihg  such  an  army  as  would  be  required  olT  militia,  m 
undlsciplii^^  regulars,  could  not  be  procured.    I  can  see  no 


»>  •  * 


t  u , 


: 


I 


.-  i 


14D 

reason  why  Cleveland  should  be  preferred  as  the  point  of  em- 
barkation for  the  troops,  or  the  deposit  for  the  provisions  and 
stores.  These  are  already  accumulated  at  the  Rapids  of  Miami, 
or  in  situations  easily  to  be  sent  thither,  to  an  amount  nearly 
equal  to  the  consumption  of  a  protracted  campaign.  Althouga 
the  expense  and  difficulty  of  transporting  the  previsions,  artillenrt 
and  stores  for  an  army,  round  the  head  of  the  lake,  would  be 
very  considerable,  the  lake  beinff  possessed  by  our  ships,  and  the 
heavy  bamge  taken  in  boats  along  the  mai^n,  the  troops  would 
find  na  difficulty  in  the  land  route.  The  force  contemplated  in 
your  ietter  is,  in  iny  opinion,  not  sufficient  to  secure  success. 
Admitting  that  the  whole  should  be  raised  by  the  time  pointed 
out,  they  would  be  very  little  superior  to  militia;  the  officers 
having/with  scarcely  an  exception,  to  learn  their  duty  before  they 
could  instruct  their  men ;  we  have,  therefore,  no  alternative  but 
to  make  up  by  numbers  the  deficiency  in  discipline. 

I  am  well  aware  of  the  intolerable  expense  which  attends 
the  employment  of  a  larji^e  militia  force.    We  are  now,  however, 
in  a  situation  to  avoid  tuose  errors,  which  made  that  of  the  last 
campaign  so  peculiarly  heavy.    Our  supplies  are  procured,  and 
so  deposited,  that  the  period  for  the  march  of  the  army  from  the 
advanced  piosts  can  be  ascertained  to  an  hour,  and  of  course  the 
troops  need  not  be  called  out  until  the  moment  they  are  to  act. 
Experience  has  convinced  me  that  militia  are  more  efficient  in 
the  early,  than  in  the  latter  part  of  their  service.    Upon  the 
whole,  it  is  ihy  decided  opinion  that  the  Rapids  of  Miami  should 
be  the  point  of  rendezvous  for  the  troops,  as  well  as  the  principal 
depot ;  indeed  it  must  necessaiily  be  the  first  depoRit/-~<the  pro- 
visions of  the  army  are  so  placed,  that  they  can  oe  taken  to  the 
lake  in  no  other  way.    The  artillery  and  a  considerable  stt|^ly  of 
ammunition  are  already  there.    Boats  and  perogues  have  been 
built  in  considerable  numbers  on  the  Auglaize  and  St  Mary's  ri-^ 
vers ;  and'every  exertion  is  now  making  to  increase  them/intended 
for  tiie  double  purpose  of  taking  down  the  provisions  to  the  Re* 
pids,  and  for  coasting  the  lake  with  the  baggage  of  the  army  v 
its  advance.    I  had  calculated  on  being  able  pi^ally  to  use  this 
mode  (rf*  transportation,  even  if  the  enemy  should  continue  Ids 
naval  superionty  on  the  lake ;  but  with  this  advantage  on  our  side* 
the  whole  baggage  of  the  army  could  be  safely  and  expeditiously 
carried  dong  the  coast  in  the  boats  and  pen^es,  which  could 
be  taken  into  the  strait  to  transport  the  army  to  the  Canada  shore. 
'    As  I  have  before  observed,  the  army,  unincu  sabered  with  heavy 
bogjiage,  woiild  find  no  difficulty  in  marching  round  the  lake  at 
any  season,  but  what  the  enemy  would  create,  and  we  have  the 
xafUMi  of  subsisting  a  force  Hiat  would  be  irresistiUei 

The  ejections  to  proceeding  this  way,  stated  m  my  letter  to 
colonel  Menroe,  arose  from  the  time  that  would  be  necessary  to 
construct  boats  after  we  should  have  arrived  at  ti»e  strait;  but 
this  objection  is  entirely  obviated,  by  our  obtMiUDg  the  comaumd 


SIR, 


Ml 

of  the  lake,  as  the  boats  and  peroffues  built  upon  the  Miami  will 
answer  the  purpose.  With  regard  to  the  quantum  of  force,  mj 
opinion  is,  that  not  only  the  regular  troops,  designated  in  your  let- 
ter, but  a  lai^  auxiliary  corps  of  mflit*^  should  be  employed. 
'J'he  only  objection  arises  from  the  expert  ..  <iness  of  troops  of  that 
description.  This,  however,  could  not  be  an  object,  consider- 
ing the  very  short  time  that  it  would  be  necessary  to  employ  them. 
Let  the  moment  for  the  commencement  of  the  march  from  the 
Sapids  be  fixed,  and  the  militia  might  be  taken  to  that  point, 
proceed  and  accomplish  the  object,  and  return  home  in  tw9 
months. 

Amongst  the  reasons  which  make  it  necessary  to  employ  a  larao 
force,  I  am  sorry  to  mention  the  dismay  and  disinclination  to  thtt 
service  which  appears  to  prevail  in  the  western  country.  Numbers 
must  give  that  confidence  which  ought  to  be  produced  by  con- 
scious valour  and  intrepidity,  which  never  existed  in  an;^  army  in  a 
Mporior  degi-ee,  than  amongst  the  ff^vt  part  of  the  militia  which 
were  with  me  through  the  winter.  The  new  drafts  from  this  state 
are  entirely  of  another  character,  and  are  not  to  be  depended  upon.. 
I  have  no  doubt,  however,  but  a  sufficient  number  of  good  men 
can  be  procured,  and  should  they  be  allowed  to  serve  on  holrse- 
back,  Kentucky  would  furnish  some  renments  that  woidd  not  bo 
inferior  to  those  that  fought  at  the  river  Raisin^  and  they  were,  ift 
my  opinion,  supeiior  to  any  militia  that  ever  took  the  field  io. 
modern  times.  Eig^t  troops  of  cavalry  have  been  formed  in 
Kentucky  to  offer  me  their  service;  and  several  of  them  were 
intended  for  twelve  month's  volnnteen.  Governor  Shelby  hat 
some  thottriit  of  taking  the  field  in  person — a  number  of  good 
men*  will  f^low  him.  He  thinks  that  an  address  from  me  to  the 
people  of  the  state  would  produce  a  good  effect.  I  have  strong 
objections  to  those  addresses,  but  will  nevertheless  have  recourie 
to  one,  should  other  means  fail  of  brinipng  finward  a  sufficient 
force.  Every  exertion  shall,  in  the  mean  time,  be  used  to  forward 
the  recruitinig  service ;  for  a  few  wedcs  I  think  that  my  servicei 
irottld  be  more  useful  in  that,  than  any  other  employment. 

*      ■  I  have  the  honour  to  be  youra,  %m, 

^-*'  WILLIAM  HENRY  HARRISON. 

4i*   Hon.  Mm  Amstrong. 


Ifi^'' 

1 

II 

V  fe^iT^M  UNITED  STATES*  SHIP  HORNET, 

Holmes'  Hole,  Blg«h  19tl>,  ISlSt^f 

SIR, 

I  have  the  h<manr  to  inform  you  of  the  arrival,  at  this  pwt, 
of  the  United  States'  ship  Hornet,  under  my  command,  from  a 
cruise  vt  145  days,  and  to  state  to  you,  that  after  commodore 
Bainbridge  left  the  coast  of  Brazils,  (on  the  6th  <^  January  last,) 
^  Hornet  continued  off  ^e  harbour  of  St.  Salvador,  Uoekading 


148 


If 


V 


the  Bonne  Citoyenne  until  the  24th,  when  the  Montagu  T4  hove 
in  night  and  chatted  me  intu  the  hariraur ;  but  niffht  coming  on,  I 
wore  and  stood  to  the  Muthward.  Knowing;  that  the  had  left 
Rio  Janeiro  for  the  express  purpose  of  relieving  the  Bonne  Cito- 
yenne and  the  paclcet,  (whicn  I  had  also  blockaded  for  fourteen 
days,  and  obliged  her  to  send  her  mail  to  Rio,  in  a  Portuguese 
smack,)  I  jud^d  it  most  pruuent  to  change mjr  cruisingground, 
and  stood  to  the  eastward,  v^th  the  view  of  cruising  offrernam- 
buco^— and  on  the  4th  day  of  February,  captured  the  English  brig 
ReHolution,  from  Rio  Janeiro,  bound  to  Monmham,  with  coffee, 
jerked  beef,  flour,  fustic  and  butter,  and  about  S5,000  dollars  in 
specie.  As  the  brig  sailed  dull,  and  could  ill  spare  hands  to  man 
her,  I  took  out  the  money  and  set  her  on  fire.  I  then  run  down 
the  coast  for  Moranham,  and  cruised  there  a  short  time ;  from 
thence  ran  off  Surrinam.  After  cruising  off  that  coast  from  the 
5th  to  the  22d  of  February,*  without  meeting  a  vessel,  I  stood  for 
Demarara,  with  an  intention,  should  I  not  be  fortunate  on  that 
•tation,  to  run  through  the  West  Indies,  on  my  way  to  the  United 
States.  But  on  the  morning  of  the  24th,  I  discovered  a  brig  to 
leewuil,  to  which  I  gave  chase ;  ran  into  quarter  less  four,  and 
not  having  a  pilot,  was  obliged  to  haul  off— the  fort  at  the  entrance 
of  Damarara  rivei  at  this  time  bearing  south  west,  distance  about 
24  leagues.  Previously  to  giving  up  the  chase,  I  discovered  a 
vessel  at  anchor  without  the  bar,  witn  English  colours  flying,  ap- 
parently a  bris  of  war.  In  beating  round  Corobano  bank,  in  or- 
der to  get  at  ner,  at  half  past  3  P.  M.  I  discovered  another  sail 
on  my  weather  quart  tr,  edging  down  for  us.  At  4  20  minutes  she 
hoisted  English  colours,  at  which  time  we  discovered  her  to  be  a 
lar^e  man  of  war  brig ;— beat  to  quarters,  and  cleared  ship  for 
action ;  kept  close  by  the  wind,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  get  tiie 
weather  j^age.  At  5^  10  minutes,  finding  I  could  wea^erme  ene- 
my, I  hoisted  American  colours,  and  tacked.  At  9  20  minutes, 
in  passing  each  other,  exchanged  broadsides  within  half  pistol 
aho^  Observing  tiie  enemy  in  the  act  of  wearing,  I  bore  up, 
received  his  starboard  broadside,  ran  him  close  on  Board  on  mt 
starboM^  quarter,  and  kept  up  such  a  heavy  and  well  directed 
fan,  tiiat  in  less  than  fifteen  minutes  he  surrendered,  being  lite- 
rally cut  to  pieces,  and  hoisted  an  ensign,  union  down,  from  his 
fore  rigging,  as  a  signal  of  distress.  Shortly  after,  his  main-mast 
went  by  the  board :— ndespatched  lieutenant  Shubrick  on  board, 
who  soon  returned  with  her  first  lieutenant,  who  reported  her  to 
be  his  Britannic  majesty's  late  brig  Peacock,  commanded  by  cap- 
tain William  Peake,  who  fell  in  the  latter  part  of  the  action— that 
a  number  of  her  crew  were  -killed  and  wounded,  and  that  she  was 
sinking  fast,  having  then  nx  feet  of  water  in  her  hold  :^-des- 
jjatched  the  boats  immediately  for  the  wounded,  and  brought  both 
vessels  to  anchor.  Such  shot  holes  as  could  be  got  at,  were  then 
plugged  i  her  guns  ^rown  ovwboard,  and  every  possible  exertion 
usMto  keep  her  afloat,  uatil  the  prisoners  could  be  removed,  by 


143 


pumping  and  bailing,  but  withput  effect,  and  she  unfortunately 
sunk  in  five  und  a  halt  fathoms  waterH,  carr^ine  duun  thirteen  of 
her  crew,  and  three  ul  my  brave  fellows,  viz :  John  Hart,  Joseph 
Williams,  and  Hannibal  Boyd.  Lieutenant  Conner,  midshipman 
Cooper,  and  the  remainder  of  the  Hornet's  crew,  employed  in 
reuovinff  the  prisoners,  with  difficulty  saved  themselves  by  jump- 
ing in  a  Doat  uad  was  lyin^  on  her  bows  as  she  went  down.  Four 
men,  of  the  thirteen  mentioned,  were  so  fortunate  as  to  gain  th» 
foretop,  and  were  afterwards  taken  oft'  by  the  boats.  Previous  to 
her  going  down,  four  of  her  men  took  to  her  stern  boat,  which  had 
been  much  damaoed  during  the  action,  which  I  hope  reached  the 
shore  in  safety :  but  from  the  heavy  sea  running  at  the  time,  the 
shattered  state  of  tlie  boat,  and  the  difficulty  of  landing  on  the 
coast,  I  much  fear  they  were  lost.  1  have  not  been  able  to  ascer- 
tain from  her  officers  the  exact  number  killed.  Captain  Peake 
and  four  men  were  found  dead  on  board.  The  master,  one  mid- 
shipman, carpenter,  and  captain's  clerk,  and  twenty-nine  seamen 
were  wounded,  most  of  them  very  severely,  three  of  whom  died 
of  their  wounds  after  being  removed,  and  nine  drowned.  Our 
loss  was  trifling  in  comparison.  John  Place,  killed ;  Samuel 
Coulian  and  Joseph  Dalrymple,  slightly  wounded ;  George  Coffin 
and  Lewis  Todd,  severely  mirnt  by  the  explosion  of  a  cartridge. 
Todd  survived  only  a  few  days.  Our  rigging  and  sails  were  much 
cut;  one  shot  throu..;h  the  fore-mast,  and  the  bowsprit  slightly 
injured.  Our  hull  received  little  or  no  damaf^.  At  the  time  the 
Peacock  was  brouj^ht  to  action,  the  L'Espeigle,  (the  brig;  men- 
tioned above  aa  being  at  anchor)  mounting  sixteen  two  and  thirty 
pound  carronades,  and  two  long  nines,  lay  about  six  miles  in  shore, 
and  could  plainly  see  the  whole  of  the  action.  A|^reheniive  that 
she  would  beat  out  to  ii,e  aitsistance  of  her  consof  t,  such  exertions 
were  made  by  my  officers  and  crew  in  repairing  damaaes,  &c. 
that  by  9  o'clock  uie  boats  were  stowed,  a  new  set  of  sails  bent, 
and  toe  ship  completely  ready  for  action.  At  2  A.  M.  got  undfer 
weu^,  and  stood  by  the  wind  to  the  northward  and  westward, 
uniMr  easy  sail. 

On  mustering  next  morning,  found  we  had  277  souls  on  board, 
including  the  crew  of  the  American  br%  Hunter,  of  Portland, 
taken  a  few  days  before  1^  the  Peacock.  And,  as  we  had  been 
on  two-thicds  allowance  of  provisions  for  some  time,  and  had  but 
S,400  gallons  of  water  on  board,  '.  reduced  the  allowance  to  three 

fints  a  roan,  and  determined  to  make  the  best  of  my  way  to  the 
Fnitad  States. 

The  Peacock  was  deservedly  styled  one  of  the  finest  vessels 
of  her  class  in  the  British  navy,  probably  about  the  tonna^  of 
the  Hornet.  Her  beam  was  greater  by  five  inches ;  bat  her  ex- 
treme length  not-  so  great  by  four  feet.  She  mounted  sixteen 
tweuty-four  pound  carronades,  two  long  nines,  one  twelve  pound 
carronade  on  her  top-gallant-forecastle,  as  a  shifting  gun,  and  one 
four  or  six  pounder,  and  two  swivels  mounted  aft.    1  find  by  her 


^u 


^mrMr  Mil,  that  li«r«rew  eomUtml  of  194  VMli,  ftMir  of  whrai 
irere  •Iwent  in  a  prise. 

The  oeol  and  determinCNl  owidnct  of  m j  oAoen  and  crew  dv- 

Inc  the  aetkm,  and  Iheir  ahniDeC  aneianipled  eiertloBt  aftinraidi, 

•irtitle  Hiem  tv  Ay  wannest  aekttV#hNlgnients,  md  lhi|faive 

' '  meat  mwawr  ta  reMinnienu  them  taine  ttailce  or  MffiiiniilMntt* 

^  mmj  Hm  iMHtposHlon  af  lieutenant  %mncrt,  f  vriailMli^  of 

t-'tfie  Wvlciaa  of  an  eteettent  officer  t  had  ho  bMii  iMe  wMid 

HwUMk?  I  amconident  hit  exertiona  wotfld  not  have  beilf  tor- 

iiaaaad  bt  anj  oiie  on  iRoard.    I  ahould  bi  dlilf  injuiClie  W  Ihe 

'ne^ita  orHodfenant  fHrabriclt»  «ndaotin|lientillin»  Ctfnni^  ind 

Kowton,  were  I  not  to  r^oomnend  Ihtoi 'nkrflHMairtjr  Wjwt  no- 

a&i.  •  fde«tMiant  Shttb'ieic  waainthe  adlen*  With  ^  dwrtrriere 

'iin#la!^.    Captain  Hnll  and  comnodore  nniihridl|a  cVn  tlar 

teatteotff  aft  to  hia  coolneei  and  good  condncion  bdOi  oeilaionB. 

With 'the  greataat  rofpect,  I  renufio,  Itc. 

JAMBS  LAWIUBNCK. 


y 


■■mtsi*i'm' 


fWfk^ 


Beoretnj  of  the  Nctjr* 


P.  t^  At  the  oommencement  of  the  action  mj  tailing  oMtfter 
•'  taAwtmmk  men  were  abaent  in  a  prise»  and  lieutenant  Stewart  and 
^•aixHBMB  OB  tho  aiok  Uat. 


'1, 
I 


'i 


Wr     vWm   ,  BRIGADE  ^DEIt 

H»»  ^«ieCKimilASBOB,  April  3«h,  1813. 

wdMftiiB  ahidi  tain  fAiariOB  tiie 

» an^ai  yataylMaliglrt twopbyfcwaadii ftnrplatBona, i<Mai he irat 

ukBm&L'^J^wm^tdnm^mmM  din  taw  ii  from  tho'ahore,  and 

'  fcmithe«haMiti>eoverth#landMigof  thalwopa.    Thaif  will  not 

'  4b»,  wniaaialtay  idiai.o!»at  tiia>appwach  of  a  body  of  #0  enemy, 
bi^^aiitaaab»^i'i*aiimi"^  ijiiy  pii  aim  who  awy bifaaaiiigi  and 
<>^^ii.ftagtba>iiganaiil/  ^  limy  wP^M  Mlawed  by  #•  #Mim«ital 
'-<-  pMMiMMat^mia  ■lai  avigaiMi  wim  iww  picBaooi  mmaBnpwni^nry, 
^'•■a  OA  H^mriahtmtA  4«e-«on  4h»laMMfi  e«««i«t  bt" HfOir'mnt- 
■*im»m  mti^A^matA  ^HauimiBifti  afiltamw,  «f  ttt  Iflb^  tnd 
«« ltlii7i«lbiii"|»'»^hett  wtt<«o  luiied  #a  dnwt  flatawm  af  tiie 
Hiiwai'iiaiai^im iiaibriMdai mider maiii  Sanui  4hilM«l|oir Baatia, 
*t il0kmmi/k^%rmm0'mmui%y  Ml  aiwii  JlJlfctHij.;  then 

mall  «w^  in 

,  tt^fW  ba  in 

4ha  iiMi»ti|^<ird>»r  «ittt  IM%  UNif^MHMtailiir,  llltti  fMtoer 

front  and  ianli  faaada  f  im  lagiBMiibi  el  HHHlrat  blr^p^lRth 

their  paacat)  thrtt  ^^aa  pialatna  af  Miarvai  aaiilar  ifi«Slia%  train 


ftiM^iRm|taMaMtai^'iiii^~|iiiMNMi<^  WliMif-' 


*        Ma 

•f  artilleiy;  volunteer  corps;  twentv-firit  regiment;  etchcoiptt 
tending  out  proper  flanic -guards.  When  tiie  enemy  shall  be  dis- 
covered in  front,  the  riflemen  will  form  the  chain,  and  maintain 
their  ground,  until  they  have  the  siunul  (the  preparative)  or  receive 
orders  to  retire,  at  which  thejr  will  retreat  witn  the  greatest  velo- 
city, and  form  eoually  on  the  two  flanks  of  the  regiments  of  the 
first  brigade,  and  then  renew  their  tire.  The  three  reserve  pla* 
toons  or  this  line  will  form  under  the  ordero  of  major  Swan,  one 
hundred  yards  in  the  rear  of  the  colours,  ready  to  support  an^ 
part  which  may  show  an  unsteady  countenance.  Major  Eustis 
and  his  train  will  form  in  the  rear  of  this  reserve,  ready  to  act 
where  circumstances  mav  dictate. 

The  second  line  will  be  composed  of  the  21  at  infantry,  in  six 
platoons,  flanked  bv  colonel  M'Clure's  volunteers,  equally  divided, 
as  light  troops.    The  whole  under  the  orders  of  colonel  Ripley. 

It  is  expected  that  every  corps  will  be  mindful  of  the  honour  of 
the  American  anna,  and  the  disgraces  which  have  recently  tarnish- 
ed our  arms ;  ^nd  endeavour,  by  a  cool  and  determined  discharge 
of  their  dutv,  to  support  the  one,  and  wipe  off  the  other.  The 
riflemen  in  front  will  maintain  their  ground  at  all  hazards,  until 
ordered  to  retire,  as  will  every  corps  of  the  armi/.  With  an  as- 
surance of  being  duly  supported,  should  the  commanding  general 
find  it  prudent  to  withdraw  the  front  line,  he  will  give  orders  to 
retire  by  the  heads  of  platoons,  covered  by  the  riflemen ;  and  the 
second  line  will  advance  by  the  heads  of  platoons,  pass  the  inter- 
vals, and  form  the  line ;  call  in  the  light  troops,  and  renew  tiie 
action :  but  the  general  may  find  it  proper  to  bring  up  the  second 
line,  on  one  or  both  flanks,  to  charge  in  columns,  or  perform  a  variety 
of  manouvres  which  it  would  be  impuKHible  to  foresee.  But  as  a 
general  rule,  whatever  may  be  tli«  directions  of  line  at  the  com- 
mencement of  tlie  action,  the  corps  will  form  as  before  directed. 
If  they  then  advance  in  Um«.  it  mav  be  in  parallel  escheUms  of 
platoons,  or  otlierwise,  asi  the  grountf  or  circumstances  may  dic- 
tate. 

No  man  will  load  until  ordered,  except  the  light  troops  in  firont, 
until  within  a  short  distance  of  the  enemy,  anuthen  charge  bayo- 
nets ;  thus  letting  the  enemy  see,  that  we  can  meet  them  wi^ 
their  own  weapons.  Any  man  firing,  or  quitting  hi»  post,  tpithout 
orderSt  mtist  w  put  to  instant  death,  as  an  example  may  be  neces' 
sary.  Platoon  officers  will  pay  the  greatest  attention  to  the  cool- 
rnss  and  aim  of  their  men  in  the  fire ;  their  regularity  and  dress* 
ing  in  the  charge.  The  field  officers  will  watcn  over  the  conduct 
qfthe  whole.  Courage  and  bravery  in  the  field  do  not  more  dis- 
tinguish the  soldier,  than  humanity  after  victory ;  and  whatever 
examples  the  savage  allies  of  our  enemies  mar  have  given  us,  the 
general  confident^  hopes,  that  the  blood  of  an  unresisting  or 
yielding  enemy,  will  never  stain  the  weapons  of  the  soMiav  ojhift 
column, 

19 


..■f^'     Wd 


*f 


l^ 


Mr 


V. 


If 


The  unoffending  citizens  of  Canada  are  many  of  them  our  own 
countrymen,  and  the  poor  Canadians  hove  been  forced  into  the 
tirar.  Their  property,  therefore,  must  be  held  sacred ;  and  any 
soldier  who  shall  so  far  neelect  tiie  honour  of  his  profession  as  to 
be  ^ilty  of  plundering  the  inhabitants,  shall,  if  convicted,  be 
pumshed  with  death.  But  the  commanding  ^neral  assures  the 
troops,  that  should  they  capture  a  large  quantity  of  public  stores, 
he  will  use  his  best  endeavours  to  procure  them  a  reward  from  his 
government. 

This  order  shall  be  read  at  the  head  of  each  corps,  and  every 
field  officer  shall  carry  a  copy,  in  order  that  he  may  at  any  mo- 
ment refer  to  it ;  and  give  explanations  to  his  subordinates. 

All  those  found  in  arms  in  tne  enemy's  country,  shall  be  treated 
as  enemies ;  but  those  who  are  peaceably  following  the  pursuits 
of  their  various  vocations,  frienos— and  their  pro^rty  respect- 
ed. 

By  order  of  the  brigadier  general, 

Z.  M.  PIKE. 

CaABtBS  G.  JOHRB, 

Miistant  aid-de-camp. 


f 


t  ft 


UNITED  STATES'  SHIP  MADISON, 

at  anchor  off  Yorl^  Upper  Canada,  April  28th,  1813. 

SIR, 

Agreeably  to  your  instructions  and  arrangements  with  major 
general  Dearborn,  I  took  on  board  the  squadron  under  my  com- 
mand, the  general  and  suite,  and  about  1700  troops,  and  lift 
Sackett's  Harbor  on  the  25th  instant  for  this  place.  We  arrived 
here  yesterday  morning,  and  took  a  position  aoout  one  mile  south 
and  westward  of  the  enemy's  principal  fort,  and  as  near  the  shore 
as  we  could,  with  safety  to  the  vessels.  Tlie  place  fixed  upon  by 
the  major  general  and  myself  for  landing  the  troops,  was  the  site 
of  the  old  French  fort  larento. 

The  debarkation  commenced  about  8  o'clock  A.  M.  and  was 
completed  about  ten.  The  wind  blowing  heavy  from  the  east- 
wara,  the  boats  fell  to  leeward  of  the  position  fixed  upon,  and 
were,  in  consequence,  exposed  to  a  galling  fire  of  the  enemy,  who 
had  taken  a  position  in  a  thick  wood  near  where  the  first  troops 
landed ;  however,  the  cool  intrepidity  of  the  facers  and  men 
overcame  every  distacle.  Their  attack  upon  the  enemy  was  so  \ 
vigorous,  that  ne  fled  in  every  direction,  leaving  a  great  many  <rf' 
his  killed  and  wounded  upon  the  field.  As  soon  as  the  troops 
were  landed,  I  directed  the  schooners  to  take  a  position  near  the 
forts,  in  order  that  the  attack  on  them  by  the  army  and  navy  roig^t 
be  simultaneous.  The  schooners  were  oblig^  to  beat  up  to  their 
position,  which  they  did  in  a  very  handsome  order,  under  g  very 
heavy  fire  from  the  enemy's  batteries,  and  took  a  position  within 


'# 


M 


*  147 

about  six  hundred  yards  of  their  principal  fort,  and  opened  a 
heavy  cannonade  upon  the  enemy,  wtiich  aid  great  execution,  and 
very  much  contributed  to  their  final  destruction.  The  troops; 
as  soon  as  landed,  were  formed  under  the  immediate  orders  of 
briffadiMT  general  Pike,  who  led  in  a  most  sallant  manner  the  at- 
tack upon  the  forts,  and  after  having  carriea  two  redoubts  in  their 
approach  to  their  principal  works,  the  enemy  (having  previously 
laid  a  train)  blew  up  his  magazine,  which  in  its  effects  upon  our 
troops,  was  dreadful,  having  killed  and  wounded  a  great  many, 
and  amongst  the  former,  the  ever  to  be  lamented  brigadier  general 
Pike,  who  fell  at  the  head  of  his  column  by  a  contusion  repeived 
by  a  heavy  stone  from  the  magazine.  His  death  at  this  time,  is 
much  to  be  regretted,  as  he  had  the  perfect  confidence  of  the 
major  ^neral;  and  his  known  activity,  zeal  and  experience, 
make  his  loss  a  national  one*. 

In  consequence  of  the  fall  of  general  Pike,  the  command  of 
the  troops  devolved,  for  a  time,  upon  colonel  Pearce,  who  soon 
after  took  possession  of  the  town.  About  2  P.  M.  the  American 
flag  was  substituted  for  the  British,  and  at  about  four  our  troops 
were  in  quiet  possession  of  the  town.  As  soon  as  general  Dear- 
bom  learned  the  situation  of  general  Pike,  he  landed,  and  assumed 
the  command.  I  have  the  nonour  of  enclosing  a  copy  of  the 
capitulation  which  was  entered  into,  and  approved  by  general 
Dearborn  and  myself. 

"  The  enem^  s^  fire  to  some  of  his  principal  stores,  containing 
large  quantities  of  naval  and  military  stores,  as  well  as  a  laige 
ship  upon  the  stocks,  nearly  finished.  The  only  vessel  found 
here,  is  the  Duke  of  Gloucester,  undergoing  repairs.  The  Prince 
Regent  left  here  on  the  a4th,  for  Kington.  We  have  not  yet 
had  a  return  made  of  the  naval  and  military  stores ;  consequently 
can  form  no  idea  of  the  Quantity,  but  have  made  arrangements  to 
have  all  taken  on  board  uiat  we  can  rec^ve ;  the  rest  inll  be  des- 
troyed. 

I  have  to  regret  the  death  of  midshipmen  Thompson  and  Hat- 
field, and  several  seamen  killed—- the  exact  number  I  do  not 
know,  as  the  returns  from  the  different  vessels  have  not  yet  been 
received.  From  tlie  judicious  arrangements  made  by  general 
Dearborn,  I  presume  that  the  public  stam  will  be  dispraed  of, 
so  that  the  teoops  will  be  ready  to  re-embark  to  morrow,  and  pro- 
ceed to  execute  other  olivets  of  the  expedition  the  first  fair  wmd. 
I  cannot  speak  in  too  much  praise  of  the  cool  intrepidity  of  the 
officers  and  men  generally,  under  my  command,  and  I  reel  n^- 
self  particularly  indebted  to  the  officers  commanding  vessels,  ror 
.their  zeal  in  seconding  my  views. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  yours,  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAVNCST. 

Ifonounble  WiUiain  Jones, 

Swnrctary  of  the  JSTatry. 


ii.1 


i.-vi  il 


# 


1 1  .a 
I!  1 


'  ( 


111 


i  I 


I"*,  I 


Mi'f 
ftf- 

% 


146 


♦' 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTEUS,  YORK,  UJPPER  CANADA, 

^  AprU  38tb,  1813. 


After  a  detention  of  some  days,  by  adverse  winds,  we  ar- 
rived here  yesterday  morning,  and  at  8  o'clock  commenced  laiidins 
our  troops,  about  three  miles  westward  of  the  town,  and  one  and 
a  half  from  the  enemy's  works.  The  wind  was  high  and  in  an 
unfavourable  direction  for.  our  boats,  which  prevented  the  troops 
landing  at  a  clear  field,  the  ancient  site  of  the  French  fort  Ta- 
rento.  The  unfavourable  wind  prevented  as  many  of  the  armed 
vessels  from  taking  such  positions  as  would  as  effectually  cover 
our  landing,  as  they  otherwise  would  have  done;  but  every  thing 
that  could  be  done  was  effected. 

Our  riflemen,  under  major  Forsyth,  first  landed,  under  a  heavy 
fire  from  Indians  and  other  troops.  General  Sheafie  commanded  in 
person.  He  had  collected  his  whole  force  in  the  woods,  near  where 
the  wind  obliged  our  troops  to  land,  consisting  of  about  700  regu- 
lars and  militia,  and  100  Indians.  Major  Forsyth  was  supported, 
as  promptly  as  possible  with  other  troops  ;  but  the  contest  was 
sharp  and  severe  for  near  half  an  hour.  The  enemy  was  repulsed 
by  a  far  less  number  than  their  own;  and  as  soon  as  general  Pike 
landed  with  7  or  800  men,  and  the  remainder  of  the  troq)S  were 
pushing  for  the  shore,  the  enemy  retreated  to  their  works ;  and  at 
soon  as  the  whole  of  the  troops  had  landed  and  formed  on  the  clear 
ground  intended  for  the  first  landing;,  they  advanced  through  a 
uiick  wood  to  the  open  ground  near  the  enemy's  works,  and  after 
carryins  one  battery  by  assault,  were  moving  on  in  columns  to- 
wards we  main  works ;  when  the  head  of  the  columns  was  within 
about  sixty  rods  of  the  enemy,  a  tremendous  explosion  occurred 
from  a  large  magazine  prepared  for  the  purpose,  which  dischaiged 
such  immense  quantities  of  atone,  as  to  produce  a  most  unfortu- 
nate effect  on  our  troops.  I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  collect  the 
returns  of  our  killed  and  wounded,  but  our  loss  by  the  explosion, 
ibttst,  I  fear,  exceed  100;  and  among  them,  I  have  to  lament  the 
loss  of  the  brave  and  excellent  officer,  brigadier  general  ^  Pike* 
who  received  such  a  contusion  from  a  large  stone,  as  terminated 
his  valuable  life  within  a  few  hours.  Hi»  utsa  wiU  be  severdyfwU, 

Previous  to  tlie  explosion,  the  enemy  had  retired  into  ^e  town, 
excepting  a  party  ot  regular  troops,  which  did  not  retire  eariy 
Enough  to  avoid  tne  shock ;  it  is  said  that  upwards  of  forty  of 
them  were  destroyed.  General  Sheaffe  moved  off  with  the  regu- 
lar trolls,  and  left  directions  with  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
militia,  to  make  the  best  terms  he  could.  In  the  mean  time,  all 
further  resistance  on  the  part  of  the  enemy  ceased,  and  the  out- 
lines of  a  capitulation  were  agreed  on.  As  soon  as  I  was  informed 
of  general  Pike's  bein^  wounded,  I  went  on  shore.  I  had  been 
induced  to  confide  the  immediate  command  of  the  troops  in  ac- 
tion to  generaLjPike,  from  a  conviction  that  he  fully  expected  it, 
and  would  bewiuch  mortified  at  being  deprived  of  the  konour»: 


im 


# 


ub 


^hich  he  highljr  appreciated.  Ererj  movement  was  under  mr 
view.  Our  troops  behaved  with  great  firmness,  and  deserve  mucA 
applause,  especiallv  those  Who  were  first  engaged,  under  circum* 
stances  tlutt  would  have  tried  the  firmness  of  veterans.  Our  loss  in 
the  action  in  the  morning,  and  in  carrying  the  first  battery,  was  ndt 
great,  probably  about  fifty  killed  and  wounded ;  among  them,  were 
a  fUU  proportion  df  officers  $  and  although  the  enemy  had  a  de- 
cided advantage  in  point  of  numbers  and  position,  at  the  com- 
mencement, their  loss  was  ^ater  than  ours,  particularly  in  of- 
ficers. 

It  was  with  the  greatest  exertion  that  the  small  vessels  of  the 
fleet  could  work  into  the  harbour  against  a  gale  of  wind  directly 
ahead;  but  as  soon  as  they  got  in  contact  with  the  batteries,  a 
tremendous  cannonade  commenced  from  24  and  32  pounders,  and 
was  kept  up  without  intemiiission,  under  a  heavv  fire  from  twi> 
batteries,  until  the  enemy's  batteries  were  carried  or  bloWn  up  by 
the  explosion,  which  undoubtedly  had  a  powerful  effect  oh  the 
enetiij.  I  am  under  the  greatest  obligations  to  commodore  Chaun- 
cey  for  his  able  and  indefatigable  exertions  in*every  possible  man- 
ner that  could  £'ve  facilitv  and  effect  to  the  expedition.  He  it 
equally  estimui  *  ^trr  deliberate  sound  judgment,  bravery  and  in- 
dustry. The  ^j'^^vti  ument  could  not  have  made  a  more  fortunate 
selecnoh  for  'L .  Lnportant  trust  he  holds.  Unfortunately,  the 
enemy's  armed  ship,  the  **  Prince  R^ent,"  left  this  place  for 
Kingston,  four  days  oefore  we  arrived.  A  large  ship  on  the  stocks, 
nearly  planked  up,  with  a  large  store  of  naval  stores,  were  set  on 
fire  by  the  enemy,  soon  after  the  explosion  of  the  masazine. 
Thet«  are  no  vessels  fit  for  use  in  the  harbour.  A  consiaerable 
quantity  of  military  stores  and  provisions  remained.  We  shall 
not  possess  the  means  of  transporting  the  prisoners  from  this 
place,  and  must,  of  course,  leave  them  on  parole.  1  hope  we  shall 
so  far  complete  the  necessary  measures  at  this  place,  in  the  course 
of  this  day,  as  to  be  id)le  to  sail  to-morrow  for  Niagara,  by  which 
route  I  shall  send  this  by  a  small  vessel,  with  notii:e  to  general 
Lewis  of  our  approach. 

I  am  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

R,  DEARBORN  i 

Hon.  John  Ann*tron{f, 

Secretary  irf"  War. 


It' 

'1!"' 


U 


HEAD  QUARTEltS,  CAMP  MEIGS,  May  5th,  1813. 

SIR.    \^  ; 

I  am  sorry  to  inform  you  of  another  disaster  to  theKentncky 
troops,  not  indeed  bearing  any  comparison  to  that  of  the  river 
Raism  in  point  of  killed  and  wounded,  but  exceeding  it  as  to  the 
number  or  prisoners.  I  had  the  honour  to  inform  you  in  my 
tetter  of  the  38th  instant,  that  the  %itish  troops  destined  to  \>e- 


,*, 


150 


I'll 


tn ':. 


i 


sieee  this  place  were  then  in  view.  On  the  succeeding  night  they 
broke  ground  upon  the  heights  opposite,  and  on  the  followinff 
morning  our  batteries  opened  iipon  them  and  continued  a  partial 
firing  throughout  that  and  the  following  day.  On  the  first  of  MajF*. 
the  enemy  returned  it  from  a  two  gun  and  one  mortar  battery,  and 
on  the  second  from  a  third  gun  battery.  On  the  night  of  the  third 
they  passed  a  part  of  their  troops  to  this  side  of  the  river,  and 
Opened  another  gt  and  mortar  battery  within  tw9  hundred  and 
fifty  yards  of  oui  lines.  They  were  soon  however  driven  from 
that  position,  and  obliged  to  take  one  at  a  more  respectful  distance. 
On  tiie  first,  second,  and  third  iniL'tant,  the  fire  was  most  inces- 
sant and  tremendous.  Five  and  a  half  and  eight  and  a  half  inch 
shells,  with  twcnf;y-four  pound  ball,  fell  in  showers  in  our  'camp, 
and  would  have  produced  the  most  unfortunate  eftect,  but  from 
tiie  great  pains  and  labour  which  hau  been  bestowed  in  the  erec- 
tion of  traverses,  which  in  a  great  degree  shielded  our  camp  from 
the  former.  For  the  latter  niere  was  no  preventative  but  that  of 
taking  the  batteries.  About  twelve  o'clock  last  night  an  officer 
arrived  in  a  boai  from  general  Clay,  to  inform  me  of  his  approach^ 
ar.d  that  he  would  reach  this  place  in  about  two  !i  mrs.  I  imme- 
diately determined  upon  a  general  sally,  and  sent  an  officer  to 
fffmeral  Clay  directing  him  1»  land  eight  hundred  men  some  short 
distance  above,  to  attack  and  carry  the  batteries,  spike  the  cannon 
and  destroy  the  artillery.  The  general  was  unfortunately  delayed 
longer  than  he  expected  in  passing  the  Rapids,  and  the  detach- 
ment destined  to  make  the  attack  did  not  reach  the  landing  until 
near  nine  o^'clock.  Th^s  however  did  not  prevent  them  from 
ntaking  the  attempt,  and  never  was  any  thing  more  completely 
successful.  The  four  batteries  were  immediately  taken  possession 
of,  and  their  defenders  driven  off,  and  the  cannon  spiked.  Here 
Hie  work  of  our  men  was  done.  But  that  confidence  which  always 
attends  militia  when  successful,  proved  their  ruin,  aiithou^  there 
was  time  sufficient  to  return  to  tne  boats  before  a  reinforcement 
arrived  to  the  enem  v.  They  remained  upou  the  grounds  in  spite 
of  the  repeated  calls  which  we  made  across  the  river  to  bring 
them  back,  suffered  themselves  to  be  amused  and  drawn  into  the 
woods  by  some  faini  skirmishing,  whilst  the  British  troops  and  an 
immense  body  of  Indians,  were  soon  brought  up.  A  severe  action 
then  took  place.  The  British  immediately  interrupted  the  retreat 
<^onr  ruen  to  the  plain  over  the  river,  where  they  would  have  been 
under  cover  of  our  cannon ;  but  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
only,  out  of  nearly  eight  hundred  effectives,  made  their  escape  i» 
the  boats.  Where  the  balance  of  general  Clay's  force  maae  its 
appearance  and  attempted  to  land  above  the  garrison,  their  flank 
was  attacked  by  a  large  body  of  Indiaris.  1  immediately  ordered 
out  a  detachment  consisting;  of  part  of  the  19th  United  States' 
regiment,  about  one  hundred  twelve  months' volunteers,  and  some 
muitia.  They  however  succeeded  in  drivr^ig  the  enemy  entirely 
off.  Pursuant  to  the  plan  which  I  had  formed,  an  attack  was  then 


,& 


1« 

made  upon  the  batteries  on  this  side  of  the  river,  conducted  bj 
colotiel  Miller,  of  the  19th  re^ment,  with  part  of  his  regiment* 
the  aforesaid  volunteers,  and  a  few  militia.  This  attack  was  also 
•completely  successful.  The  enemy  were  driven  from  their  works, 
a  number  killed,  and  two  British  officers  and  forty-one  privateff 
broyght  into  camp.  This  attack  was  intended  to  be  simultaneous 
with  that  on  the  other  side,  and  it  was  nearly  so.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  severe  loss  we  have  sustained  in  the  Kentucky  militia, 
the  events  of  the  day  have  been  honourable  to  the  American  arms. 
The  detachment  under  colonel  Miller  suffered  very  little,  and 
had  the  militift  been  contented  with  executing^  what  they  were 
ordered  to  do,  every  object  which  I  had  contemplated  would 
have  been  accomplished. 

I  h  rve  only  time  to  add  that  I  am  confident  of  my  ability  to 
defeni^  this  place  until  the  expected  targe  reinforcements  arrive  $ 
and  tliat  I  am,  with  great  respect,  &c. 

WILLIAM  HENRY  HARRISON. 
IIoiMMuable  John  Amutronp, 

Secretaiym  War. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  Stephen  H.  Moorey  captain  of  the  Balti- 
more voliMkerSt  to  his  brother^  dated 

NIAGARA,  May  5th,  1813. 

**  I  last  wrote  you  from  the  harbor,  stating  that  I  was  then  about 
to  embark  with  my  company,  together  with  general  Pike's  brigade, 
for  the  purpose  of  making  a  descent  on  the  Canada  shore.    !  nave 
to  inform  you  now  of  the  result,  which  has  been  victorious  and 
glorious  to  the  American  arms,  although  peculiarly  unfortunate  to 
me.   We  arrived  at  the  head  of  lake  Ontario  on  Tuesday  morning 
the  27th  ultimo,  and  debarked  the  forces  about  a  mile  above  York, 
the  capital  of  Upper  Canada.    Here  we  were  met  on  the  beach  by 
about  five  hundred  British  regulars  and  two  hundred  and  fifty 
Indians.    We  contended  with  them  warmly  for    N>ut  an  hour, 
when  we  succeeded  in  driving  them  before  us,  and  made  sood 
our  landing,  with  l  loss  of  some  brave  officers,  and  about  forty 
men  killea  and  wounded.    We  then  formed  immediately,  moved 
up  to  York,  and  when  arrived  just  at  the  opening  of  the  main 
street,  the  enemy  sprung  a  mine  upon  us,  which  destroyed  about 
eighty  of  his  own  men,  and  killed  and  wounded  about  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty  of  our  men.  This  horrible  explosion  has  deprived 
me  of  %iy  leg,  and  otherwise  grievously  wounded  me.    I  was 
taken  from  the  field,  and  carried  on  board  the  commodore's  ship, 
where  my  leg  was  amputated,  and  I  am  now  likely  to  recover. 
Two  of  my  company  were  killed  at  the  sttme  time,  and  four  or 
five  more  of  mv  brave  fellows  were  severely  wounded,  now  out  of 
danger.    We  nave  taken  the  capital  of  the  enemy,  and  about  a 


h 


IM 


# 


I' 


f]' 


4 


<    n 
■'i   !  f 


li. 


t'\ 


i 


million  and  a  hali'  wortli  of  public  stores  and  other  juroperty .  We 
have  killed  and  wounded  about  three  hundred  Bntisn  and  their 
savage  allies,  and  have  taken  prisoners  about  seven  hundred  men. 
We  nave  taken  from  them  also  several  vessels  of  war  which  were 
found  in  tiie  harbor,  and  destroyed  a  32  gun  frigate,  then  on  the 
stocks.  . 

"  This  is  the  severest  Mow  the  British  have  felt  since  the  war, 
and  is  to  them  irrer>v«>diable.  It  will  teach  them  a  lesson  of  Ame- 
rican bravery,  wh?c'  i\ey  cannot  soon  forget.  The  conquest  of 
Upper  Canacla  is  nr  ao  longer  doubtful,  as  almost  aII  the  guns, 
munitions  of  war,  auU  provisions,  necessarv  to  carry  on  the  present 
campaign,  were  depositeil  at  York,  and  have  been  taken  by  us. 
General  Pike,  however,  the  brave  and  gallant  projector  of  this 
enterprize,  fell  in  the  very  moment  of  complete  victory,  at  the 
head  of  his  column.  We  have  suffered  severely  in  loss  of  officers ; 
two  captains  and  fourteen  lieutenants  have  been  killed,  and  five 
captains  and  seven  lieutenants  wounded.  My  wound,  they  say, 
is  a  very  good  one,  but  it  has  maimed  me  for  life.  Lieutenant 
Irvine  received  a  bayoi  t  through  his  ri^t  shoulder,  at  the  mo- 
ment of  steppinff  out  of  the  boat,  but  is  doing  ver^  well.  Gill  and 
Warner  escaped  unhurt.  M^  company  distinguished  themselves 
gloriously,  anu  were  noticed  for  their  determined  spirit." 


^WP 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  CAMP  MEIGS,  May  9th,  1813. 


1  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  that  the  enemy  having  been 
several  days  making  preparations  for  raising  the  siege  of  this  post, 
accomplished  this  day  the  removal  of  their  artillery  from  the  op- 
posite bank,  and  about  12  o'clock,  left  their  encampment  below, 
were  soon  embarked  and  out  of  sight.  I  have  the  honour  to  enclose 
you  an  aei'eement  entered  into  Mtween  general  Proctor  and  my- 
self, for  tne  discharge  of  the  prisoners  of  the  Kentucky  militia  in 
his  possession,  and  for  the  exchange  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
regular  troops  which  were  respectively  possessed  by  us.  My 
anxiety  to  get  the  Kentucky  troops  released  as  early  as  posaible, 
induced  me  to  agree  to  the  dismission  of  all  the  prisoners  I  had, 
although  there  was  not  as  many  of  ours  in  general  Proctor's  pos- 
session. The  surplusage  is  to  be  accounted  for,  and  an  equal 
number  of  ours  released  from  their  parole,  whenever  the  govern- 
ment may  think  proper  to  direct  it. 

The  two  actions  on  this  side  the  river  on  the  5th,  were  tn$- 
nitely  more  important  and  more  honourable  to  our  arms,  than  I 
had  at  first  conceived.  In  the  sortie  made  upon  the  l^t  flank, 
captain  Waring's  company  of  the  19th  regiment,  a  detachment  of 
twelve  month's  volunteers  under  m^jor  Alexander,  and  thiiee 
companies  of  Kentucky  militia  under  colonel  Boswell,  defeated  at 
least  double  the  number  of  Indians  and  British  militia. 


153^ 


,  The  tortie  ob  the  right  was  still  more  glorioas ;  the  British 
battenM  inithittdirectioitweredefeatedby  the  gretfi<drerUidli|ht 
lOtMtry  o^mpMies  «f  the  41ftti«gii)ikeiit,ain6niitmx'i(i  tw9  m&- 
d««d,eftQtiiiee»iaiid  twe  omnpeiiiev  ef^n^fia;  fliiiiki^d  bVia  hbit 
i|  ImUiHUi^  ,x^Che  delatohmeiit  sent  teattkiek  those;  cdhaisted^df  Kfl 
the  men  of  duty  belonging  to  the  companies  of  Crbjriiaif  and'firiidi 
fqvdr'fll  the,Arth^ regiment?  Langhtaiii>t,ElHott»s  aate'Ondumi's) 
ukL  lKMig?s»^f^the  49tb  -^  tbont  eig^.ey  Itf"  mtttor  Alexattd^ft 
volvot^eaik  and  a  lini^companjref  Kentucky  miHIia  tAfltei*'«atf- 
**^  W$bvmh4mowmnto  ilk  ^kt  %he*«  to  ^im  m««%  than  tKl^ 


l;«ia4  fttit^^  «Ye^  the  vm^  ^ef  the'iic^to*  wiir  mt% 
pienent  4(Hibtfiil,  aBdihmdk^not  theBrleit(h  lM^itfeeii*^tfv#^ 
i»,|h»(rttisBtiielf  i^^thtir  ellieiiy  the  whoie  of  th^i%6tfld  hm 
him^^M^l^m* .-*^  i«'.-v;iw«*..  Jr  ■■*:*'  V  ■■■'■■■    '■".  •-'-  .Mr^^.>..ia^^ -»..«■*. 

^|^^j«Bit^|Maibb'>A>r^>e<^  to  ibehave  bett^  thm  iburs'^  did 
tMOHiAKMI^jallvtiie  oAeers  ^eierted*  themselves  to  ete««^  W 
oi^n,jui<  4the  eneiby,  who  Imdl  a'fkktt  tiew  «tf  dur'^MHAM 
.%)!»iL»Hl«iappQMtft«di«M,  vtoekured  that  they  had  ifeVer  'seen"  ^ 
i9l^hjfrQ||L,pM£MniMiklB)8v«lMrtaiSliie.  ^ 

.y^OI  thi  eommandailts  of eor]M  I  feet  partievlal^obliiktiddl^ 
'PfMupeiei^QAbnel  BiiUerof  th<»t#thiiifantr  *h1»nelMlltt  iii 
the  Ohio,jAiUti«»  muor  dteddaMl^  of  the  w^titk . ,  liii^ot^  Biirtel 
the  dragoons,  and  mijor  Johnson  of  the  Kentucky  militia.  Cap- 
tain Gratiot  of  the  engineers,  Wmk  been  for  a  longtime  much 
mdispoaed,  the  Uik  of  fortifying  tlSs^Boilt  4eiMiLvedeik  tAptai' 
Wood.  It  cevfd  Hot  h&ve  been  placed  in  better  hands.  PeyiNit 
me toi^pmmeadhim^te ^e  Fr^ident,  4a4vt<i  Mf^,i!0«tirae 
f*^IM^  M  Ilit  approliatieb  bestowed  on  cap^  Wool,  %iml« 
Pf  Mfify  ifAtt^^  to  t)^  Whole  of  llii^trtMiM  who  wHnesied 
hiMMliievs  ieivrtifMis.    „  r 

Km  iM$ttr  H^kBl,  eetii^  inspector  wBrnnK^j  u^Me-cimp, 
m^<ic<li«^.  lieutenant  ^'FW^^  i*«la«  dm  S#«%S 
a89i»tii|^  Mutant  |toii^  in  the  ebseooe  vtm^  A&ik  W 
TB^ymmmm'^^  «iq.»I  reoei%ed  th^ 

fhtw^thejioiioiirto^encloseyouftUstdf  ttfc  Wl#^^ 
defl«(|m|M«lieitte|<^  anil  lit  the  twe  sorties;  these^  thulnttei^ 
w«««^l»MlH8^#W»iatiIhad  ct^first^pett^  ,      l> 

.  W«it^^d<H|i  «Ml  e«po8We«ii  the^^^e  riihs'w&ich 

Mfi'^liiiAHBlWt.evefydirf  for  some  tinep^ 

infig^g.«*fii:  to  litt^^  irlte  mm 

l»w«itl«iwcli*d^  rtoep#^ 

20 


M.- 


"cas^i 


. )  fl 


154 

most  of  them  say,  that  the  one  which  is  now  building,  will  not  b« 
launched  for  many  weeks. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  yours,  &;c. 

WILLIAM  HENRY  HARRISON. 

,  Honounble  John  Armsti*ongv 

Secretary  of  War. 

P.  S.  Captain  Price,  of  the  regiment  light  artillery,  and  tlie 
twenty  regulars,  prisoners  with  general  Proctor,  were  taken  on 
the  north-weistem  side  of  the  river,  with  the  Kentucky  inili'tii. 
We  htid  no  prisoners  taken  on  this  side  during  the  siege. 


»•'< 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 


"S  i 


i'f 


'•       ! 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  FORT  MEn;Si  May  9th,  1813. 4' 

■*»»*■■■• 

'^'  The  information  recei?edby  the  general,  and  the  movements  of 
the  enemy,  indicating  their  having  abandoned  this  posti  the  een- 
eral  congratulates  his  troops  on  having  completely  foiled  uieir 
foes,  and  put  a  stop  to  tliat  career  of  victory  whicn  has  hitiierto 
attend^  their  arms.  He  cannot  find  words  to  express  his  sense 
bf  the  good  conduct  of  the  troops  of  every  description  and  of 
every  corps,  as  well  in  sustaining  and  returning  the  fire  of  the 
etiiemy,  as  for  their -assiduity  and  patience  in  performing  those 
laborious  duties  Which  the  occasion  called  for.  Where  merit 
was  so  general,  indeed  almost  universal,  it  is  diflleult  to  discrim- 
inate. The  general  cannot  however,  omit  to  mention  the  names 
of  those  whose  situation  gave  tiiem  an  opportunity  of  being  more 
particularly  useful.  From  the  long  illness  of  captain  Oratiot,  of 
t^e  corps  of  engineers,  the  arduous  and  important  duties  of  forti- 
fying tne  camp  devolved  on  captain  Wood,  of  that  corps.  In 
lissigning  to  him  the  first  palm  of  merit,  as  far  as  relatea  to  the 
transacm>n8  within  the  works,  the  general  is  convinced  his  deci- 
sion will  be  awarded  by  every  individual  in  the  camfTwho  wit- 
nessed his  indefatigable  exertions,  his  consummate  skill  in 
providin|;l'for  the  safety  of  every  point,  and  in  foiling  every  at- 
teiApt  oAhe  enemy,  an(i'his  undauntedbraveiyln  the  p6rfonnani^» 
of  his  duty  in  the  mOst  exposed  situations.^  An  unfortunate 
wouImI  in  the  commencement  «f  the  siege  deprived  the  general, 
afteir  tiilt  time,  of  the  abkJ  services  of  major  Stoddu^  of  the 
artiliery,  whose  tetd  and  talents  had  been  eminehtly  liseful. 
Caiptiiin  €hrati<it,  in  the  remission  of  a  severe  illniRss,  to<>k  charge 
of  a  battery,  and  msinaged  It  with  ability  and  efl%ct  Captain 
Cu<»hing«  of  the  artillery,  and  captain  liailt  of  the  irth  infantijr. 


156 

(but  doing  duty  with  the  former  corps)  were  extremely  active  and 
attentive  to  their  post.  To  colonel  Miller  and  major  Todd,  of 
the  19th  United  States*  infantry ;  majors  Ball  of  the  drasoons* 
Sodwick,  and  major  Ritzer  of  the  Ohio  militia,  and  major  Johntou 
of  the  Kentucky  militia,  rendered  tlie  most  important  services. 
To  each  of  the  above  gentlemen,  as  well  as  to  each  captain, 
subaltern,  non-commissioned  officer,  and  private  of  their  respec- 
tive commands,  the  general  gives  his  thanks  and  exprejMes  hia 
warmest  approbation ;  also  to  adjutant  Brown,  Mr.  Peters,  con- 
4ttctar  of  artillery ;  Mr.  Lien,  principal  artificer ;  Mr.  Timberlee, 
and  to  Serjeants  Henderson,  Tommes  and  Meldruu,  who  seve>^ 
ally  had  charge  of  batteries  and  block-houses.  The  battery  man- 
a^^  by  Serjeant  Henderson  was,  as  the  enemy  confessed,  managed 
with  peculiar  efficacy  and  effi^ct  with  respect  to  the  sorties  which 
were  made  on  the  5th  instant.  The  subsequent  information 
which  has  been  received  from  the  prisoners,  has  given  the  gallant 
troops  which  were  enjE^aeed  on  those  occasions  additional  claims 
upon  the  gratitude  of  uieir  general.  It  is  ascertained  that  in 
both  instances  the  enemy  far  outnumbered  our  troops.  The 
general  gpves  his  tlianks  to  brigadier  general  Clay;  for  the  promp- 
titude with  which  the  detachment  of  his  brisade  were  landed, 
and  the  assiduity  shown  by  him  in  forming  them  for  the  attack 
on  the  left :  to  colonel  Boswell  and  major  Fletcher,  for  their 
gallantry  and  good  conduct  in  leading  them  in  the  charge  made 
on  the  enemy,  and  to  captains  Dudley,  Simons  and  MedcaJ ,  the 
subalterns,  non-cominissioued  officers  and  privates,  ^or  the  dis* 
tincuished-valor  with  which  they  defeated  the  enemy,  'fhe  gene- 
ral nas,  in  the  order  of  the  6th  instant,  expressed  his  sense  of  the 
conduct  of  the  regular  troops  and  volunteers,  which  were  engaged 
in  the  sorties  on  the  left  flank,  but  he  omitted  toinention  capUin 
Sebree's  company  of  Kentucky  militia,  whose  eallanitiy  yr^  not 
surpassed  by  that  of  any  of  the  comjpanies  whicn  fought  by  their 
side*  The  Pittsburg  blues,  led  by  lieutenant  M'G«e,  in  the  ill- 
ness of  their  gallant  captain,  sustained  the  reputation  which  they 
had  acquired  at  Mississineway.  The  Petersburg  volunteers  and 
lieutenant  Drum's  detachment,  discovered  equal  intrepidity.  To 
the  detachments  from  the  17th  and  19tli  United  States'  regiments, 
under  their  respective  commanders,  captains  Crftehan,  ISrudford, 
Langham,  £lliott,  and  Nering,  the  hnuourable  ta^.was  ^sig^ed 
of  storminff  the  British  batteries,  defended  by  two  hundred  jBri- 
tish  grenadiers  and  lu;ht  infantry,  flanked  by  an  host  of  Indiana 
and  two  companies  ofCanadian  militia.  Colonel  Miller  ^aka 
in  the  highest  t«nn«  of  the  captains  before  mentioned,  and  lieute- 
nants Canipliell,  Gwynn,  Lee,  Kerchcval  and  Rees ;  and  of  en- 
signs Shep,  Hawkins,  Harrison,  Mitchell,  and  Stockton.  The 
general  requests  colonel  Miller,  major  Todd,  and  each  of  tiie 
officers  above  named,  U^ther  with  all  tlie  officers,  non-commis- 
sioned officers  and  soldiers,  who  were  engaged  on  the  fifth  instant, 


i   ' 


156 


il 


It  lii 


to  accept  his  thanks.  The  general  is  under  the  highest  obliga- 
tions to  his  stair  for  their  conduct,  as  well  in  the  action  of  the 
fifth  as  for  the  assistance  which  he  received  from  them  throughout 
the  siege.  Maior  Hukill,  the  acting  inspector  general,  distin* 
gttished  himself  by  his  assiduity  in  forwarding  me  part  of  our 
works  which  was  most  necessary  and  which  was  most  exposed 
to  the  fire  of  the  enemy.  From  major  Graham,  his  aid-de-cn:np, 
his  volunteer  aid-de-camp,  J.  Johnson,  esq.  and  from  lieutenant 
O'Fallon,  acting  assistant  adjutant  general,  as  well  as  from  the 
deputy  quarter-master,  Mr.  Eubank,  he  received  the  greatest 
assistance.   »,.  .. 

It  rarely  occurs  that  a  general  has  to  complain  of  the  excessive 
ardour  of  his  men,  yet  such  appears  always  to  be  the.  case  when- 
ever the  Kentucky  militia  are  engaged.  It  is  indeed  the  source 
of  all  their  misfortunes.  They  appear  to  think  that  their  valour 
can  alone  accomplish  any  thing.  Tlie  general  is  led  to  make  this 
remark  from  the  conduct  of  captain  Dudley's  company  of  the 
•— --  regiment,  as  he  has  understood  that  that  gallant  ofiicer  waa 
obllg;ed  to  turn  his  espontoon  against  his  company  to  oblige  them 
to  desist  from  a  further  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  in  compliance  with 
an  order  from  the  general.  Such  temerity,  although  not  so  dis- 
graceful, is  scarcely  less  fatal  than  cowardice.  And  in  the  in- 
stance above,  had  it  been  persisted  in,  would  have  given  a  differ- 
ent result  to  the  action,  as  the  whole  of  the  enemy's  force  which 
were  pli|ced  near  the  batteries,  would  have  been  precipitated  upon 
Ikn  rear  of  our  detachment.  The  purnuit  being  stopped,  allowed 
time  for  a  new  disposition  under  cover  of  our  cannon,  and  the 
enemy's  batteries  were  attacked  and  carried  without  difliculty. 

JOHN  ()*FALLON, 
Acting  tta»igt,  ^dj,  Gf.ii. 


1: 


SIR, 


LOWER  SANDUSKY,  May  13U),  1813. 


Having  ascertained  that  the  enemy.(Indians  as  well  as  Bri- 
tish) had  entirely  abandoned  the  ne^:hbourhood  of  the  Rapids,  I 
eft  the  coniniand  of  Camp  Meigs  with  general  Clay,  and  came 
here  last  night.  It  is  with  the  greatest  satisfaction  Tinform  you, 
sir,  that  the  loss  of  the  Kentucky  troops  in  killed,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  river,  does  not  exceed  fifty.  On  th«s  10th  and  llth 
instant,  I  caused  the  groufid  which  was  the  8cen<i  of  action,  and 
its  environs,  to  be  carefully  examined,  and  after  the  most  diligent 
search,  forty -five  bodies  only  of  our  men  were  discovered; 
amongst  them  was  the  leader  of  the  detachment,  colonel  Dudley. 
No  other  officer  of  note  fell  in  the  action.  I  have  strong  reason 
to  believe  that  a  conaidendble  number  of  the  Kentuckians  effected 
their  retreat  up  the  river  to  fort  Winchester.  General  Proctor 
did  not  furnish  me  with  a  return  of  the  prisoners  in  his  possession, 


157 


although  repeatedly  promised.    His  retreat  was  as  precipitate  m 
it  could  properly  be,  leaving  a  number  of  cannon  balU  a  new 
elegant  sling  "carriage  for  cannon,  and  other  valuable  articles. 
The  night  before  his  departure,  two  persons  that  were  employed 
in  the  British  gun-boats  (Americans  by  birth)  deserted  to  us.    The 
information  they  ^ave  me  was  very  interesting :  they  say  that 
the  Indians,  of  which  there  were,  from  1600  to  2000,  left  the  Brit- 
ish the  day  before  their  departure,  in  a  high  state  of  dissatisfac- 
tion, from  the  great  loss  they  had  sustained  in  the  several  en-< 
gaj^ements  of  the  5th,  and  the  failure  of  the  British  in  accom- 
plishing their  promise  of  taking  the  post  at  the  Rapids.    From  the 
account  given  by  these  men,  my  opinion  is  confirmed  of  the  great 
euperiority  of  the  enemy  which  were  defeated  by  our  troops  in  the 
two  sallies  made  on  the  5tb  inst.    That  led  by  colonel  Miller  did 
not  exceed  350  men,  and  it  is  very  certain  that  they  defeated  200 
British  regulars,  150  militia,  and  4  or  500  Indians.    That  Ameri- 
can regulars  (although  they  were  raw  recruits)  and  such  men  as 
compose  the  Fittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  a  nd  Petersburg  (Va.)  volun- 
teers, should  behave  well  is  not  to  be  wondered  at;  but  that  a 
company  of  militia  should  maintain  its  ground  against  four  times 
its  number,  as  did  captain  Sebree's,  of  the  Kentucky,  is  truly  as- 
tonishing.   These  brave  fellows  were  at  length,  however,  entirely 
surrounded  by  Indians,  and  would  have  been  cut  oil',  but  for  the 
gallantry  of  lieutenant  Ouynne,  of  the  19th  regiment,  who,  with 
part  of  captain  Elliott's  company,  charged  the  enemy,  and  re- 
leased the  Kentuckians.    I  enclose  you  a  list  of  the  killed  and 
wounded  during  the  whole  siege ; — it  is  considerably  larger  than 
I  supposed  it  would  be,  when  I  last  wrote  you— but  it  is  satis- 
factory to  know,  that  they  did  not  bleed  uselessly,  but  in  the 
course  of  successful  exeitions.    The  return  does'  not  embrace 
those  who  fell  on  the  north-western  side  of  the  Miami. 

You  will  also  receive,  herewith,  a  monthly  return  of  the  troops 
at  camp  Meigs  for  the  last  month ;  the  communication  with  the 
other  posts  beine  cut  oft',  the  returns  were  not  received.  A  copy 
of  general  Clay's  report  to  me,  of  the  manner  of  his  executing 
my  order,  tor  tne  attack  on  the  enemy's  batteries,  is  likewise  for- 
warded, by  which  it  will  be  seen  that  my  intentions  were  per- 
fectly underst«)od,  and  tlie  great  facility  with  which  they  might 
have  been  executed,  is  apparent  to  every  individual  who  witnessed 
tiie  scene.  Indeed  the  cannon  might  have  been  spiked,  the  car- 
riages cut  to  pieces,  the  magazine  destroyed,  and  the  retreat  ef- 
fected to  the  Doats,  without  the  loss  of  a  man,  as  none  were  killed 
in  taking  the  batteries,  so  complete  was  the  surprise. 

An  extensive  open  plain  intervenes  between  the  river  and  the 
hill,  upon  which  the  batteries  of  the  enemy  were  placed ;  this 
plain  was  raked  by  four  of  our  eighteen  pounders,  a  twelve  and  a 
tix.  The  enemy,  even  before  their  guns  were  spiked,  could  not 
have  brought  one  to  bear  upon  it.    So  perfectly  secured  was  dieir 


i:j5Br^??) 


ml 


11^ 


I 


1A8 

retreat,  that  the  150  men  who  came  oflf,  eftected  it  witliout  lo8i» 
and  brought  off  some  of  the  wounded,  one  of  them  on  the  backn 
of  hit  comrades.  The  Indiana  followed  them  to  the  woods,  but 
dared  not  enter  into  the  plain. 

I  am  unable  to  form  a  correct  estimate  of  the  enemy's  force. 
The  prisoners  varied  much  in  their  accounts ;  those  wno  made 
them  least,  stated  the  regulars  at  560,  and  militia  at  800,  but  the 
numbers  of  the  Indians  were,  beyond  comparison,  greater  than 
have  ever  been  brought  into  the  field  before ;  numbers  arrived 
after  the  »eige  commenced.  I  have  caused  tiieir  camps  on  the 
south-east  side  of  the  river,  to  be  particularly  examined,  and  the 
general  opinion  is,  that  there  could  not  have  been  fewer  on  that 
side,  than  1000  or  1900;  they  were,  indeed,  the  efficient  force  of 
the  enemy. 

I  have  the  honour  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favours, 
of  the  14th,  18th,  and  28th  ultimo,  and  5th  instant 

I  am  sorry  to  inlorm  you,  that  major  Stoddard  died  the  night 
before  1  len  the  Rapida,  of  a  lock-jaw,  produced  by  a  slij^t 
wound,  from  a  fragment  of  a  shell,  which  struck  him  on  the  thidi. 
Several  have  died  in  this  way,  from  their  great  and  unavoidable 
exposure  to  the  cold ;  but  nerhaps  there  were  never  so  many  in- 
stwces  of  desperate  wounus  likely  to  do  well.  _ 

The  gallant  captain  Bradford  will  recover. 

I  shall  go  from,  here,  to  Upper  Sandusky,  and  shall  take  mj 
station  at  Delaware  or  Franklinton,  until  the  troops  are  assembled;. 
General  Clay,  who  commands  at  the  Rapids,  is  a  man  of  capacity* 
and  entirely  to  be  relied  on. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
WILLIAM  H£NRY  HARRISON. 

The  lion.  John  Anratrong, 

Secrctaiy  of  War. 

miled  81, — ^wounded  189,  in  the  seige  of  camp  Meigv  and  the  Mveral 
Bortieii  of  the  5tli  of  MAy,  1813. 


CAMP  AT  FORT  MEIGS,  May  13th,  1813. 

SIR, 

On  the  5th  instant,  about  8  o'clock,  A.  M.  descending  the 
Miami  of  the  lake,  about  midway  to  tlie  Rapids,  with  1200  m  the 
Kentucky  troops  in  the  eighteen  flat  bottomed  boats,  I  was  met 
by  captain  Hamilton  and  a  subaltern,  who  delivered  me,  (as  he 
said)  the  orders  of  major  general  Harrison,  to  the  following  ef- 
fect: 

'*  You  must  detach  about  800  men  from  your  brigade,  who  will 
land  at  a  punt  I  will  show,  about  one  or  one  ana  a  half  miles 
above  the  rort,  and  I  will  conduct  ^em  to  the  British  batteries  on 
the  left  bank  of  the  river.    They  must  take  possession  of  the 


eiie 
tot 
I 
con 
abo 
Ind 
ball 


•  ,-* 


Ibd 


«iieiny*8  cannon,  spike  tlteni,  cut  down  the  carriajj^es,  and  return 
to  their  boats.** 

UlMerving  that  the  British  force  at  their  large  batterien,  was  in* 
considerable,  but  that  their  main  force  was  nt  the  old  garrison, 
about  1 A  miles  below,  on  the  name  side  of  the  river;  that  the 
Indian  forces  W(>rc  chiefly  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river :  "  The 
balance  of  the  men  under  your  command,  must  land  on  the  right 
bank,  opposite  to  the  first  Inndiii';,  and  will  fight  their  way  throng 
the  Indians  to  the  fort :"  observing  that  the  route  thus  to  be  taken, 
would  be  shown  by  a  subaltern  officer  there,  in  company  with 
captain  Hamilton,  who  would  land  the  oero^e  at  the  point  on 
the  right  bank,  at  which  the  boats  would  land.  ** 

The  order  of  descending  the  river  in  boats,  was  the  same  M 
the  order  of  march  in  the  line  of  battle,  in  solid  column,  each 
officer  taking  position  according  to  his  rank.  Colonel  .T>udl^y, 
the  eldest  colonel,  led  the  van,  and  in  this  order  the  ri^er  had 
been  descended.  As  soon  as  captain  Hamilton  had  delivered 
these  orders,  being  in  the  thirteentn  boat  from  the  front,  I  directed 
him  to  proceed  immediately  to  colonel  Dudley,  and  onler  !  'm  to 
take  the  men  in  the  twelve  front  boats,  and  execute  general  Har- 
rison's orders  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river ;  and  to  post  his  (cap- 
tain Hamilton's)  subaltern  on  the  right  bank  to  conduct  myself 
with  the  men  in  the  six  boats  to  the  fort.  I  ordered  the  five  boats 
in  the  rear  to  fall  in  a  line,  and  follow  me.  High  winds  and  the 
rapidity  of  the  current,  drove  four  of  the  rear  boats  ashore,  in 
thei  attempt  to  follow  on  according  to  order,  where  they  remained 
a  short  ume,  sufficient,  however,  to  detain  them  half,  or  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  to  the  rear.  To  land  according  to  order,  I 
kept  close  along  the  right  bank,  until  opposite  colonel  Dudley's 
landing.  There  I  found  no  guide  left  to  conduct  me  to  the  fort, 
as  captain  Hamilton  had  promised.  I  then  made  an  attempt  to 
cross  the  river  and  join  colonel  Dudley,  but  from  the  rapid  current 
on  the  falls,  I  was  unable  to  land  on  the  point  with  him.  iteing 
nearly  half  way  acroti^  the  river,  and  the  waves  running  too  high 
to  risk  the  boats ;  then  driving  down  the  current  sidewise— veered 
about  the  boat  and  rowed  the  best  way  we  could  to  s»  t  'ur  boat. 

My  attempt  to  cross  the  river  to  colonel  Dudley,  occasioned 
all  the  boats,  (I  presume  in  the  rear  of  me)  and  which  were  then, 
out  of  hailing  distance,  to  cross  over  and  land  with  colonel  Dud- 
ley. Having  been  defeated  in  landing  on  the  left,  we  then  en^ 
deavoUredto  effect  ont;  on  the  ridit,  evenwUhout  a  coide:  but 
before  a  landing  couM  be  effected,  we  received  a  brisk  fire  from, 
the  enemy  on  sirare,  which  waa  returned  and  kept  up  on  both  sides. 
And  I  was  in  this  unavoidable  situation,  compellea  to  make  fort 
Meigs,  with  no  other  force  tlian  about  50  men  on  board,  (the  other 
boats  being  still  in  the  rear)  and  to  receive  tiie  enemy's  nre,  until 
we  arrived  under  the  protection  of  the  fort  Colonel  Boswell's 
command  (except  the  men  in  my  boaty  having  landedto  join  colo- 
nel Dudley,  were,  as  I  have  be^ il  inforlnra,  ordered  by  captain 


m 


MB;; 


Hamilton  immediately  to  emWWand  land  on  the  ri^ht  hand  shore,' 
aboiit  a  mile  above  the  fort,  and  prepare  to  fifi;ht  his  way  through 
to  the  garrison, 

The  colonel  embarked,  landed,  as  he  conceived,  at  the  prpper 
point,  pursuant  to  captain  Hamilton's  orcfer,  and  was  farming  his 
men  in  order ,0f  battle,  when  he  was  met  by  captaiii  Shaw,  and 
ordered  to  Qvtirch  into  the  garrison  at  open  order,  the  safest  route. 

Wheinny  own  boat  landed,  we  were  met  by  two  men  who  took 
eharge  of  the  boat,  as  we  understood,  to  brinf  her  under  ilie  pro- 
tection of  the  fort  batteries.    Believing  our  baggage  to  be  thuti^ 
made  safe,  we  forbid  our  servants  to  carry  any  portion  of  it,  but 
loaded  them  with  cannon  ball,  which  the^  bore  ^o.  the  fort.    Our  ^ 
baj^age  was,  however,  taken  by  the  Indians  in-a  vciry  sliort  time  * 
after  we  left  the  boat.    Upon  receiving  the  orders  of  caj/taiif 
Hamilton,  I  asked  if  he  had  brought  spikes  to  spike  the  enemy's 
cannon,  to  which  he  replied  he  had  plenty.       •  .'^ 

1  am,  sir,  respectfully,  &c. 
GREEN  CLAY,  Bng.-Gen. 

His  excellency  major  general  Harrison. 

P.  S.  Captain  Hamilton,  on  delivering  the  orders  of  general 
Harrison,  ooserved,  that  the  object  of  landing  and  marching  a 
portion  of  the  troops  on  the  right  bank,  was  to  draw  the  attention 
of  the  Indians,  ana  by  thus  engaging  them,  afford  an  opportunity 
to  the  garrison  to  make  a  sally,  .and  hy  a  circuitous  route,  surprise 
and  carry  the  batteries  and  cannon  of  the  enemy  below  the  fort  " 
on  the  right  bank.  ■       --  ■■>{ 


BRIGADE  ORDERS. 


4*^ 


BRIGADE  HEAD  QUARTERS, 

ij.  Camp,  Four  Mile  Creek,  May  26th,  1813. 

Conformity  to  the  general  order  of  the  2dth  and  26th  instant, 
the  JJIrst  brigade  witf  embark  at  3  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 
Th|&  several  regiments  mil  hold  themselves  in  readiness  accord- 
ingly. The  boats  of  the  brigade  will  form  in  three  lines  suc- 
ceeding^ colonel  Scott's  advance  party.  The  15th  regiment, 
formed  in  column  of  battalion,  tfie  right  in  front,  will  precede. 
The  6th  and  16th  will  successively  fiillow  in  the  same  order. 
Colonel  M'C lure's  volunteers  will  flank  the  ridKt  of  the  brigade, 
and  move  accordingly.  Four  pieces  of  the  fi^hit  artillery  will 
move  in  the  rear  of  the  1 8th  regiment,  and  four  in  the  rear  of  the 
16th  regiment ;  the  first  four  to  form  on  the  right  o^  the  brigade. 
the  other  to  ftum  on  the  left  of  the  bri^de.  The  troops  willland 
in  column,  and  form  immediately  in  order  of  battle.  Colonel 
Miller,  of  the  6th.  ou  the  right,  mijor  King.  Of  tiie  15th.  in  th^ 


lai 


.  / 


centre,  an4  colonel  Pearce,of  Ihe  IStih,  onihe  left.  Oolohel 
M*C1  ore's  volunteers  on  the  right  flank  of  the  bri^de.  The  com* 
manding  officers  of  regiments  will  carry  the  regimental  standard 
in  tlfb  boat  in  wbicfa*  they  embark,  aoa  each  boat  }^  regimental 
»camp  colour.  To  ^ard  the  stores  and  camp  equipage  of  each 
regiment,  on%  commissioned  officer,  one  non-commissioned  officer, 
and  a  sufficient  number  of  non-effectives,  will  be  left. 

Th<*  cqmmaindingi^fficers  of  regiments  will  be  responsible  that 
ihe  tioats  which' have  been  assigned  to  them,  are  in  perfect  readi- 
ness toi  eceive  the  troops  by  the  time  desi^ated  for  embarkation. 

Tl\e  troops  which  compose  the  1st  brigade,  have  already  once 
triumphed  over  'the  foe  they  have  again  to  encounter.  Their 
country  expects  much  from  them,  and  will  not  be  disappointed. 
With  their  present  numbers  and  accustomed  bravery,  the  flag  of 
the  United  States  will  once  more  wave  over  the  territory  of  Ca- 
nada. 

JOHN  P.  BOYD. 
Brig.  Gm,  Comd*g  1st  Brigade* 


m 


BEAD  QUARTERS,  FORT  GEORG^, 

Upper  Canada,  Hay  27th,  1813. 

SIB, 

The  light  troopa  under,  the  command  of  colonel  Soott  and 
major  Fors^,  landed  this  morning  at  9  o'clock,  lllajor  general 
Lewis's  division,  with  colonel  Porter's  command  of  li^htartillery« 
supported  them.  General  Boyd's  brieade  landed  immediatelf 
after  the  light  troops,  and  generals  Winder  and  Chandler  fol- 
lowed in  quick  succession.  The  landing  wa«  warmly  and  obsti- 
nately disputed  by  the  British  forces ;  but  the  coolness  and  intre- 
Sidity  of  our  troops,  soon  compelled  them  to  give  ground  in  everf 
irection.  General  Chandler  with  the  reserve  (composed  of  hit 
brigade  and  colonel  Macomb's  artillery)  covered  tlie  whole. 
Commodore  Chauncey  had  mad^  the  most  judicious  arrange- 
ments for  silencing  the  enemy's  batteries  near  the  point  of  land- 
ing. The  ariny  is  under  the  ^eatest  obligation  to  that  able 
naval  commander,  for  his  indefatigable  exertions,  in  co-operating 
in  all  it4  important  movements,  and  especially  in  its  operatiomi 
tills  day.  Our  batteries  succeeded  in  rendering  fort  Geoi|;e  un- 
tenable ;  and  when  the  enemy  had  been  beaten  from  his  position* 
and  found  it  necessary  to  re-enter  it,  after  firing  a  few  guns« 
and  setting  fire  to  the  magazines,  which  soon  exploded,  moved 
off  rapidly  in  diflferent  routes.  Qur  light  troops  pursued  them 
several  miles.  The  troops  having  been  underarms  rrom  1  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  were  too  much  exhausted  for  any  further  pursuit. 
We  are  now  in  possession  of  fort  Geoixe  and  its  immediate  de- 
pendencies }  to  morrow  we  shall  proceecTfurther.  The  behaviour 
of  our  droops,  both  officers  and  men,  entitle  them  to  the  higMit 


t 


>•'  J 


i 


^»5  'i 


Iff 


■  III 


I. 


p nuse  $  and  ike  difference  of  our  load  with  that  of  the  tnmtj^ 
when  we  consider  the  advantages  his  positions  afforded  him,  ia 
astonishing.  We  had  seventeen  kiUea  and  forty-five  wounded* 
The  enemy  had  ninety  killed  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  woun* 
ded  of  the  regular  troops.  We  have  taken  one  hundred  prisoners 
e^tclusive  of  the  wounded.  Major  Meyers  of  the  49th  waa 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  Of  ours  only  one  commissioned 
officer  was  killed.  Lieutenant  Hobart,  of  the  light  artillery.  In- 
closed is  the  report  of  major  general  Lewis. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
H.  DEARBORN, 
Son,  John  Annstrong; 

^"  ■    f:r 

ON  THE  I1ELD,  1  o'clock,  Mav37th,  1813. 

DEAR  SIR, 

Fort  Geor^  and  its  dependencies  are  ours.  The  enemy, 
beaten  at  all  points,  has  blown  up  his  magazines  and  retired.  It 
is  impossible  at  this  moment  to  say  any  thing  of  individual  g|^l- 
lantry.  There  was  no  man  who  did  not  perform  his  duty  in  a 
manner  which  did  honour  to  himself  and  his  country.  Scottand 
Forsjrth's  commands,  supported  by  Boyd's  and  Winder's  brigades, 
sustained  the  brunt  of  the  action.*  Our  loss  is  trifling,  perhaps 
not  more  than  twenty  killed  and  thrice  that  number  wounded. 
The  enemy  left  in  tne  hospital  one  hundred  and  twenty -four, 
and  I  sent  several  on  board  the  fleet.  We  have  also  made  about 
•ne  hundred  prisoners  of  the  regular  forces. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant. 
MORGAN  LEWIS. 
Ml^  general  Deaibprq, 


BRIGADE  ORDER. 

^rf  J,  ^.NEWARK, May 28th,  1813. 

The  general  commanding  1st  brigade  feels  a  peculiar  satisfac- 
tion in  congratulating  the  troops  on  their  glorious  achievementa 
of  yesterday.  Their  conduct  was  such  as  to  entitie  them  to  the 
thanks  of  tneir  commander,  and  the  gratitude  of  their  country. 

Colonel  Miller  of  the  6th  reeiment  deserves  great  applause 
fortiie  steadiness  and  tepidity  with  which  he  supported  the 
advance  party  under  the  gallant  Scott ;  the  15th,  under  major 
King,  inipatient  to  share  in  the  honour  of  the  day,  immediately 
seconded  and  formed  under  a  most  galling  fire ;  the  16th,  under 
colonel  Pearce,  urged  tiieir  boats  to  the  shore,  and  bore  an  honour- 
able participation  in  the  contest.  The  light  artillerj^,  under 
colonel  Porter,  merits  the  highest  encomiums,  for  their  indefati- 

*  Note.  lITmder'B  brigade  was  not  in  this  action.  The  battle  was  wonb^ 
Boyd's  brigade  and  Scott  and  Fonyth's  coaunMid%  befbre  Winder  was  en* 
4p6dto  fauid.'^EoiT.  ■ 


■a  ^• 

u  I 
s  * 


m 

^Ue'  exertions  and  petsevering  success  in  brineing  up  ^iAa 
ordnance.  They  surmounted  every  obstacle.  Much  was  expect*^^ 
ei^  from  colonel  M'Clure's  volunteers,  and  the  general  has  not 
iiieen  disappointed  t  it  will  be  his  duty  as  well  as  inclination  to 
make  their  claims  known  to  the  commander  in  chief.  As  all  the 
troops  behaved  so  well,  it  would  be  a  difficult  task  to  discriminate 
those  who  were  pre-eminent;  but  the  general  cannot  suppresi 
bis  admiration  oi  the  fortitude  of  major  King,  who  continued  to 
lead  his  regiment  through  the  severity  of  the  contest,  long  after 
having  received  a  painfiH  and  debilitating  wound.  The  exertions 
of  the  officers  and  men  who  ascended  the  oank  and  formed  amidst 
such  a  destructive  fire,  excited  his  admiration,  and  astonished 
iheir  enemy's,  and  will  convince  their  countrymen  as  well  as  foes, 
that  valour  will  overcome  every  resistance.  The  general  will 
find  great  satisfaction  in  obeying  the  order  of  the  commander  in 
chief;  which  required  him  to  make  a  report  of  conspicuous  merit, 
whetii^r  found  in  the  commissioned  officer  or  in  the  'ranks,  and 
they  may  be  assured  that  tlieir  distinguished  actions  shall  not 
pass  witnout  the  proper  encomium. 

Although  the  general  has  not  particularized  discriminate  merit, 
he  may  perhaps  oe  excused  in  recording  the  intrepid  conduct  of 
his  aid-ue-camp,  lieutenant  Whiting,  and  brigade  major  captain 
Grafton.  They  have  justilied  his  expectations,  and  are  entitled 
to  his  applause. 

If  there  is  any  honour  due  to  your  brigadier  general,  it  is  his 
having  had  the  command  of  such  a  gallant  band  of  heroes. 
By  order  of  brigadier  general  Boyd. 

H.  WHITING,  AH, 

SACKETTS  HARfiOR,  May  29th,  1813, 
DEAR  SI1t» 

We  were  attacked  at  the  dawn  of  this  day  by  a  British'regular 
force  of,  say  at  least,  900  men,  most  wolrably  1200.  They  made 
good  their  landing  at  Horse  Island.  The  enemy's  fleet  consisted 
of  two  ships  and  four  schooners  and  thirty  large  open  boats.  We 
are  completely  victorious.  The  enemy  left  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  killed  and  wounded  on  the  field,  among  the  number  seye^d 
officers  of  distinction.  After  having  re-embarked  they  sent  me  a 
flag  desiring  to  have  their  killed  and  wounded  attended  to.  I 
made  them  satisfied  upon  that  subject  Americans  will  be  distin- 
guished for  humanity  and  bravery.  Our  loss  is  not  numerous, 
but  serious  from  the  great  worth  of  those  who  have  fallen.  Lieu- 
tenant  colonel  Mills  was  shot  dead  at  the  commencement  of 
tiie  action,  and  lieutenant  colonel  Bacdius,of  the  1st  regiment  of 
light  dragoons,  nobly  fell  at  the  head  of  his  re^ment  as  victory 
was  declaring  for  us.  I  will  not  presume  to  praise  this  regiment  t 
their  gallant  conduct  on  this  day  merits  much  mere  ^«n  pralsft 


ii 


m  Ml 


m 


w 


,:i 


114 

fihe  new  ship  and  cbnmodore  Chaunce j^s  prize, the  "Duke  «f 
Gloucester,"  are  yet  safe  in  Sackett's  Harbor. 
'     Sir  George  Prevost  landed  and  commanded  in  person.    &t 
James  Yeo  commanded  the  enemy's  fleet.  ^^  < 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JACOB  BROWN. 
'Ifajor  general  Dearborn. 

P.  S.  It  is  very  probable  we  <hall  be  again  attacked,  as  sir 
Oeoi^  Prevost  must  feel  very  sore.  We  are  however  greatly 
reinforced  from  the  country,  ard  br  the  arrival  of  450  regulars 
under  colonel  Tuttle,  who  arrived  very  shortly  after  the  actios 
was  over,  and  I  trust  that  you  may  rest  satisned  that  we  shall 
not  be  disgraced. 


SIR, 


FORT  GEORGZ,  June  6th,  1(18.,  ^^ 


I  have  received  an  express  from  the  head  of  the  lake  thia 
evening,  with  the  intelligence  that  our  troops  were  attacked  at 
8  o'clock  this  morning,  by  the  whole  British  force  and  Indian^  ; 
and  by  some  strange  fatality,  though  our  loss  was  small  and  the 
enemy  was  completely  routed  and  driven  from  the  field,  both 
brigadier  general"  Chandler  and  Winder  were  taken  prisonera. 
They  haa  advanced  to  ascertain  the  situation  of  a  company  of 
artillery,  where  tiie  attack  commenced.  General  Chandler  had 
his  horse  shot  under  him  and  was  bruised  by  the  fall.  General 
Vincent,  their  commander,  is  supposed  to  have  been  killed. 
Colonel  Clark  was  mortally  wounded,  and  fell  into  our  <^ind8» 
with  sixty  prisoners  of  the  49th.  The  command  devolved  on 
colonel  Burn,  who  has  retired  to  the  Forty  Mile  C'^ek.  If 
either  of  the  general  officers  had  remained  in  command,  the  ene- 
my would  have  been  pursued  and  cut  up,  or  if  colonel  Bum  had 
been  afti  officer  of  infantry.  .  The  loss  of  the  enemy  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  prisoners,  must  exceed  two  hundred  ana  fifty.  The 
enemy  sent  in  a  flag  next  morning  with  a  request  to  bury  their 
dead.^  Generals  Lewis  and  Boyd  set  off  immediately  to  join  the 
Advanced  army.  I  never  so  severely  felt  the  want  of  hetUh  as  at 
present,  at  a  time  when  my  services  might  perhaps  be  lAost  useful. 
1  bope  general  Hampton  will  repair  here  as  soon  as  possible. 

Ihavetiiehonm^r  tobe,  &c.        i 

H.  DEilRBORN.     ^ 

Hm.  J<dui  Amutroni^.  1 


If-  ' 


SIR, 


L'OBIENT,  (FRANCE,)  June  13tb,  1813. 


I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  that  the  United  States'  brig 
Argus,  has  arrived  here  in  a  passage  of  23  days,  all  welt  On  our 


Us 

tiftsage  fell  In  with  (in  imrsiiingour  course)  the  British  sehoeiii^r, 
alamanca,  (forinerl  v  tne  King  of  Rome,  of  New  York)  of  260 
tons,  pierced  for  ei^teen  guns,  mounting  six,  and  manned  wift 
sixteen  men.  She  was  from  Oporto,  bound  to  New  Foundiand  in 
ballast ;  captured  and  burnt  her. 

I  shall  immediately  proceed  to  put  in  execution  your  orders  ai 
to  our  ulterior  destinatnm. 

*;,  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Sec. 

*'  WILLIAM  H.  ALLENi 

J^on ,  Wm.  Jonea^  Sccretaiy  of  the  Navy. 


NUGARA,  June  14tli,  1813. 
«Iii,  •  ^        , 

'  You  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  copy  of  orders  marked  1, 
that  general  Dearborn,  from  indisposition,  has  resigned  his  com- 
mandf  not  only  of  the  Niagara  army,  but  oi  the  district.  I  have 
doubts  whether  he  will  ever  again  be  fit  for  service.  He  has  been 
repeatedly  in  a  state  of  convalescence,  but  relapses  on  <he  least 
agitation  of  mind. 

In  my  last  I  mentioned  the  unfortunate  circumstance  of  the 
capture  of  our  two  brigadiers.  Chandler  and  Winder.  The  par* 
ticulars  are  detailed  in  the  report  of  colonel  Bum,  which  he  ^ves 
from  the  best  information  he  could  collect.  His  corps  lay  a  con- 
siderable distance  from  the  scene  of  active  operation,  as  you  will 
perceive  by  the  enclosed  diagram,  which  is  on  a  scale  of  about 
one  hundred  yards  in  the  inch.  The  light  corps  spoken  of,  were 
captains  Hi.idman's,  Nicholas's,  and  Biddle's  company  of  the  2d 
^artillery,  servingas  infantry.  Thcise  three  gentlemen,  and  captains 
Archer  and  Towso!i,  of  the  i>ame  r^ment,  and  Leonard,  oi  the 
Sight  artillery,  arc  soldiers  who  would  honour  any  service.  Thdr 
gallantry.-  and  tiiat  of  their  companies,  was  equally  conspicuous 
\fin  this  occasion  aa  in  the  affair  of  the  srth  ultimo.    A  view  of 

Seneral  Chandler's  encampment  ^ill  be  sufficient  to  show  that  his 
isaster  was  owine  to  its  arrangements.  Its  centre  being  its 
weakest  point,  and  that  being  discovered  by  the  enemy  in  the 
evening,  recjsived  the  combined  attack  of  tKe  whole  iorce,  ami 
his  line  was  completely  cui.  The  g^lantry  of  the  5th,  25^  and 
part  of  the  33d,  and  light  troops,  saved  the  army.  Of  the  5^ 
it  is  said,  that  when  tiie  day  broke,  not  a  man  was  missing— and 
that  a  part  of  the  23d,  under,  major  Armstronet  was  found  sua* 
taining  its  left  flank,  llieir  fire  was  irresistible,  and  the  enemy 
was  compelled  to  give  way. »  Could  he  have  been  pressed  the 
lext  morning,  his  destruction  was  inevitable.  He  was  dispersed  in 
•very  direction,  and  even  his  commanding  general  was  missii^, 
without  his  hat  or  horse.  I  understand  he  was  found  the  next 
morning  almost  famished,  at  a  distance  of  four  miles  from  ^ 
scene  of  action. 


I  i' 


II 


.9« 


1*» 

LituieAant  M'Chesney's  nllanti*)'  recovered  a  )>iec^  of  artiilkry^ 
and  prevented  the  capture  of  others.    He  merits  promotion  for  it^- 

On  the  evening  or  the  6th  of  Jun^,  I  received  the  order  No* 
4,  and  joined  the  army  at  3  in  the  afternoon  of  the  7th.  I  found 
it  at  the  Forty  Mile  Creek,  ten  miles  in  the  rear  of  the  ground 
on  which  it  had  been  attacked,  encamped  on  a  plain  of  a  mile  in 
width,  with  its  right  flank  on  the  la^^e,  and  its  left  on  the  cr^^ek 
which  skirts  the  base  of  a  perpendicular  mountain  of  a  consider-^ 
rable  height    On  mv  route  I  received  No.  5  and  6,  Enclosed.         \ 

At  6  in  the  evenmg,  the  hostile  fl>^et  hove  ixi  sight,  though  Hm  , 
character  could  not  be  ascertained  with  precision.  We  hj  ou  our 
arms  all  night.  At  dawn  of  day  struck  our  ten^v^,  and  descried 
the  hostile  squadron  abreast  of  us,  abou^  a  mile  T  t>m  the  bhore* 
Our  boais  which  transported  the  principal  part  ofourbas^niage  and 
camp  equipage  lay  on  the  beach  ;  it  was  a  aead  calm,  and  about  d» 
theeneinj  t(t\ved  m  a  large  pchooiier,  which  opened  iierfireou  our 
boats.  As  30v'»n  as  8ju>  «fo(>d  for  the  shore,  her  object  being  sjvi(l«nt^ 
I  ordered  down  Archer's  and  Towson's  companies,  with  ioup 
pieces  of  artillery,  tv  vi\fii:-,i  her  attempts.  I,  at  the  same  timegi 
sent  captain  Totten,  of  flic  e.?«,'jjintj*ns  (a  most  valuable  officer)  to 
construct  a  temporary  fvr'ice  for  heating  shot,  which  was  pre- 
pared and  in  operation  i"  ]e<s  than  30  minutes.  Her  fire  was  re- 
turned with  a  vivacity  and  effect  (excelled  by  no  artillery  in  the 
universe^  Mrhich  soon  compelled  her  to  retire.  A  party  of  savn^a 
BOW  maae  their  appearance  on  the  brow  of  the  mountun,  ^wiixck 
being  perfectly  baldf,  exhibited  them  to  our  view,)  and  commenced 
a  fire  on  our  camp.  I  ordered  colonel  Chrystie  to  dislodge  them* 
who  entered  on  tne  service  with  alacrity,  but  found  himself  antici- 
pated by  lieutenant  Eldridge,  the  adjutant  of  his  reg^ment/who, 
witii  a  promptness  and  gallantry  highly  honourable  to  that  young 
ofiicer,  iiad  already  gained  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  with  a 
party  oil  volunteers,  and  routed  the  barbarian  allies  of  the  defender 
of  the  Christian  faith.  This  young  man  merits  the  notice  of  go- 
vernment. 

These  little  affairs  cost  us  not  a  man.  Qir  James  Yeo,  being 
disappointed  of  a  tragiedy,  next  determined,  in  true  dramatic  style, 
to  amuse  us  with  a  farce.  An  officer,  with  a  flac,  was  sent  to  me 
from  bis  ship,  advising  me,  that  as  I  was  invested  with  savages  in 
my  rear,  a  fleet  in  my  front,  and  a  powerful  army  on  my  flank»  he, 
and  the  officers  commanding  his  Britannic  majesty's  land  forces, 
thought  it  their  duty  to  demand  a  surrender  of  mj^  army^  I  an- 
flwered,  that  the  message  was  too  ridiculous  to  merit  a  reply.       \ 

No.  r  was  delivered  to  me,  about  6  this  morning;  between  7 
and  8  o'clock,  the  four  wagons  we  had,  being  loaded,  first  witii  the 
sick,  and  next  with  the  ammunition,  &c.  the  residue  of  ctaop 
equipage  and  baggage  was  put  in  boats,  and  a  detachment  of  200 
men  of  the  6th  regiment,  detailed  to  proceed  in  tiiem.  Orders 
were  prepared  to  be  given  them  to  defend  the  boats,  and  if  as- 
sailed by  any  of  the  enemy's  small  vessels,  to  carry  tiiem  bf 


I"!'  m 


kMrding.  By  some  irregularitj,  which  I  have  not  been  able  to 
discover,  the  boatb  put  off  without  the  detachments,  induced  pro> 
bably  by  the  stillness  of  the  morning.  When  they  had  progressed 
about  three  miles,  a  breeze  sprang  up,  and  an  armea  scnooner 
overhauled  them ;  those  who  were  enterprizinlg  kept  on  and  es- 
caped, others  ran  to  the  shore  and  deserted  their  boats;  we  lost 
twelve  of  the  number,  principally  containing  the  baggage  of  the 
officers  and  men. 

At  ten,  I  put  the  ariny  in  motion,  on  our  return  to  this  place. 
The  savages  and  incorporated  militia  huns  oft  our  flanks  ana  rear 
throu^out  the  march,  and  picked  up  a.  lew  stra^lers.  On  our 
retiring,  the  British  army  advanced,  and  now  occupy  the  ground 
we  left. 

The  enemy's  fleet  is  constantly  hovering  on  our  coast,  and  in- 
terrupting our  supplies.  The  night  before  last,  being  advised  ot 
their  naving  chased  into  Eighteen  Mile  Creek,  two  vessels  laden 
with  hospital  stores,  &c.  I  detached  at  midnight,  75  men  for  their 
protection.  The  report  of  the  day  is  (though  not  official)  that  they 
irrived  too  late  for  tneir  purpose,  and  tnat  the  stores  were  lost. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

MORGAN  LEWISv 

JIonound>le  John  Armstrong, 

Secretuy  (tf  War. 

Bepwrt  ofkUUd,  wounded  and  missing,  in  the  action  of  the  Gth  qf 

June,  at  6toney  Creek, 


KUled, 

Wounded, 

Itiasing, 


ir 

38 
99 


ToH 


154 


HAUFAIC,  June  15th,  1813. 

The  unfortunate  death  of  captain  James  Lawrence,  and  lieu- 
.tenant  Auguatus  C.  Ludlow,  has  rendered  it  my  duty  to  inform 
you  crif  ^e  capture  of  the  late  United  States'  frigate  Chesapeake. 
On  Tuesday,  June  Ist,  at  8  A.  M.  we  unmoored  ship,  and  at 
meridian  got  under  weigh  from  President's  Roads,  with  a  lij^t 
vind  from  the  southward  and  westward,  and  proceeded  on  a  cruise. 
A  ship  was  then  in  sight  in  the  offing,  which  had  the  appearance 
of  a  snip  of  war,  and  which,  from  information  received  from  pilot- 
boats  and  crtSt,  we  believed  to  be  the  British  frigate  Shannon. 
We  made  sail  in  chase,  and  cleared  ship  for  action.  At  half  past 
4  P.  M.  she  hove  to  with  her  head  to  the  southward  and  eastward. 
At  5  P.  M.  i/Hk  \m  the  royals  and  top-gallant  saili^  and  at  h»Kf 


^^  i 


I 


1«8 

past  5,  hauled  the  emirms  up.  ^  About  15  minutes  before  6  P.  Mi 
the  action  commenced  within  pistol  shot.  The  first  broadside  did 
great  execution  on  both  sides,  damaged  our  rig^ng,  killed,  among 
others,  Mr.  White  the  sailing  master,  and  wounded  captain  Law- 
rence. In  about  1  ^  minutes  after  the  commencement  ot  the  actioui^ 
we  fell  on  board  of  the  enemy,  &nd  immediately  after,  one  of  our 
arm  chests  on  the  quarter-deck  was  blown  up  oy  a  hand-grenade 
thrown  from  the  enemy's  ship.  In  a  few  minutes,  one  of  the  cap- 
tain's aids  came  on  the  gun-deck  to  inform  me  that  the  boarders- 
were  called.  I  immediately  called  the  boarders  away,  and  proi^ 
ceeded  to  the  spar-deck,  where  I  found  that  the  enemy  had  sue  > 
ceeded  in  boarding  us,  and  gained  possession  of  our  quarter  deck. 
I  immediately  gave  orders  to  haul  on  board  the  fore-tack,  for  the 
purpose  of  shooting  the  ship  clear  of  the  other,  and  then  made  an 
attempt  to  re -gain  the  quarter-deck,  but  was  wounded  and  thrown 
down  on  the  ^un-deck.  I  again  made  an  effort  to  collect  the 
boarders,  but  in  the  mean  time  the  enemy  had  gained  complete 
possession  of  the  ship.  On  my  being  carried  down  in  the  cock- 
pit, I  there  found  captain  Lawrence  and  lieutenant  ludlow,  both' 
mortally  wounded ;  the  former  had  been  carried  below,  previously 
to  the  ship's  being  boarded ;  the  latter  was  wounded  in  attempting 
to  repel  tne  boarders.  Among  those  who  fell  early  in  the  action, 
was  Mr.  Edward  J.  Ballard,  the  4th  lieutenant,  and  lieutenant 
James  Broom,  of  marines. 

I  herein  enclose  you  a  return  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  by 
which  you  will  perceive  that  every  officer,  upon  whom  the  charse 
ofthe  snip  would  devolve,  was  either  killed  or  wounded,  previously 
to  her  capture.  The  enemy  report  the  loss  of  Mr.  Watt,  their  first 
lieutenant,  the  purser,  the  captain's  clerk,  and  23  seamen  killed  i 
and  captain  Broke,  a  midshipman,  and  56  seamen  wounded. 

The  Shannon,  had,  in  addition  to  her  full  complement  an  officer 
and  16  men  belonging  to  the  Belle  Poule,  and  a  part  of  the  crew 
belonging  to  the  Tenedos.  -r 

I  have  the  honour  be,  &c. 

GEORGE  BUDD. 

The  Hon.  William  Jones, 

Secretary  of  the  Navy,  WashbgtoOi 


1^ 


-TV  1 


H 

iff-  s 


Setum  of  killed  and  wounded  on  board  the  Chesapeake,  in  hey-^- 
action  with  the  Shannon. 


IS&cd— OfRcera,     •     .     . 
Seamen,       •      •    •• 
Marinea,    ... 

10 
S6 
11 

Wounded—OiBcerB, 

Seamen,    .     .      . 
Marines, 

Total  woooded. 

30 

Total  killed. 

47 

98 

mmmmm 

MhMw 

.*fc 


SACKETT'S  HARBOR,  June  18tb<  1810, 
SIR,  «.  ,        » 

According  to  jour  orders  of  the  14th  instant,  I  proceeded  oC 
Presque  Isle,  in  the  schooner  Ladjr  of  the  Lake.    On  the  morninf; 
of  the  16th  fell  in  with  and  captured  the  English  schooner  Ladjr 
Murray,  from  Kingston,  bound  to  York,  loaded  with  provisionn 
and  ammunition. 

Enclosed  is  a  list  of  one  ensign,  fifteen  non-commissioned  offi* 
cers  and  privates,  found  on  boutl,  with  six  mev  attached  to  the> 
vessel. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

WOLCOTT  CHAUNCEY^ 
'Commodore  Chauncey. 


MONTREAL,  June  18th,  1813> 

I  deem  it  my  duty  to  embrace  the  earliest  opportunity  possi-' 
ble  to  give  you  a  more  detailed  account  of  the  anair  of  the  6th  in- 
stant near  Ston^  Creek,  than  I  have  before  had  it  in  mypower  to  do. 
On  the  morning  of  the  5th  I  arrived  at  Forty  Mile  Creek.  Th© 
detachment  under  general  Winder  was  then  under  marchinar 
orders  fbr  Stony  Creek.  After  a  short  halt  the  whole  marchea 
lor  that  place  and  arrived  there  between  five  and  six  o'clock,  P.  M, 
at  which  place  a  small  picket  of  the  enemy  was  posted,  but  retired^ 
on  our  approach.  The  advanced  guard  pursued,  and  soon  fell  iq. 
with  a  picket  of  about  100  strong,  under  colonel  Williams.  A 
skinnisn  ensued.  I  hastened  to  the  main  body.  Williams  retreat- 
ed, and  our  advance  pursued.  The  pursuit  was  continued  rathev 
longer  than  I  could  have  wished,  but  returned  to  their  proper  posi- 
tion in  the  line  of  march,  not  far  from  sun-set.  I  had  ordered  tb«. 
13th  and  14th,  who  were  in  the  rear,  to  take  a  position  for  the 
might,  near  the  mouth  of  tlie  creek,  to  cover  the  boats,  (should 
ihey  arrive)  which  would  be  on  the  route  which  i  intended  to  pur- 
sue the  next  inorning;  and  a  favourable  position  presenting  itself, 
I  encamped  with  the  residue  of  the  troops  (except  captain  Archer'a 
company  of  artillerv,  which  encamped  witn  the  13th  and  14th)  on 
the  spot  where  we  had  halted,  with  an  advanced  picket  from  naif 
to  three  quarters  of  a  mile  in  front,  with  express  oi-ders  for  them  to 
keep  out  constantly  a  patrole.  A  right  and  left  flank  guard  and  a 
rear  guard  were  also  posted,  I  gave  positive  orders  for  the  troops 
to  lay  on  their  arms.  Contrary  to  my  orders  fires  were  kindled ; 
but  there  are  doubts  whether  tfiis  operated  for  or  against  us,  as  the 
fires  of  the.  S3th,  which  were  in  tront,  and  by  my  orders  "had 
been  alMndoned,  enabled  us  to  see  a  small  part  of  the  enemy, 
while  the  fires  on  our  left  enabled  the  enemy  to  see  our  line.  On 
the  whole,  I  thitik  it  operated  against  us.  I  did  expect  the  enemy 
would  attack  us  that  night,  if  he  intended  to  fight;  but  perhaps 
*^'   waa  Boi  expected  by  ail.    I  had  my  horse  confint^d  near  mei, 

22 


•V' 


170 


;■; !;. 


Ir 


and  directed  that  the  hanieis  ehould  not  be  taken  from  the  artil- 
lery horses.  I  directed  where  and  how  the  line  should  be  formed, 
in  case  of  attack.  Aboat  an  hour  before  day-light  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  6th,  the  alarm  was  givent  I  wan  instantlr  up,  and  the 
S5th,  which  lay  near  me,  wa«  almost  as  instantly  rormed,  as  well 
as  the  5th  ana  2Sd,  which  was  on  the  left,  under  the  immediate 
eye  of  general  Winder.  Owinj  to  the  neglect  of  the  front 
picket,  or  some  other  cause,  the  British  forces  say  that  they  were 
not  hailed,  or  an  alarm  given,  until  they  were  within  300  ^ards 
of  our  line.  The  extreme  darkness  prevented  us  from  seeing  or 
knowing  at  what  point  they  intended  to  attack  us,  until  an  attack 
was  mtde  upon  our  right  A  well  directed  fire  was  opened  upon 
them  from  the  23th,  and  from  nearly  the  whole  line.  After  a  few 
minutes  I  heard  several  muskets  in  our  rear,  in  the  direction  of 
the  rear  guard,  and  then  expected  that  the.  enemy  had  gained  our 
rear  by  some  path  unkown  to  us,  ani  was  about  to  attack  us  in 
the  rear.  I  instantly  ordered  colon  \.  Milton,  with  the  5th,  to 
form  in  our  rear  near  the  woods,  to  meet  such  circumstances  as 
mi^ht  take  place,  knowing  tliat  I  could  call  him  to  any  other 
point  if  necessary,  at  any  moment.  I  had  observed  that  the  ar- 
uUenr  was  not  covered,  and  directed  general  Winder  to  cause  the 
2Sd  to  be  formed  so  far  to  the  risht,  that  their  right  should  cover 
the  artillery.  At  this  moment  I  heard  a  new  burst  of  fire  from 
the  enemy's  left,  on  our  right,  and  not  able  to  see  any  thing  which 
took  place,  I  set  out  full  speed  towards  the  right,  to  take  mea- 
sures to  prevent  my  ri^^t  flsnk  from  beine  turned,  which  I  ex- 
pected was  the  object  of  the  enemy.  I  had  proceeded  but  a  few 
yards  before  my  horse  fell  under  nie,  by  which  fall  I  received  a 
serious  injury.  Here  was  a  time  when  1  have  no  recollection  of 
what  passed,  but  I  presume  it  was  not  long.  As  soon  as  I  re- 
covered, I  recollected  what  my  object  was,  and  made  mv  way  to 
the  right,  and  gave  jnajor  Smith  such  directions  as  I  thought 
proper,  to  preveniMs  right  from  being  turned  by  surprise.  I  waa 
then  returning  toward  the  centre,  and  Svhen  near  the  artillery, 
hrard  men,  \mOf  by  the  noise,  appeared  to  be  iu  confuHion,  it 
being  the  point  at  which  I  expectea  tiie  23d  to  be  formed ;  I  ex- 
pected it  was  that  re^ment. 

I  a|qnt>ached  them,  and  as  soon  as  I  was  near  enough,  I  saw  a 
body  of  men,  who  I  thouglit  to  be  the  23d,  in  the  rear  of  the  ar- 
tillery, broken.  I  hobbled  in  atnongfit  them,  and  began  to  rally 
them,  and  directed  them  to  form ;  out  I  soon  found  my  mistake; 
it  was  the  Critish  49th  who  had  pushed  forward  to  the  head  of 
their  column,  and  gained  the  rear  of  thn  artillery.  I  was  imme- 
dbtely  disarmed,  and  conveyed  down  the  column  to  its  rear.  It 
was  not  yet  day,  and  the  extreme  darkness  of  the  night,  to  which 
was  added  the  smoke  of  the  fire,  put  it  totally  out  of  our  power 
to  see  the  situation  of  the  enemy.  I1iis  was  aU  tiiat  saved  their 
columns  firtHn  sure  Jtnd  total  destruction,  of  widch  son'  of  ^ehr 
are  aware.    After  seeing  the  situation  of  the  column  as  t, 


171 

MiMd,  I  did  hope  and  expect  that  genera)  Winder,  on  tiiA 
first  dawn  of  light,  would  see  their  situation,  and  brini|[  colonel 
Milton  with  the  5th  (whom  I  had  atill  kept  in  reserve  until  I  could 
have  daj-Iight  to  discern  their  situation)  to  attack  this  column, 
which  I  am  sure  he  would  have  done  to  advantage ;  but,  to  my 
mortification,  I  soon  learned  that  he  had  fallen  into  the  same  mis- 
take with  mjself ;  and  by  endeavouring  to  learn  what  was  taking 
place  in  the  centre,  he  was  also  taken,  as  well  as  major  Van  De 
Venter.  To  the  extreme  darkness  of  the  niglit,  the  enemy's 
knowledge  of  his  intended  point  of  attack,  and  our  not  know- 
ing at  what  point  to  expect  him,  must  be  attributed  this  partial 
success,  ana  not  to  a  want  of  strength  or  bravery  in  our  troops* 
who  generally  behaved  remarkably  w«ll  under  all  circumstances; 
and  however  unfortunate  the  event,  as  it  relates  to  myself,  I  only 
ask  that  all  the  circumstances  may  be  taken  into  consideration,  in 
making  up  vour  opinion  upon  the  conduct  of  general  Winder 
and  myself  in  this  affair,  which  I  am  sure  you  will  do,  and  I  flatter 
myself  you  will  see  no  cause  of  censure.  I  regret  that  my  decre* 
pid  situation,  and  the  rapidity  with  which  we  have  been  brousht 
to  this  place,  has  put  it  out  of  luy  power  to  give  you  a  detailed 
account  oi  the  aflfkir  earlier.  I  am  now  able  to  walk  some  with 
the  aid  of  a  cane,  and  hope  I  shall  continue  to  recover. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
JOHN  CHANDLER, 

Mrigadier  Generah 
Mi^jor  General  Dcurbom. 


i 


of 


I 


NAVY  YARD,  GOSPORT,  June  21st,  1813. 

SIR, 

On  Saturday,  at  U  P.  M.  captain  Tarbell  moved  with  tht 
flotilla  under  his  command,  consisting  of  15  gun-boats  In  two 
divisions  i  lieutenant  John  M.  Gardner,  1st  division,  and  lieutenant 
Robert  Henley,  the  Sd,  manned  from  the  frigate ;  and  50  muaket- 
teers  general  Taylor  <n^ered  from  Craney  Island,  and  proceeded 
down  the  river ;  but  adverse  winds  ana  squalls  prevents '^  K'S 
approaching  the  enemy  until  Sunday  morning  at  4  P.  M.  whtsFi 
the  flotilla  commenced  a  heavy  galling  fire  on  a  frigate,  at  ^^at 
three  auarters  of  a  mile  distance,  lying  well  up  the  roadi>,  tww 
other  rrigates  lying  in  sight.    At  half  past  4  a  breeze  sprung  up 
from  east  north  east,  which  enabled  the  two  frigates  to  get  under 
way,  one  a  razee  or  very  heavy  ship,  and  the  other  a  frigate,  to 
come  near  into  the  action.    The  boats  in  consequence  of  their 
approach  hauled  off,  though  keeping  up  a  well  directed  fire  on  th* 
razee,  and  other  ship,  which  gave  us  several  broadsides.    The  fri- 
gate first  engaged,  suppoeedto  be  the  Junon,  was  certainly  very 
severely  handled.    lUd  the  calm  continued  one  half  hour,  that 
frigate  must  have  fallen  iato,  our  hands  or  boss  destrojod.    Sbe 


;i*'''l'l?''   '?• 


171 


'■^i 


wist  have  ftlipt  her  ttooring  eo  at  to  Artip  M$nr  th«  HzH,  wh« 
had  all  sails  aet  coming  up  to  her  with  tha  other  frigate.  'I1)« 
action  continued  one  hour  and  a  half  with  the  three  ahipa.  Shortly 
after  the  action  the  razee  j^t  along  aide  of  the  ahip.  and  had  her 
upon  a  deep  careen  in  a  little  time  with  a  number  of  boats  an4 
•tagea  round  her.  1  am  aatisfied  considerable  damage  was  done 
to  her,  for  she  was  silenced  some  time,  until  the  razee  opened  her 
fire,  when  she  commenced  again.  Our  loss  if  very  trifling.  Mr. 
Allison,  master's  mate  on  board  number  139,  was  killed  earl j  JR 
the  action  by  an  eighteen  pound  ball,  which  passed  through  nim 
and,  lodged  in  the  maat.  Plumber  154  had  a  shot  between  wind 
«nd  water.  Number  67  had  her  franklin  s^t  away,  apd  several 
of  titein  had  some  of  their  sweeps  as  well  as  their  atauntions  shot 
away ;  but  two  men  ali^htly  ii\)ured  by  tike  nplinters  from  tho 
«wee^B.  On  the  flood  tide  several  ships  of  the  line  and  fng&tea 
came  into  the  roads,  and  we  did  expect  an  attack  last  night.  Tnere 
ere  now  in  the  roads  thirteen  ships  of  tlie  line  and  mgates,  one 
brig  and  several  tenders. 

f  cannot  say  too  much  of  the  oflicers  and  men  on  this  occasion* 
for  every  man  appeared  to  go  into  action  with  so  much  cheerful- 
ness, apparentl;^  to  do  their  duty,  resolved  to  conquer.  I  had  a 
better  opportunity  of  discovering  their  actions  than  any  one  elsc^ 
being  in  my  boat  the  whole  of  the  action. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JOHN  CASSIN. 
Tke  Sccretaty  of  the  Navy. 


■Hj 


1 


!il 


ATTACK  UPON  CRANEY  ISLAND. 

NAVY  YARD,  GOSPORT,  June  23d,  1819. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  inform  tou  that  on  the  SOth  the  enemr 
got  under  way,  in  all  thirteen  sail,  and  dropped  up  to  the  mouth 
of  James  River,  one  ship  bearing  a  flag  at  the  mizen.  At  5  P.  M. 
-were  discovered  making  great  preparation  with  troops  for  landings 
liaving  a  number  of  boats  for  the  purpose.  Finding  Craney  Island 
rather  weak  manned,  captain  Tarbell  directed  lieutenants  Neale* 
Shubrlck  and  Sanders,  with  100  seamen  on  shore,  at  11  A.  M.  to 
a  small  battery  on  the  north  west  point  of  the  island.  Tuesday 
22d;  at  the  dawn,  the  enemy  were  discovered  landing  round  the 
Doint  oi  Nansemond  River,  said  to  be  4,000  troops ;  and  at  8  A.^ 
M.  the  barges  attempted  to  land  in  front  of  the  island,  oat  of  r^dr 
of  the  shot  from  the  gun-boats,  when  lieutenants  Neale,  Skubrick 
and  Sanders,  with  the  sailors;  and  lieutenant  BrackentiddM,  witk 
the  marines  of  the  Constellation,  150  in  number,  <^ned  uie  fire, 
which  was  so  well  directed,  that  the  enemy  were  glad  to  set  off, 
after  sinking  three  of  their  largest  boats.  One  of  them,  cal&d  the 
Centipede,  admiral  Wanw's  boat .  fifty  feetia  length,  carried  rff 


nil 

ttoi,  the  greftter  put  of  whom  wore  loit  bj  her  linking.  Twenf^ 
•oldien  and  tailorR  were  MTod,  end  the  boats  hauled  up.  I  pro- 
•ume  there  were  fortj  fell  back  in  the  rear  of  the  island,  and 
.oommenced  throwing  rockets  from  Mr.  Wise's  houses;  when 
gun-boat  67  threw  alew  shots  orer  that  way,  thej  dispersed  and 
went  back. 

We  have  had  all  day  deserters  from  the  army  coming  in ;  I 
have  myself  taken  in  25,  and  18  prisoners  belonging  to  the  Cen^ 
iipede. 

The  officers  of  the  Constellation  fired  their  18  pounder  more 
like  riflemen  than  artillerists.  I  never  saw  such  shooting,  and 
seriously  believe  they  saved  the  island.  In  the  evening  their  boats 
came  round  the  point  of  Nansemond,  and  at  sun-set  were  seen 
returning  to  their  ships  full  of  men.  At  dusk  they  strewed  the 
shore  along  with  fires,  in  order  to  runawav  by  the  light. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JOHN  CASSIN. 
t%o  honounble  WilUam  Jones, 

Ascntaiy  of  >tfM  Navy. 


AFFAIR  AT  BEAVER  DAMS. 


4 


i 


«m, 


70RT  GEORGE,  June  35th,  1811 


I  have  the  mortification  of  informing  you  of  an  unfortunate 
and  unaccountable  event  which  occurred  yesterday.  On  the  2dd, 
at  evening,  colonel  Boerstlo'  with  570  men,  infantry,  artillery, 
cavalry  and  Hflemen,  in  due  proportion,  was  ordered  to  march, 
by  tile  way  of  Queenstown,  to  a  place  called  the  Beaver  Dams,  on 
the  high  ground,  about  eight  or  nine  miles  from  Queenstown,  t» 
attack  and  disperse  a  body  of  the  enemy  collected  tiiere  for  the 
purpose  of  procuring  provisions  and  harassing  those' inhabitantg 
who  are  considered  friendly  to  the  United  States ;  their  force  mm, 
from  the  most  direct  information,  conmosed  of  one  company  of 


was  attacked  from  an  ambuscade,  but  soon  drove  the  enemy  some 
distance  into  the  woods,  and  then  retired  to  a  elear  field,  and  sent 
an  express  for  a  reinforcement,  saying  he  would  maintain  his  po8F<- 
tion  until  reinforced.  A  reinforcement  of  800  men,  marched 
immediately,  under  the  command  of  colonel  Chrvstte;  but  on  ar- 
riving atl^enstown,  colonel  Chrystie  receivea  authentic  infbr- 
matimi,  that  lieutenant  colonel  Boerstleri  with  his  command,  had 
suvrendered  to  the  enemy,  and  the  reinforcement  returned  to  camp. 
A  man  who  belonged  to  a  small  corps  of  volunteer  riflemen,  came 
ih  this  menring,  who  statel  tfiat  fhe  enemy  surrounded  oiv  de<* 


it 


li- 


lit 


1^4 

■teehment  in  the  woods,  and  towanis  12  o'clock,  comnr^iced  a 
general  attack;  that  our  troops  fouffht  more  than  two  hovs,  until 
the  artillery  had  expended  the  whole  of  its  ammunition,  anu  then 
surrendered,  and  at  the  time  of  the  surrender,  the  iaformant 
made  his  escape.  Why  it  should  have  been  deemed  proper  to 
remain  several  hours  in  a  position  surrounded  with  \yood8,  without 
either  risking  a  decisive  action,  or  effecting  a  retreat,  remains  to 
be  accountedfor,  as  well  as  the  project  of  waiting  for  a  reinforce' 
ment,  from  a  distance  of  15  or  16  miles. 

No  information  has  been  received  of  the  killed  or  wounded. 
The  e;.einy's  fleet  has  again  arrived  in  our  neighbourhood. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  DEARBORN. 
The  Secretaiy  of  War. 


U.  S,  FLOTILLA,  CAPE  MAY,  June  29th,  l6l3. 


',  i^  ^■ 


ill 


■«     S : 


..S 


SIR,  ^ 

Laying  off  Dennis's  Creek  this  morning,  I  discovered  that 
an  enemy's  sloop  of  war  had  chased  a  small  vessel,  and  had  taken 
her  near  the  Overfaiis.  I  immediately  got  under  weigh  and 
stood  down  the  bay.  The  sloop  of  war  stood  so  near  the  Over- 
falls that  she  grounded  slightly  on  the  outer  ridge  of  Crow's 
Shoals.  I  thought  proper  to  endeavour  to  bring  him  to  action. 
I  succeeded  and  ^t  within  three  quarters  of  a  mde,  and  anchor- 
ed the  boats  (consisting  of  eight  gun  boats  and  two  block  sloops) 
in  a  line  ahead.  A  heavy  frigate  had  by  this  time  anchored  about 
a  half  mile  further  out.  After  a  cannonade  of  one  hour  and  forty- 
five  minutes,  in  which  the  ships  kept  up  a  constant  and  heavy  fire, 
heaving  their  shot  from  a  halt  to  three  quarters  of  a  mile  over  us, 
they  doing  us  little  or  no  dama^,  their  shot  seldom  striking  us,  the 
sloop  of  war  and  frigate  finding  our  shot  to  tell  on  their  hulls, 
manned  their  boats,  ten  in  number,  (  2  launches,  the  rest  large 
barges  and  cutters)  with  from  30  to  40  men  each,  and  despatched 
tliem  after  gun  boat  No.  121,  sailing  marter  Shead,  which  had  un- 
fortunately fell  a  mile  and  a  half  out  of  the  line,  althourii  it  had 
been  my  possitive  and  express  orders  to  anchor  at  h^f  cable 
length  apart,  and  not  further.  From  the  strong  ebb  tide  they 
succeeded  in  capturing  her,  after  a  gallant  resistance,  ffor  three 
times  did  N<).  121  discnar^e  her  long  gun,  apparentiy  full  of  can- 
nlster,  among  the  whole  line  of  boats,  when  at  a  very  short  dis- 
tance, which  must  have  done  execution,  and  not  till  after  he  was 
boarded  did  the  colours  come  down)  before  any  assistance  could  be 

S'ven  her :  however,  we  got  near  enough  to  destroy  three  or  four  of 
eir  boats,  and  must  have  killed  a  vast  number  of  men.  It  being  a 
calm,  they  succeeded  in  getting  her  away,  by  sending  all  their 
boats  ahead  and  towing  her,  but  nave  paid  dearly  for  their  temer- 
ity ;  they  must  at  least liave  had  one-third  of  tbeir  men  killed  and 


175 

wounded.  THey  put  one  shot  throudi  the  foot  of  the  Buffaloed 
jib,  and  one  through  the  under  part  m  the  bowsprit,  and  cut  gun 
boat  No.  125,  sailing  master  L.  Moleire's  rigging  in  several 
places,  and  an  eigjhteen  pound  shot  struck  her  lung  gun  and  in- 
dented it  several  inches ;  but  happy  am  I  to  say,  uiat  not  a  man 
was  wounded  in  any  of  the  boats,  except  the  one  captured,  and 
have  not  yet  learned  their  &te.  I  feel  much  indebted  to  lieuten- 
ant Mitchell,  and  officers  commanding  gun  boats,  for  their  spirit- 
ed conduct  in  carrying  into  execution  my  orders ;  and  if  i  may 
.judge  from  the  gallant  resistance  made  by  sailing  master  Sheadf* 
in  engaging  when  surrounded  by  the  boats  of  ^e  enemy,  ttuit 
every  officer  and  man  of  the  flotilfa^will  do  their  duty  in  all  situa- 
tionst 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
SAMUEL  ANGUS, 
Commanding  U,  8.  DeL  flotilla* 

P.  S.  The  action  commenced  at  7  minutes  before  1  P.  M.  and 
ended  at  37  minutes  after  2  P.  M. 


i'  h 


Wm'^^ 


U.  S.  FRIGATE  ESSEX,  PACIFIC  OCEAN, 

July  2d,  1813. 

SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  that  on  the  29th  of  April,  ill 
the  latitude  of  40  north,  longitude  91  Id  west,  about  20  miles  to 
the  northward  of  the  island  of  Albermarle,  one  of  the  Gallapagos, 
in  the  Pacific  Ocean,  I  captured  the  British  ship  Montezuma ; 
two  others  being  in  sight,  close  together,  distant  from  us  about 
7  miles,  which  we  were  informed  were  the  British  letters  of 
marque  ships  Policy  and  Geurgiana ;  the  first  mounting  10  guns, 
6  and  9  pounders;  the  other  six  18  pounders,  4  swivels,  and  6 
long  blunderbusses  mounted  on  swivels.  The  wind  being  ligh^ 
and  variable,  and  coufidiug  greatly  in  the  bravery  and  enterprise 
of  my  officers  and  men,  and  apprehensive  of  their  escape  from 
the  prevalence  of  fogs  in  that  climate,  1  directed  the  boats  of  this 
ship  to  be  armed  and  manned,  and  divided  into  two  divisions, 
placing  the  first  under  the  command  of  lieutenant  Downes,  1st 
lieutenant,  in  a  whale  boat,  accompanied  by  midshipman  Farra- 
gutt.  The  officers  in  command  of  boats  under  lieutenant  Downes, 
were  lieutenant  S.  D.  M'Knight,  in  the  3d  cutt<^r,  accompanied 
by  midshipman  W.  II.  Odenheimer,  sailing  master  John  P.  Cow- 
ell,  in  the  jolly  boat,  accompanied  by  midshipman  H.  W.  Og^den, 
and  midshipman  George  Isaacs,  in  the  2d  cutter.  The  2d  division 
under  the  command  oT  lieutenant  Wiliner,  2d  lieutenant  in  the 
pinnace,  accompanied  by  midshipman  Henry  Gray,  and  master's 
mate  James  Terror ;  lieutenant  SYilsou  and  Mr.  Shaw,  purser,  in 
the  ist  cutter«  and  lieutenant  Gamble,  of  the  marines,  in  the  gig. 


*7^ 


Suitable  s^als  were  esjUiblished,  and  etob  boat  had  her  particilt&r' 
•tation  pointed  out  for  the  attack,  and  every  other  previous  ar- 
rangement was  niade  to  prevent  confusion.  The  boats,  seven  ii> 
number,  rowed  off  in  admirable  order.  Guns  were  fired  from  the 
enemy  to  terrify  them ;  they  rowed  up  under  the  muzzles  of  ^e 
guns  and  took  their  stations  for  attacking  the  first  ship,  and  no 
sooner  was  the  American  flag  disj[rfayed  by  lieutenant  Downes,  as 
the  signal  for  boarding,  and  the  intention  was  discovered  by  the 
enemy,  than  the  colours  were  struck,  without  a  shot  being  fired ; 
«o  much  were  they  daunted  by  the  intrepidity  of  our  brave  officers 
and  men.  They  then  left  a  crew  on  beard  the  prize  and  took  their 
stations  for  attacking  the  other  vessel,  when  her  fliag  was  also 
struck,  on  the  first  call  to  surrender.  Thus  were  two  nne  British 
ships,  each  pierced  for  20  guns,  worth  near  half  a  million  of  dollars, 
mounting  between  them  16  guns  and  manned  with  55  men,  well 
supplied  witli  ammunition  and  small  arms,  surrendered,  without 
the  slightest  resistance,  to  seven  small  open  boats,  with  fifty  men» 
armed  only  with  muskets,  pistols,  boaroing-axes,  and  cutlasses ! 
Be  assured,  sir,  that  Britons  have  either  learned  to  respect  the 
courage  of  Americans,  or  they  are  not  so  courageous  themselveil 
as  they  would  wish  us  to  believe. 

I  have  tlie  honour  to  be  yours,  &c. 

O.  IPORTER: 

The  Secretary  rf  the  Navy,  at  Washington.  - 


^4 


sflR. 


V.  S.  FRIGATE  ESSEX,  AT  SEA, 

Pacific  Ocean,  July  2d,  1813. 


On  the  23d  March  last,  I  sailed  from 


shaping  m^ 


course  to  the  northward,  and  on  the  26th  of  the  same  month  fell 
in  with  the  Peruvian  corsair  ship  Nereyda,  mounting  15  guns. 
She  had,  a  few  days  before,  captured  two  American  whale  utips, 
tiie  crews  of  which  (amounting  in  number  to  twenty-four  men) 
were  then  detained  prisoners  on  board  her ;  and  they  cculd  assign 
no  other  motive  for  the  capture,  than  that  they  were  the  allies  oi' 
Great  Britain,  and  as  such  should  capture  all  American  vessels 
they  could  fall  in  with ;  therefore,  to  prevent  in  future  such  vexa< 
tions  proceedings,  I  threw  all  her  armament  into  the  sea,  liberated 
the  Americans,  and  dismissed  the  Nereyda.  I  then  proceeded 
with  all  jpossible  desnatch  for  Lima,  to  intercept  one  of  the  detaih« 
ed  vessels,  which  had  parted  with  tha  Nereyda  only  three  days 
before,  and  I  was  so  fcntunate  as  to  arrive  thctc'  aiid  re-capture 
her  on  the  5th  of  April,  ai  che  moment  she  was  entering  the  port 
This  vessel  (the  ship  Barclay,  captain  Gideon  Randall,  of  New 
Bedford)  I  toek  fin«er  my  protectito,  and  have  iMtd  kmr  with  19^ 
evmraince. 


\ 


177 

Froiih  Lima  I  |nr(N:«eded  to  the  Gallapagos  Islands*  where  t 
ruptured  the  following  British  ships,  viz : 

Ldters  of  Marque, 


Montezuma* 

270  tons. 

21  men. 

2  guns 

Policy, 

275 

26 

10 

Georgiana, 

280 

25 

6 

Atlantic, 

351 

24 

8 

Greenwich, 

S38 

25 

10 

The  Georgiana  being  reputed  a  very  fast  sailer,  and  apparently 
%ell  calculated  for  a  criiiser,  I  mounted  16  guns  on  her,  and  gave 
the  command  of  her  to  that  excellent  officer,  lieutenant  John 
Downes,  with  a  complement  of  42  men ;  appointing  midshipman 
W.  H.  Hadaway  acting  lieutenant  on  boara  her,  and  sent  her  on 
a  cruize.  Lieutenant  DowneS  joined  me  at  Tumbez,  near  Guya- 
quil,  on  the  coast  of  Peru,  on  the  24th  June,  after  capturing  3 
prizes,  to  wit ; 

Letten  of  Marque  fMfs, 

Hector,  270  tons,         25  men,  11  guns. 

Catharine,     270  29  8 

Rose,  220  21  8 

*t\k6  1st  had  two  men  killed  and  six  badly  wounded  in  her 
rencontre  with  the  Georgiana ;  and  the  Rose  was  discharged  (after 
being  deprived  of  her  armament)  with  all  the  prisoners  captured 
by  the  Georgjiana,  as  they  amounted  to  nearly  double  her  crew} 
she  was  furnished  with  a  passport  to  proceed  to  St.  Helena* 

My  own  prisoners  I  liberated  on  parole  at  Tumbez.  I  fonnd 
by  experience  that  the  Georgiana  did  not  deserve  the  characteir 

Sven  of  her  sailing.  I  therefore  shipped  her  officers  and  crew  to 
e  Adantic,  and  mounted  on  her  20  guns, with  a  com pUment  of 
60  men,  and  appointed  midshipman  R.  Dashiell  acti;>g  sailing 
master  on  board  of  her.  To  this  vessel  I  gave  the  name  of  the 
Essex  Junior.  I  also  fitted  up  the  ship  Greenwich,  as  a  store-ship^ 
and  mounted  on  her  20  guns,  placing  her  under  the  command  of 
lieutenant  Gamble,  of  the  marines.  On  board  hei  I  ^ave  put  all  the 
provisions  and  stores  of  my  other  prizes,  except  a  supply  of  three 
and  a  half  months  for  each,  and  have  by  this  means  secured  my- 
self a  full  supply  of  every  necessary  article  for  seven  months.  I 
had  hoped  to  aispose  of  my  other  prizes  at  Guyaquil :  the  govern- 
ors in  Peru,  however,  rre  excessively  alarmed  at  my  appearance 
on  the  coast,  as  my  fleet  amounts  now  to  nine  sail  of  v«»ssels,  all. 
formidable  in  their  appearance,  and  they  would,  if  th^  (i;jre,  treat 
us  with  hostility  litwie  short  of  declared,  enemies. 

I  have  given  to  Mr.  John  G.  Cowell,  sailing  master,  an  appmnt- 
ment  to  act  3d  lieutanant ;  midshipman  John  S.  Cowan  to  act  4tii 
lieutenant,  and  midshipman  Odenheimer  as  sailing  master..  1  beg, 
sir,  that  the  appointment  of  those  officers,  as  well  as  of  lieutenant 
^.  D.  M'Knignt,  who  is  acting  second  lieutejaantr  and  thosi  Mrvii^ 

^3 


ii; 


17d 


;| 


."M  .1 

mi 


ii# 


.1 


«n  board  the  Kssex  Junior,  may  be  confirmed  by  the  departmeiif. 
I  have  given  to  Mr.  M.  W.  Bostwick,  my  clerk,  the  appointment; 
of  acting  midshipman  ;  not  that  he  is  desirous  of  coming  forward 
in  the  navy  in  that  line,  but  1  hoped  by  this  means  to  introduce 
him  to  the  notice  of  the  department,  as  I  shall  take  the  liberty  to 
recommend  him  strongly  as  a  suitable  person  to  hold  the  appomt- 
ment  of  purser.  Doctors  Richard  R.  Hoffman,  and  Al«ixander  M. 
Montgomery,  two  gentlemen  of  great  merit,  vfho  volunteered  their 
services  witn  me  at  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  have  received 
acting  appointments  from  me,  the  first  as  surgeon  to  fill  the  vacancy 
oc: iPioned  by  the  death  of  doctor  Miller ;  the  otner  as  surgeon'* 
mate.  To  the  great  care  and  attention  of  those  gentlemeii,  may^ 
in  a  considerable  degree,  be  attributed  the  extraordinary  health  of 
iJie  cre^v;  and  as  they  are  both  desirous  of  joining  the,  navy,  I 
hope  t  'iir  appointments  may  be  confirmed. 

I  hare  ulsn  appointed  vaj  marine  officer  and  chaplain  to  the 
comi  and  of  prizes.  They  all  enter  with  cheerfulness  into  their 
new  duties  ;  and  if  the  expedition  should  not  prove  successful,  it 
will  not  be,  I  am  persuaded,  owing  to  our  want  of  activity  or 
vigilance ;  and  of  this  you  must  be  satisfied,  as  for  the  last  eight 
months  we  have  been  constantly  at  sea,  with  the  exception  of  23 
days,  and  yet,  sir,  we  have  enjoyed  extraordinary  health  and 
spirits  ;  no  symptom  of  the  scurvy  having  yet  appeared  in  the 
shin,  nor  have  we,  at  this  moment,  more  than  two  on  the  sick  list ; 
anil  their  diseases  are  more  owing  to  the  infirmities  of  old  age 
than  any  other  cause  Indeed,  sir,  when  I  compai .  my  present 
situation  with  what  it  was  when  I  doubled  Cape  Horn,  I  cannot 
but  esteem  myself  fortunate  in  an  extraordinary  degree.  There 
my  ship  was  shattered  by  tempestuous  weather,  ana  destitute  of 
every  thing;  my  oilicers  and  crew  half  starved,  naked  and  worn 
out  with  fatigue.  Now,  sir,  my  sf-iip  is  in  prime  order,  abandantly 
supplied  with  every  thing  necessary  for  her.  I  have  a  noble  ship 
for  a  consort  of  20  guns,  and  well  manned  ;  a  store-ship  of  20  guns 
well  supplied  with  the  best  of  every  thing  we  may  want,  and 
jpiizeii  which  would  be  worth  in  England  two  millions  of  dollars  ; 
fand  what  renders  the  comparisim  more  pleasing,  the  enemy  has 
furnished  all.  Excust.  me,  sir,  for  not  making  known  my  present 
intentions,  as  this  letter  may  not  reach  you.  It,  however,  may 
be  satisfactory  to  you  to  know  how  I  intend  to  dispose  of  my 
prizes  i  iet  it  sufiice  to  say  that  I  shall  endeavor  to  [cypher.]       f 

British  letters  of  marque  are  numerous  in  these  seas,  and,  were 
it  not  for  my  ari-ival,  ou^  whaSc  fishers  would  have  been  muclt 
harrassed ;  lijiit  they  now  find  it  necessary  to  keep  together  for 
mutual  protection.  I  expect  to  be  [cypher]  but  shall  be  [cyphfi.l 

Subjoined  is  aliet  of  deaths  since  1  left  the  United  States,  and 
beg  you  will  relieve  the  anxiety  of  my  family,  and  all  our  friends,. 
by  communicating  as  much  of  this  letter  as  you  may  think  proper. 

The  times  of  my  best  men  have  expired:  but  their  attachment 
to  the  ship,  and  tueir  zeal  for  the  service  v/e  are  engaged  on. 


?t 


f'  =1 


^'    ■ 


m 


lid 


prevent  all  complaints  on  that  account.  It  is  not  nrobable  tha* 
you  will  hear  from  inc  for  several  months  to  come,  unless  some 
disaster  happens;  but,  I  beg  leave  to  assure  you,  sir,  that  I  shall 
not  be  idle ;  and  I  hope  before  my  return  to  make  the  services  of 
the  Essex  as  important  as  those  of  any  other  ship.  We  may  nofe 
be  individually  benefitted,,  but  we  shall  do  the  enemy  much  »rjury, 
which  will  be  a  sufficient  compensation  to  us  for  all  the  hardshijjs 
and  privations  we  must  naturally  experience,  while  cut  otf  from 
-all  communication  with  the  rest  of  the  world,  and  are  dependent 
on  the  precarious  supplies  the  enemy  may  aftbrd. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  yours,  &c.' 

D.  PORTER.  •« 

Hon.  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Washington.  ** 

List  of  deaths  on  board  the  Essex  since  my  departure  frm»  tJu 

ifnited  States,  i^ 

1812,  Decembers,'*  evi  Holmes,  seaman,  palsy .^  ■?} 

jtA13,  January  24,  Eaward  Sweeny,  ordinary  seaman,  old  age.  k 

January  24,  Samuel  Grace,  seaman,  contunon  of  the  brain,  by  a  fallfivm 
the  main  yiwd. 

March  1,  Lewis  Price,  marine,  consumption. 

April,  4,  James  Shafford,  gunner's  mate,  accidental  g^n  shot — wound  p^ 
the  lungs. 

May  25,  Dr.  Robert  Miller,  surgeon,  disease  of  the  liver. 

May  26,  Benjamin  Geers,  qr.  gr.  inflammation  of  the  stomach. 

June  29,  John  Kodgers,  qr.  gr.  tall  from  the  main  yard.  ;<w 


I" 


SIR, 


WASHINGTON,  July  30th,  1813. 


I  consideir  myself  bound  to  lay  before  you,  what  came  under- 
my  knowledge,  w  nile  on  board  the  Chesapeaice,  as  well  as  on  board 
the  Shannon. 

After  the  enemy  had  completely  p(i88ession  of  the  ship,  midship- 
men Randolph  and  Fiushman  werjjferdcred  from  the  fore  and 
main -top.  In  coming  down  the  snrouds,  lieutenant  Faulkner, 
(the  British  officer)  said  to  hisi  men,  kill  those  damned  rascals. 
Then,  and  immediately,  several  muskets  were  discharged  at  them, 
but  without  effect.  My  station  was  in  the  mizen-top,  where  1 
had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  their  actions.  I  was  looking  on  deck, 
when  I  saw  one  of  the  Chesapeake's  men  crawling  along,  at- 
tempting to  get  below,  with  one  ot  his  legs  off.  One  of  the  enemy 
stepped  up  to  him  with  his  cutlass,  and  immediatdii  put  an  end  to 
his  existence. 

Lieutenant  Faulkner  looked  up  in  the  mizen-top ;  pointed  at 
me, — said  to  his  men,  go  up,  three  of  you,  and  throw  that  damned 
yankee  overboard.  Tney  immediately  rushed  up,  seizing  me  by 
the  collai" ;  now,  said  they,  you  damned  yankee,  yon  sNall  swim 
for  it,  attempting  to  throw  me  overboard  ;  but  I  got  within  the 
rigging,  when  one  of  them  kicked  me  in  the  brettU,  which  was  the 


•If. 


180 


iw 


*  'I 


4?  il, 


<tiuM  of  my  fftlling  J  htmfi;  stunned  by  the  fall,  t  lay  aome  timt 
tenselesa,  and  wmh  I  eame  to,  I  was  cut  over  the  head  with  • 
eutUuSt  which  nearly  terminated  my  existence.    Eleven  of  ow 
midshipmen  were  confined  in  a  small  place,  nine  feet  by  six,  with 
an  old  sail  to  lie  on,  and  a  guard  at  tiie  door,  until  a  day  or  tw« 
before  our  arrival  at  Halifax ;  and  likewise  eleven  oi  us  upon  five 
rations,  and  some  days  only  one  meal.    Our  clothes  were  taken 
on  board  of  the  Shannon ;  lieutenant  Wallis,  the  commandinif 
officer  on  board,  would  not  let  us  take  our  clothes  below  with  us^. 
but  pledged  his  word  and  honour  as  an  officer,  we  should  receive 
our  clothes.    But  we  discovered  next  morning  that  tft«ir  midahip- 
menhad  on  our  clothes  andside-mrms.    We  were  conversing  t(^- 
ther  respecting  our  clothes,  one' of  their  midshipmen  overheard 
our  conversation,  and  made  report  to  the  lieutenant  commanding. 
He  V.im  &:ent  word  to  us,  that  if  we  said  any  thing  more  about 
the  clutlies,  he  would  put  us  in  the  fbrehold  with  the  men.  We  ex-  n 
pec^c'l  to  receive  our  clothes  when  we  arrived  in  port ;  but  I  '18 
nnmn  you, sir,  nothing  was  ever  restored.    Other  raacally  things 
f'-'^rredt  yirhich  our  officers  will,  when  they  return,  make  known  to  > 
i}- '  public,  disgraceful  to  a  civilized  nation.  If  your  request  could ; " 
bive  been  made  sooner,  I  should  have  felt  gratified  in  making  a 
fuller  <U;^ment.    ^^<** 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
WILLIAM  BERRY. 
Hon.  L.  Cendit,  WMhinjfton. 


.."V'  '*»■•"."?■  /  ifi<fr^'3(p 


SiBj  <^^ 


GEORGETOWN,  July  30th,  1813.       Mlk 


ssa^peikc 

lay  before  you  what  canMM|iHler  my  knowledge.  My  having  been 
wounded  and  remaining  o#Mard  the  Chesaj^ake  might  not  give 
me  that  scope  for  observation  which  others  possessed ;  but  I ; 
am  sorry  to  sav,   many   thin^  transpired  disgracefal   to   •> 
brave  enemy,    whilst  undressing  myself  in  the  steerage,  after 
the  Americans  M^ere  driven  bt 'uw  or  had  surrendered,  i^  aftelri 
resistance  had  ceased,  I  believe  entirely,  several  -nuskets  and  pis- 
tols were  at  once  nointed  down  the  hatchway,  und  discharged  in  « 
the  direction  of  me  cock-pit,  and  as  the  steerage  and  cock-|»t 
were  filled  with  wounded,  in  all  probability  some  of  them  wen^ 
killed  outright. 

It  was  midshipman  Hopewell,  and  not  Livin^ton^  who  was  so 
inhumanly  treated,  as  described  in  the  public  prints.  It  has  been 
the  <:;ustom  in  our  navy,  to  take  the  side-arms  of  officers,  (prison* 
ers)  but  to  return  them  on  leaving  the  ship.  Oars  were  taken, 
>v<»ii,  and  never  restored,  together  mth  ^yhat  nautical  imtru- 


■jSP 


^ 


181 


inente  they  couM  Hj  ^nr  hands  on..  When  spoken  to  br  th* 
American  officers  on  the  subject,  the  answer  was,  such  things^ 
w«irt^re6  phmder.    A  day  or  two  after  the  action,  I  was  convers- 
ing with  lieutenants  Biida  and  Mr.  Nichols,  near  the  taffrail,  re- 
«p«cting  the  engagement,  when  it  was  observed  some  of  the  Shan« 
non's  men  were  listening  to  our  conversation.     Immediately 
after,  lieutenant  Faulkner,  the  commanding  officer,  ordered  senti- 
nels to  be  plaeed  at  the  mizen->;aa8tf    And  said  he  to  them,  if 
you.  tee  any  of  the  Cher.apeake's  officers  abaft  the  mizen-mast,  • 
cut  them  down,  if  yoii  see  thtm  conversing  together  cut  them 
down  without  hesitati<Hi>  It  will  S>e  remembered  that  three  officers  «> 
who  caused  this  order,  weire  all  severally  wounded.  We  received  -4^ 
no  -caution,  and  overheard  it  by  accident.    So  great  was  the  rage  it 
for  plunder,  that  captain  Lawrence,  before  his  death,  could  not  ^ 
obtain  a  bottle  of  wine  from  lus  private  stores,  without  a  note.  ^ 
from  the  doctor  to  the  lieutenant  commanding.    I  pass  over  the  ij 
robbing  of  the  midshipmen  on  board  the  Shannon,  af  it  did  not  {^ 
come  under  my  immediate  notice.    If  yonr  request  could  have. « 
been  made  earlier,  I  should  have  felt  grat^ed  in  making  a  fuller  ^«. 
statement.  H 

Yours  respectfully,  « 

WM,A.WEAVEIt  4 
The  Hon.  Lewii  Qondit,  Washington. 


■i> 


;     I. 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  SENECA  TOWNS, 

August  4th,  1813' 

SIR, 

In  my  letter  of  the  1st  instant,  I  did  myself  the  honour  to  in^ 
form  you  tiiat  one  of  my  scouting  parties  had  just  returned 
from  tiie  lake  shore,  and  had  discovered  the  day  before,  the 
enemy  in  force  near  ^  mouth  of  the  Sandusky  baj.    The  party  ^; 
had  not  passed  Lower  Sandusky  two  hours  before  the  advanee^j 
consisting  of  Indians,  appearen  before  the  fort,  and  in  half  au.*^' 
hour  niter  a  Uuge  detachme^c  of  British  troops ;  and  in  the  course , 
of  die  night  they  commericed  a  cannonadine  against  the  fort  with 
three  six  pounders  and  two  howitzers.  The  latter  from  gun  boats. 
The  firing  was  partially  answered  by  major  Cri^han,  having  a 
six jpeunder,  the  only  piece  of  artillery. 

The  fire  of  the  enemy  was  continued  at  intervals  durii^  the 
second  instant,  until  about  half  after  five  P.  M.  when  finding  ^at 
their  cannon  made  little  iaipresiiiou  upon  the  works,  and  having 
discovered  my  position,  and  here  apprehending  an  attack,  an  at- 
tempt was  made  to  carry  the  jdace  oy  storm.  Their  troops  were 
formed  io  two  ct^unuis,  lieutenant  colonel  Short  headed  the  princi- 
pal ooe  composed  of  the  light  battalion  companies  of  the  4l8tregt} 
ment.  This  galUnt  officer  conducted  his  men  to  the  brink  of  &e 
ditch  indor  ^e  inott  galling  and  destructive  fire  from  the  garrison^ 


,;■« 


18» 


«.  ; 


mnd  leaping  into  it,  was  followed  by  a  considerble  part  of  his  own 
and  the  light  company ;  at  this  moment  a  masked  port  hole  wa9 
suddenly  opened,  and  a  six  pounder  with  an  half  load  of  powder^ 
and  a  double  charge  of  leaden  slugs  at  the  distance  of  30  (ec 
poured  destniction  upon  them,  and  killed  or  wounded  nearl 
every  man  who  had  entered  the  ditch.  In  vain  did  the  Britisi 
officers  exert  themselves  to  lead  on  the  balance  of  the  column ; 
it  retired  in  disorder  under  a  shower  of  shot  from  the  fort,  and 
touffht  safety  in  the  adjoining  woods.  The  other  column,  headed 
by  the  grenadiers,  had  also  retired,  after  having  suffered  from  the 
muskets  of  our  men,  to  an  adjacent  ravine.  In  the  course  of  the 
night  the  enemy,  with  the  aid  of  their  Indians,  drew  off'the  greater 
part  of  the  wounded  and  dead,  and  embarking  them  in  boats,  de- 
scended the  river  with  the  utmost  precipitation.  In  the  course  of 
the  2d  instant,  having  heard  the  cannonading,  I  made  several 
attempts  to  ascertain  the  force  and  situation  of  the  enemy.  Our 
scouts  were  unable  to  get  near  the  fort  from  vhe  Indians  that  sur- 
rounded it.  Finding,  however,  that  the  eusmv  had  only  lijB;ht 
artillery,  and  being  well  convinced  that  it  could  make  little  im- 
pression upon  the  works,  and  that  any  attempt  to  storm  it  would 
be  resisted  with  effect,  I  waited  for  the  arrival  of  250  mounted 
volunteers,  which  on  the  evening  before  had  left  Upper  Sandusky. 
But  as  soon  as  I  *vas  informed  tnat  the  enemy  were  retreating,  I 
set  out  "A'ith  the  dragoons  to  endeavour  to  overtake  them,  leaving 
generals  M' Arthur  and  Cass  to  follow  with  all  the  infantry  (about 
700)  ii'.at  could  be  spared  from  the  protection  of  the  stores  and 
tick  at  this  place.  1  found  it  impossible  to  come  up  with  them. 
Upon  my  arrival  at  Sandusky,  I  was  informed  by  the  prisoners  that 
the  enemy's  forces  consisted  of  490  regular  troops  and  500  of  Dix- 
on's Indians,  commanded  by  general  Proctor  in  person,  and  that 
Tecumseh,  with  about  2000  warriors,  was  somewhere  in  the 
swamps  between  this  and  Fort  Meigs,  expecting  my  advance  or 
-that  of  a  convoy  of  provisions.  As  there  was  no  prospect  of 
doing  any  thing  in  front,  and  being  apprehensive  that  Tecumseh 
might  deslroy  the  stores  and  small  detachments  in  my  rear ;  I 
Ment  orders  to  general  Cass,  who  commanded  the  reserve,  to  fall 
back  to  this  place,  and  to  general  M' Arthur,  with  the  front  line,  to 
follow  and  support  him. 

I  remained  at  Sandusky  until  the  paHies  that  were  sent  out  in 
every  direction  returned  ;  not  an  enemy  was  to  be  seen. 

i  am  sorry  that  I  cannot  transmit  you  major  Croghan's  official 
report. 

He  was  to  have  sent  it  to  me  this  morning.  But  I  have  jdsf 
heard  that  he  was  so  much  exhausted  by  thirty-six  hours  of  con- 
tinued exertion  as  to  be  unable  to  make  it.  It  will  not  be  amongst 
the  least  of  general  Proctor's  mortitications  to  find  that  he  ha;* 
been  baffled  by  a  youth  who  has  just  passed  his  twenty •  first  yeai*. 
He  is  however  a  hero  worthy  of  his  gallant  uncle  (general  William 
Clark)  and  1  blew  my  good  fortune  ]«  having  first  introduced  this 


t8S 

premising  shoot  of  a  distinguished  family  to  the  notice  of  thtf-. 
government.  . 

Captain  Hunter  of  the  17th  regiment,  the  second  in  command, 

nducted  himself  with  great  propriety,  and  never  were  a  set  of 
ner  young  fellows  than  the  suoaltems,  vix :  lieutenants  Johnson 
nd  Bajrlor  of  the  17th,  AnthOnv  of  the  24th,Meeks  of  the  7th, 
and  ensiffns  Ship  and  Duncan  of  the  17th. 

The  following  account  of  the  unworthy  artifice  and  conduct  of' 
the  enemy  will  excite  your  indignation.  Major  Chambers  was 
sent  by  general  Proctor,  accompanied  by  colonel  Elliott,  to  de- 
mand the  surrender  of  the  fort.  They  were  met  by  ensign  8hip. 
The  major  observed  that  general  Proctor  had  a  number  of  can- 
non, ti,  large  body  of  regular  troops,  and  so  many  Indians  whom  it 
was  impossible  to  control,  and  if  the  fort  was  taken  as  it  must  be, 
the  whole  of  the  garrison  would  be  massacred.  Mr.  Ship  an- 
swered that  it  was  the  determination  of  major  Cro^han,  his  officers 
and  men,  to  defend  the  garrison  or  be  buried  in  it,  and  that  tliey 
mieht  do  their  best.  Colonel  Elliott  then  addressed  Mr.  Ship,, 
and  said,  **  y«u  are  a  fine  young  man,  I  pity  your  situation,  for 
God's  sake  surrender  and  prevent  the  dreadful  slaughter  that 
must  follow  resistance."  Ship  turned  from  him  with  indignation 
and  was  immediately  taken  hold  of  by  an  Indian,  who  attempted 
to  wrest  his  sword  from  him.  Elliott  pretended  to  exert  himself 
to  release  him,  and  expressed  great  anxiety  to  get  him  safe  into 
ijie  fort. 

In  a  former  letter  I  informed  yov..  mr,  that  the  post  of  Lower 
Sandusky  could  not  be  defended  against  heavy  cannon,  and  that 
J  had  ordered  the  pommandant,  if  he  could  safely  retire  upon  tlie 
advance  of  the  enemy,  to  do  so  after  having  destroyed  the  fort,  as 
there  was  nothing  in  it  that  could  justify  the  risk  of  defending  it, 
commanded  as  it  is  by  a  hill  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river, 
within  range  of  cannon,  and  having  on  that  side  old  and  illy  con- 
structed block  houses  and  dry  friable  pickets.  The  enemy  ascending 
the  bay  and  river  with  a  fine  breeze,  gave  major  Croghau  so  little 
notice  of  their  approach,  that  he  could  not  execute  the  order  for 
retreating.  Jjuckilv  they  had  no  artillery  but  six  pounders  and 
five  and  a  half  inch  howitzers. 

General  Proctor  left  Maiden  with  the  determination  of  storming 
Fort  Meigs.  His  immense  body  of  troops  were  divided  into  three 
commands,  and  must  have  amounted  to  at  least  5000.  Dixon 
'commanded  the  Mackanaw  and  other  northern  tribes ;  Tecumseh 
those  of  the  Wabash,  Illinois  and  St.  Joseph ;  and  Round  Head,  a 
Wyaildot  chief,  the  warriors  of  his  own  nation  and  those  of  the 
Ottaways,  Chippeways,  and  Putawattamies  of  the  Michigan  terri- 
tory. Upon  seeing  the  formidable  preparations  to  receive  them 
at  FOi't  Meiffs,  the  idea  of  storming  was  abandoned,  and  the  plan 
adopted  of  decoying  the  garrtson  out,  or  inducing  me  to  come  to 
its  relief  with  a  force  inadequate  to  repel  the  attack  of  his 
immeMe  hordeB  of  savages.    Having  waitt?d  several  days  for 


•i':,  ■: 


H 


.if 


":(; 


i&i 


184 

^e  latter,  and  practiiing  IneflTectually  leveral  ttratagems  t» 
ft.  oinpliHh  the  former,  pruvisions  besan  to  be  scarce  and  the 
Indians  to  be  dissatisfieJ.  Th  3  attack  upon  Sandusky  was  the 
dernier  resort  The  greater  oart  of  the  Indians  refused  to  accom%^ 
pany  him  and  returned  to  tiie  river  Raisin.  Tecumseh,  with  rWf. 
command,  remained  in  the  neighbourhood  of  fort  Meigs  senuiut^ 
parties  to  all  the  posts  upon  Hull's  road  and  those  upon  the  AugUize 
to  search  for  cattle.  Five  hundred  of  the  northern  Indians  under 
Dixon  attended  Proctor.  I  have  sent  a  party  to  the  lake  to  at- 
certain  the  direction  that  the  enemy  have  taken.  The  scouts 
which  have  returned  saw  no  signs  of  Indians  later  than  those  made 
in  the  night  of  the  2d  instant,  and  a  party  has  iust  arrived  from 
Fort  Meigs  who  make  the  same  report  I  thinli  it  probable  that 
they  have  all  gone  ofT.  If  so,  this  mighty  armament,  from  which 
BO  much  was  expected  by  the  enemy,  will  return  covered  with 
disgrace  and  mortification.  As  captain  Ferr^  was  neoriy  ready 
to  sail  from  Erie  when  I  last  heard  from  him,  I  hope  that  the 
period  will  soon  arrive  when  we  shall  transfer  the  lahouring  oar 
to  the  enemy,  and  oblige  him  to  encounter  some  of  the  labours  and 
difficulties  which  we  have  undergone  in  waging  a  defensive  war- 
fare, and  protecting  our  extensive  frontier  against  a  superior  force. 
I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  you  a  copy  of  the  first  note  received 
from  major  Croghan.  It  was  written  before  day,  and  it  has  since 
been  ascertained  that  of  the  enemy  there  remained  in  the  ditch 
one  lieutenant  colonel  (by  brevet),  one  lieutenant  and  twenty -five 
privates,  fourteen  of  them  badly  wounoed.  Every  care  has  been 
taken  of  the  latter  and  i\u'  offiters  buried  with  the  honours  due  to 
their  rank  and  their  !<i-«ii  er ;%  All  the  dead  that  were  not  in  the 
ditch  were  taken  cf  i;  the  flight  by  the  Indians.  It  is  impossible, 
from  the  circttinataact:^  of  the  attack,  that  they  should  have  lost 
less  than  one  hundred.  Some  of  tiie  prisoners  think  that  it 
amounted  to  two  hundred.  A  young  gentleman,  a  private  in  the 
Petersburg  volunteers  of  the  name  orBrown,  assisted  by  five  or 
NX  of  that  company,  and  of  the  Pittsburg  blues,  who  were  acci- 
dentally in  the  fort,  manased  the  six  pounder  which  produced 
such  destruction  in  the  ranks  of  the  enemy. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
WILLIAM  IIKNRY  HARRISON. 
The  Secretary  of  War. 

N.  B.  Of  our  few  wounded  men  there  is  but  one  that  will 
not  be  well  in  less  than  six  days* 


t 


LOWER  SANDUSK'f ,  August  5tb,  1813. 
DEAR  SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  inform  yov.  that  the  combined  force  of 
the  enemv,  amounting  to  at  least  50('  regulars  and  seven,  or  eight 
hundred  Indians,  under  the  inunediate  command  of  general  Proctor 
i/ 


fj 


185 


t 


made  its  appearance  before  this  place,  early  on  Sunday  evening 
last,  and  so  soon  as  the  general  had  made  such  disposition  of  his 
troops,  as  would  cut  otf  my  retreat,  should  I  be  dis|)0bed  to  make 
one,  he  sent  colonel  Elliott,  accompanied  by  major  Chambers, 
a'  J'withaflaK  to  demand  the  surrender  of  the  fort,  as  lie  was  anxious 
0---  *  1.0  spare  the  eflTusion  of  blood,  which  he  should  probably  not  have 
in  nis  |)ower  to  do,  should  he  bo  reduced  to  the  necessity  of 
taking  tlie  place  by  storm.  My  answer  to  the  summons  was,  that 
f  was  determined  to  defend  tue  place  to  the  last  extremity,  and 
that  no  force,  however  large,  should  induce  me  to  surrender  it. 
jlo  soon  as  the  flag  had  returned,  a  brisk  fire  was  opened  upon 
us  from  the  gun  boats  in  the  river,  and  from  a  5  J  inch  nowitzer  on 


'  i\ 


f 


n  through  the 

"s  (which  had 

'  '  pickets) 

o'clock  P. 

.iicentrated 

i  became  confident 


shore,  which  was  kept  up  with  little  intern 
night.  At  an  early  hour  the  next  morning,  ' ' 
been  placed  during  the  night  within  250 
began  toplnv  upon  us,  but  with  little  effect 
M.  discovering  that  the  fire  from  all  his  gut 
against  the  north-western  angle  of  the  fort, 
that  his  object  was  to  make  a  breach,  and  attempt  to  storm  the 
works  at  that  point.  I  therefore  ordered  out  as  m«ny  men  as  could 
be  employed  for  the  purpose  of  strengthening  that  front,  which  was 
so  eiiectually  secured  by  means  of  bags  of  flour,  sand,  &c. 
that  the  picketing  suffered  little  or  no  injury.  Notwithstanding 
which,  the  enemy,  about  5  o'clock ,  having  formed  in  close  coiumn, 
advancing  to  assail  our  works  at  the  expected  point,  at  the  same 
time  making  two  feints  at  the  front  of  captain  Hunter's  lines,  the 
coli;mn  which  advanced  against  the  north-western  angle,  consisting 
of  about  S'lO  men,  was  so  completely  enveloped  in  smoke,  as  not  to 
be  discovered  until  it  had  approached  within  fifteen  or  twenty 
paces  of  the  lines ;  but  the  men  beins  all  at  their  posts  and  ready  to 
receive  it,  comn  enced  so  heavy  ana  galling  a  fire,  as  to  throw  the 
column  a  little  ir  to  confusion.  Bein^  quickly  rallied,  it  advanced  to 
the  outer  works  and  began  to  leap  into  the  ditch.  Just  at  that  mo- 
ment a  fire  of  grape  was  opened  from  our  six  pounder,  (which 
l^ad  been  previously  arranged  so  as  to  rake  in  that  direction) 
which,  together  M'itn  the  musketry,  threw  them  into  such  confu- 
sion, that  they  w  ere  compelled  to  retire  j"  ecipitately  to  the 
woods.  During  the  assault,  which  lasted  about  halt  an  hour,  an  in- 
cessant fire  was  kept  up  by  tlie  enemy's  artillery  (which  consisted 
of  five  sixes  and  a  howit/.er)  but  without  eff*ect.  My  whole  lo&s 
during  the  siege,  was  one  killed  and  seven  wounded  slightly.  The 
loss  of  the  enemy  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  must  exceed 
one  hundred  and  fifty ;  one  lieutenant  colonel,  a  lieutenant  and  fifty 
rank  and  file,  were  found  in  and  about  the  ditch ;  those  of  the  re- 
mainder, who  were  not  able  to  escape,  were  taken  oft*  during  the 
night  by  the  Indians.  Seventy  stand  of  arms  and  severa?  brace  of 
pistols  have  been  collected  near  the  works.  About  three  in  the 
morning  the  enemy  sailed  down  the  river,  leaving  behind  them  a 
boat,  containing  clotliing  and  con,siderable  military  stores.    Tq« 

34 


V 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


F.^ 


1.0     ^K£  I2i 


1.1 


lit 


Lo    12.0 


-M  in 

|j^|U|J. 


'VW 


V 


Phobgraphic 

Sdmces 

Carporatian 


<^ 


33  Wnt  MAM  STRHT 

wEitm,N.Y.  usao 

(71«}I72-4S03 


v\ 


4t^ 


fs 


iBd 


puohwftta* eanipt  i)« Iwstgwed  on  ihe  officcrt,  Bon<comini9iifHi« 
cd  olncert,  ana  privates  under  mj  command  for  tiieir  gallantrj 
and  good  PQndaC|^(ivHng  the  sicfe..  y^ 

•  Yours,  with  respect, 

G.  CttOGHAN. 
,  ,,      '  M(0or  170^  UnS,  Ji{fantry  eomdg^L^  5« 

iifei.  ftwrokm,  comman^Hig  K.  W.  army. 


CbfmtiondttJoe  bttween  tHe  ftber^faiy  of  Wfer  and  major  general  'Wilk&iaoh, 

i8iibn4i(t(B4  to  the  President  bj  the  Secretary  of  War,  on  <|io 
^^uly^ajqidcumaiiunicated. to  general  Wilkinson  'on  the  5thikf 
Ai|gi|Bt«  1AI3, 

.at  whjich  we  have  reason  to  cxp^t  an  ascendency  on 
loKai  ^yed«    If  Qurhopeson  tKi^hea^  be  fulfilled, 
ib|l|t'/o'tj^a  |hort']|ieriod         must  avail  ourselves  of  ilie  cir- 
mceKto  give  to  the  campaign  a  iww  and  increased  actiyitjr, 
^I'^r  th^s  Jija^fpose  our  forces  on  the  Ontario  should  be  coticefi- 
Al0|^.b^ci|^8C  h^iithei'  sectiof^  of  diem,  as  they  i^  now  diyide4i( 
i^  ^^l^lent  to  any  great  obj^^^^  i 

_^^WfA  ^olht  of  concentration  is  more  doubtful ; 
tli;  lt%t  Fort  George,  our  uttnosf  success  caii  but  give  us  the 
comipai^  Qi^lJlf  jpenip^uLu,  which,  if  general  Harrison  succeeds 
igfiii^t  Maldeii,  will  be  of  diminished  interest,  both  to  us  and 
to  the  eneniy:  to  us,  because  Maiden  will,  more  completely 
cover  OHr  western  frontier  and  control  the  savages  than  Forts 
Gewee  and  Brie ;  to  the  enemy,  because  Maiden  lost,  our 
iiU!Q<^  WDon  the  p^li^s^a,  wi\\  but  have  the  effect  of  shorUninr^ 
tmw  mvtiingt^ihii  ^nein^'s  line  of  operations;  in  a  wonl» 
sn^cess  at  this  point  will  not  give  to  the  campaign  a  character 

ad*  I^  on  tti  other  himd,  ire  make  Sackett's  Harbor  the  point  of 

cdttceiitration,  KUngfton  may  become  the  obiect  of  our  attack* 

yHlid^^bfth^  wajjT,  will  bat  oe  returning;  to  Ae~Qriginid  plan  of 

^UBpaig^  jirescribed  to  general  Dearbomi,    This  place  is  of 

jBucn  importance  to  the  enemy,  and  will  no  doubt  be  defraded 

by  him  with  great  obstinacy,  and  with  all  the  resources  which 

"can  6e' safe^f  drawii  from  «ther  points.    That  it  may  be  taken 

"hf  a  |oilit  appKcatmn.  of  our  naval  and  military  means,  is  not 

^tmrvm  to  WB<|Qestioned.    The  enclosed  diagram  will  show  the 

HamlMy  wA  character  of  the  enemy's  defences.    His  batteries^ 

fin  No,  1  caiii|«^  be  siistaiued  but  by  his  fleet..    These  car- 

'Wi^ii^  is  q»«i  to  a  descent  at  Nos.  2  and  3.    If  he  divides 

^K4a  ftroe  between  boidi,  '^  oppose  one  half  <^  his  strength  #ith 

le  wlwie  of  ours.     If  he  cbneentrates  tA  No.  2,  we  seiz* 

((^  i'^iM'  ccmiuiad  both  the  Umn  and  the  shi^ng*    If 


i: 


ti«  c6iie(ntrafes  at  Ko/  3,  we  oecqpy  "^o,^  aft4  wilh  HtHif 

the  same  resnlta. 

Contemporary  with  thig  movement,  another  mtj  be  made  on^ 

side  of  la3ie  Champlaiii,  indicating  an  intendon  of  attackinj| 

Montreal  and  itg  dependencies,  and  really  attacking  them,u 

to  Save  Kinigftton,  thdse  posts  have  been  materially  weakened. 

Sd«  Another  and  diiferent  operation,  to  which  otfr  means  ai» 

competent,  would  be  a  movement  from  Sackett*s  Harbor  to  Ma* 

drid  on  the  St*  Lawrence.  .  At  tiiis  j^lace  the  river  may  be  most 

easily  crossed*    The  ground  opposite  to  it  is  a  narroV  blufl^ 

'^skirted  by  the  river  on  one  side,a[nd  a  swamp  of  great  extoit 

"  im^  of  difficult,  pinsage  on  the  «th^.  This  ^nned  and  fortified* 

our  fleet  eontinning  to  command  the  water  nne  from  the  head 

of  the  river  to  Ogdensburg,  and  lake  St.  Francis  occupied  witlt 

a  few  ffun  boats  and  barges,  the  army  may  march  against  M<Hi<' 

treal,  in  concert  With  general  Hampton.    The  only'  natliral 

'j|ifRculty  to  the  execution  of  this  plan,  wottld  be  preseiited  by 

a  branch  of  the  Grand  riveir  which  must  be  cnMsea;  but  it  thui 

Seasott,  thou^  deep^it  is  believed  to  be  fordkble* 

Under  the  preceding  supposition  it  is  respectfully,  iubmitted* 

whether  it  will  not  be  mest  advisable  to  make  i9iid^dt*«L  Borftof 

the  pmnt  of  concentration,  and  leave  to  the  commandtbg  nneial 

an  election  (to  be  deteriiuned  by  circumstifnees)  between  raetwv- 

plans  su^ested  under  the  Ski  and  Sd  heads. 

JOHN  AEMSTRQNQf. 
J^pproveAand  adqpUit  JiUy  SdJ*  1813* 


'■'■  m 


wm 


WASHttfOtON,  Augoit6dH.i813». 


SIR, 


i  have  examined  the  projects  of  the  campaini,  intended  fait 
the  past  and  ensuing  stages  (^  it,  ep  the  side  of  Canada,  which 
you  put  into  my  ha^s  vesterday.  The  novelty  of  the  sujoyect  to 
me,  and  tbe  pressure  oftime,  wul  prevent  the  ucUberate  con^e-' 
ration  of  it  which  its  importance  merits;  a^id  therefore  Ishldl 
connne  myaelf  to  a  few  brief  observations  touclong  the  pr<^ect  ^ 
the  a3d  ultimo.  ■  ■^^' 

1st*  If  we  command  lake.  Ontario  (yrithout  which  the  pm^ect  i* 
iihpracticable),  and  our  force  be  competent  to  carry  Kinntoii,  .tli<! 
incorporation  of  Qur  tro<^  shpnld  tiKe  pfi|ce  a»t  Sackett^  Harbei'i 
and  the  attack  be  ma4e  m  promptly  9$  possibie*  ; 

Sd.  On  the  centlwy,  should  o«r  rap)ined  diipbuld^  force  M 
deemed  incon^t<»tto  the  certain  and  ppeiMly  redbeopli  of  Ki|r^ 
ton,  then  it  niay  lie  praferable  t<i  strenmen  o^r  loiree  at  | 
St  George,  cut  up  thj^  Iritisli  foincein  ^at  uiarter,  desttint 
Indian  (^^blishments,  and  (sh6i0d  genwal^Barr^  M 
elgects)  march  a  detachment  to  captp^  **  ' 


ifeiJ3>-  Jt., 


<.  ;^ 


..II 


■J, 


SM 


>  While  theM<^i«iions  tare  pendins^,  a  bold' feint  «r  proTiMonal 
attack  on  Montreal,  by  miyor  ^neral  Hamptpn,  will  certainly  call 
or  George  Provost  to  that  place^  and  it  is  presumable,  that  seeing 
our  movements  directed  towards>Erie,  he  may  carry  his  best  troopa 
tvith  him  from  Kingston* 

.These  sjgKestions  spriiw  from  my  desire  to  hazard  as  little  as 
possible  in  uie  outset,  ancT  to  secure  infallibly  whatevM-  may  be 
attempted,  with  the  intention  to  increase  our  own  confidence,  to 
diminish  that  of  the  enemy,  and  to  popularise  the  war. 

After  our  operations  on  ihe  peninsula  have  been^  closed,  we 
mi^  raze  the  works  there  under  your  provisions,  leave  pur  settle- 
ments on  the  strait  in  tranquillity,  and  like  lightning'must  direct 
our  whole  lorco  against  Kingston )  and  having  reducra  tiiat  place, 
and  captured  the  shipmng,  we  may  descend  the  stream,  and  form 
'  a  junction  with  the  column  of  general  Hampton  in  the  neif[^bour> 
hood  of  Montreal,  should  the  lateness  of  th»  season  permit,  by 
which  all  our  movements*  after  the  conquest  <tf  Upper  Cana^, 
must  be  governed.  * 

To  gnve  j^nend  Hampton's  movements  a  menacing  aspect,  and 
toenamO  htqi  to  profit  by  events,  1ft  should  take  with  lum  a  heavy 
train  of  battering  cannon  and  mortar  pieces,  which  will  be  found 
indespensable  in  the  attack  of  Montreal;  and  to  weaken  that 

£lace»  and  to  favour  a  protracted  season,  I  would  advise  that  a 
eavy  column  of  militia  or  volunteers,  if  engaged  for  three  raontiia 
only,  should  be  put  in  motion  from  the  vicinity  of  lake  Memphra- 
macog*  ti»  descend  the  river  St  Francts,  and  take  post  on  the  r%ht 
bank  of  lake  St  Petre,  with  a  battering  train  of  travelling  carriages, 
organized  and,  equipt,  either  to  keep  post  or  retire,  when  the 
season  or  other  circumstances  should  render  expedient. 

Before  I  close  this  l<^ter,  I  will  beg  leave  to  call  your  attention 
to  several  specific  points,  on  which  I  reqp^"^  iarormation  ai^ 
authority,  which  I  deem  essential  to  the  salu  dischai^e  of  the 
\a^  andf  solemn  trust  about  to  devolve  upon 

1st.  A  copy  of  the  instructions  to  major  general  Hampton,  for 
my  government  in  the  correspondence  to  ensue  between  us. 

2d.  Shall  I  be  allowed  a  in>ivaiii  secretary,  which  is  necessary, 
and  of  right  belongs  to  the  command  on  which  I  am  about  to  en- 
ter? 

isd.  I  require  permission  to  take  for  my  aids-de-camp  such 
Oncers  as  are  best  fitted  to  diicharge  the  important  duties  of  the 
sta^.  • 

4th.  I  ask  authority  (oi  is  it  understood  that  f  possess  it  P)  to  sup* 
ply  every  defect  of  the  munitions  of  war,  and  transport'by  land  w^ 
water  bv  means  ot  the  authorized  agents. 

9t)i.  I  entreat  that  aimjple  funds  may  be  deposited  in  propw 
limds,  to  give  efect  to  the  department  of  intellinnce,  without 
^JMch^  the  chief  will  find  himself  hood-winked. 

6th.  I  trust  no  order,  of  whatever  nature,  will  be'pasaed  to  any 
officer  under  my  command,  but  through  my  hands.    This  is  not 


1 


'# 


* 


•Illy  necMMrjr  to  the  retul;^r  conduct  of  the  public  semce,' but 
it  is  vitally  essential  Jto  the  preservation  of  sound  subordination, 
uid  is  conformable  to  the  rules  of  service  in  all  armies,  in  as  much 
ms  he  who  is  responsiUe  for  all,  ^ould  have  the  controul  of  alL  » - 

7th.  I  hope  I  may  be  expressly  author»ed  to  detach  irom  my 
comlnand,  all  persona  who  may  manifest  a  temper  gir  diapoMtio'n 
to  excite  discontents,  to  generate  factions,  or  embitter  the  service^ 
This  is  indispensable  to  put  down  seditious  spirits,  and  to  har- 
monize the  corps.     * 

8th  Should  we  move  acainst  Kingston  in  the  fii^  instance,  the 
wi^drawal  of  our  force  m»m  Fort  Geoi|;e  will  enable  tlie  enemy 
to  ^-occupy  that  point,  and  for  a  brief  period  toharrass  our  fron** 
tier  on  that  strait.  May  not  the  militia,  or  a  body  of  volnnteera; 
be  called  forth  to  relieve  the  r^lar  troops  at  that  places  and 
prevent  discontents  and  complaints  F 

^  9th.  For  the  maintenances  the  necessary  authOTit|roithe«lmf, 
it  is  hoped  the  secretary  of  war  will  decUno  and  forbid  all'  corres- 
pondence with  his  subordinate  officers,  except  in' eases  of  personal 
grievance.  .  u  ;.  . 

10th.  I  b^  to  be  advised  of  the  meana  of  oommunica^eil, be- 
tween our  military  positions,  ^and  particularly  from  Saekett's 
Harbor  to  Burlington,  which  dll6uld  be  rmid  ami  infallible.f 

11th.  I  ask  autiioritfjr  to  equip  the  whole  of  our  horse  artillerf, 
and  to  moont  tiie  whole  of  our  drasoons,  because  these  arms  will 
be  found  alMmportantin  every  combat  which  may  ensue. 

A  serious  impression  of  the  dread  responsibility  which  awaits 
me,  and  a  correct  settse  of  the  public  expectation  ^which  accompa- 
nies me,  must  Je  my  apol<^  for  giving  you  so  much  trouble. 
With  great  respect,  £c,  your  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  WILKINSON. 
Honoumbie  John  Armitrong^, 

Secretaiy  of  War. 


SIR* 


W^m  DEPARTMENT,  August  8th,  ISlS. 


I  have  ^ven  to  your  observations  of  the  6th  instant  all  the 
consideration  they  so  justly  merit. 

The  main  objection  to  any  plan,  which  6hall  carry  our  operations 
wide  of  Kingston  and  westward  of  it,  is,  that  in  the  event  of  ItH 
success,  it  leaves  the  strength  of  the  enemy  Unbroken ;  it  but 
wounds  the  tail  of  the  lion,  and  of  coorse,  is  not  ciitieuUfed  Hi 
hasten  the  termination  of  the  wa^,  either  by  encVeasing  o^  0m 
vigour,  or  l>y  diminishing  that  of  the  eneitty»  Kington'  is'^'die 
great  depot  of  his  resources,  and  so  loiig  as  he  retains  tiitis  iijid 
keeps  open  hiH  communication  with  the  sea,  her  will  not  want  i^ie 
means  of  multiplying  his  naval  and  other  def<iince9,  and  of  rein- 
fbrcingor  renewing  the  war  in  the  west.    Kingston,  therefore,  as 


/ 


:::^l.:.: 


..;:t: 


# 


1«0 

^ell  on  grounds  of  pofi<iV  as  tif  militafjr  iuihcipK  prmsuti  Hvt 
Jlrtt  and  great  object  of  the  campugu.         . 

There  are  two  ways  of  apwoaohing  this  t  w  direet;  or  inMnd-, 
attack :  bj  breaking  down  tiie  enemy's  battali«ntn  and  forcing  Ms 
wdrks ;  or  by  seizing  and  obstructnig  the  linr  of  his  commuaica- 
tion,  and  thus  drying  up  tne  sources  by  whteh  he  is  nourished  ajul 
maintained.  Circumstances  must  goTern' in  choosing  between 
tiltte  different  modes.  Were  our  assembled  laud  and  naval 
forces  competent  to  the  object,  a  dimt  attad^  would  no  doubt  be 
the  shorter  and  better  way ;  but  if,  on  the  contrary,  our  strangth 
be  hiferior,  or  hardly  eaual  to  that  of  the  enemr,  the  indirect 
attatk  must  be  preferred«  These  conaiderations  have  stonested 
the  third  jrfan,  td  be  fouM  in  my  note  cif  the  tSd  ultimo.  Tit  give 
execution  to  this,  I  would  collect  my  force  at  ihii  head  of  the 
St  Lawrence,  make  every  demonstratior  of  attacl^ne  Kingston, 
proceed  rapidly  down  tiie  river,  seise  the.nortiiem  banli  at  the 
villisge  of  ^Hamilton,  leave  acoips  to  fortify  antA  to  hold  it,  march 

3 ion  Montreal  witii  the  main  body,  effect  there  a  junction  with 
ampton^  and  take  a  position  which  shall  endile  you  to  secure 
wha1>'yottgain.  On  thisplan  the  navy  would  ptirfbrm  iti  piirt  tiy 
occupying  the  mouth  otthe  river,  and  pi^venting  a  pursuit  by 
watftrj'  by  clearing  the  river  of  the  Armed  boats  of  me  enemy ; 
by  holding  "with  its  own,  tiie  passq^e  at  Hamiltdn,  and  by  iiving 
su[»ort  to  that  position.  If  the  enemy  pursues,  it  muit  le  bt 
lana,  witiMut  subsistence,  (excepting  what  tie  carries  on  %is  bacley 
and  without  artillery.  If  he  remains  stationary,  hni  ntuation 
must  soon  become  even  more  serious,  as  the  countty  in  which  he 
is  cattmit  long  subsist  him.  It  will  then  but  remain  fitr  him  to 
fijSht  his  way  to  Qaebec,  to  ]>erish  in  the  attempt,  or  to  lay  down 
his  arms.  After  thiai  exposition,  it  is  unnecessary  to  add,  that 
in  conducting  the  present  campaign,  you  will  make  Kingstmi 
jQiir  pHmdrU  oljeety  and  that  you  will  choose  (as  circumstances 
may  warrant)  between  a  (direct  and  indirect  attack  upon  that  post 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JOHN  ARxMSTRONG. 
Maj.  Gen.  Wilkinson,  corttnd'g  district  No.  9.  ^  ^ 


** 


sm. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT,  August  901*  t813« 


iirf 


In  answer  to  that  part  of  your  letter  of  the  6th  instant,  wliichi 

cuXh  fer  information,  ikic»  on  certain  enumerated  |Knnte»  I  hava 

the  hommr  to  atate  i  > 

1st  l^iat  general  HMspton^s  instinctionsfo  only  tiNasseni^le 

and  organise  hisilivisiaii  at  Burlington.    It  is  intaniini  that  he 

shdl  operate  cotemporarily  with  yout  and  under  your  orders. 

in  prmocntion  <^  the  fdan  (^campaign  which  hat  been  given  to 


.M". 


▼ou. 


»g 


iid.  The  ffilioyp^  geawi^  qmunwiiduig  the  principal  amy  in* 
entitled  to  the  teirices  of  «  private  Becretar  J. 

34*  The  ordnuice  a<M  other  oepartmentB  of  supply  within  the 
dittnct  (No*  9<)are  aubyect  of  «|ur8e  to  your  orders. 

4th.  The  quarter  inaster  general  of  the  army  will  supply  the 
*" '1    ^  fiinds  for  secret  aeryiee.    ,, 

5fh^  All  orders  ito  aubordinate  oScers  paas  from  ^^e  war  de^, 
pariment  to  the  if4M<^9j^>S^*^!^i' ?  tp^be  cpmmranicated  br  Kim 
to  the  eeneral  coininuuiding  the  district  in  which  such  suopidi- 
nate  officer  may  sf^p.,  .,     v  - 

6th.  No  niedfic  penmssioQ  is  oece^sarjplDi^  removing  factious 
disc^^ly^  m^.    AU  such  will  projj^ly  become  rabjectf  of 


|tie  eonldcio^  repprta  to  be  inade  by  anspeQtors.  ITo,  detail 
such  men  iWiin^ one  district. to  anetiier,  iapnly  shifting  the,eyUf 
iihe  bettfir  way  is  to  rep<^  them  for  dinmimon, 

7th.  If  the  corps  M  fort  Geoige  be  recalled,  the  .works  fhould 

be  razed  or  occuined  by  a  fo|:ce  competent  to  hold  it  af[^nat,aii 

assauft.    There  is  a  coipa  of  militia  and  volunteers  (to  wh^m 

,mfb  Six  Nition  Indiana  nave  associated  themselves)  at  Black 

'  jptock,  ^ch  may  be  k^pt  in  ^rvice,    They  are  commanded  by 

aeuer^Porter  and  Mr.  Parnah.^  tft^u 

8th.  The  secretary  of  war  will  decline  and  forbid  aU  improper 
coQiinttiiicfitionar  and  particulai-ly  such  as  may  bear  any  colour 
of  iiwybttrdination. 

9di«  Beaideathe  ordinary  nM>'le.ot  communication  by.  mail,  ex- 
presses niay  be  employed  in  extraordinary  cases, 

loth.  The  dragpona  and  li§^t  artillery  corps  shall  be  made  effi< 
dent..  Horses  may  bebou^^t  for  both.  An  officer  from  each 
corpe  abould  be  directed  to  auperintend  the  purchases.'  ^rice 
(average)  not  to  exceed  ISO  dollars.  „ 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JOHN  ARM&TROKG. 

Hiy  •  €ien^  Wilkinfon,  comdf .  the  N,  Aimy.  .^^.  ...^  ^ 


'■it 


'■ii'?t' 


■..r 


.M  • 


to 


SIR, 


SACKETTS  HABBOB,  August  2l8t,  1813. 


I  arrived  here  yesterday:  my  machinerj^  is  in  motion,  and 
I  have  strong  hmea  of  giving  the*cliange  to  sir  George  which  will 
lead  directly  to  the  olqect  of  first  importance.  ii:, 

Cemmodove  Cbauncey  is  in  port  here,  and  his  antagonist,  sir 
Jamea  ¥eo,  at  KiagitoQ.  bi  the  late  interviewa  between  thes« 
navd  commanders,  the  first  has  zealously  soufj^t  a  combat,  which 
the  ktftar  baa  cautioiisly  avoided)  the  a^qpenority  <m  the  llkA 
thaefov*  rwMUttaatill  to  beaetttedr.bttit  IJnaveClMtuBcey?iMUMu>r 
ranee  for  it,  and  place  much  confidence  in  his  word ;  it  is  obvimM^ 
ly  shr  Jmms's  plan  to  decline  a  conflict ;  :biit  on  what  grmnd  I 
Qannot  determine. 


--■■■i       '^: 

,  i 

,  ! 

f 

l| 

!  ii'-3 

!li. 

lyiiiii 

i 


M. 


m 


.ndt'wrar^Ss^^ 


dIshiUlaful  ,  .      . 

afters)  tmepfleayoriiig  to  drftFllirQMi)^^ 

•wer  report,  «ia  Heaven  fiiToar  «)e»  I  WU*^^  P^  Fh  pVfMMUon.-or 


^iBt 


JMT^ri 


IQTI 


H  T^  i9|li«Hi||i;i]Mf<#»**Jf»T»i^ 
hean^lroiip  lpc^lft,ffr|,G^m,|^ 

metuHi,  wAue  inadenti  bejrona  tat  c<»A!farQa|^, 
veoe.to  pricri^iMifflWte  #|^^^oveme      «n4  %>> 


|jr»of  ML* 


thedHcttof 


tili»f  ».  «$ oeptajble  ui  Me  to  see  jm  aft  Nutgara,  from  wheii<pe, 

slurala  I  find  it  praelicable,  it  is  nij  inten^ipiitf,,Mi|iinMiMJ^^ 
»iip>v»noiil,4oiqfcthotoi<  i^utdMi4l^tl»  qftliejM^nioiith;  the 

beat»pQaii||lftjKqi»flitiffiii'^  of  t|ki|limttiir,  anil%,^e 

sefiirit/  of  tUYaiiii«MHP^{^wa])IA«0«IP% 

leave  Ifeere^  najcemdar,  joor  aflliQe  «nd  wlAoriij  iniUqifiimtlj 

wc&uwcy  to  av«rt  dantors  and  prevent  anj  obttnicdon  to  ipj 

^pnui!^ m>v«nietti( .  '*..<.-;.'..'-  ..-.   *   . 

I  ani,  flir«  joiir  oUdieiit  servaiit,  &c.    . 
<  JAS]^  WILI^INSO!^. 

Jiatt;ioha  AnnrtMMilv  teeretnjrafWar.  ^  i 


.1 

4« 


<^.Jtf|Beaiiii^iiMNlj|«iiiiM!eeN^ 
•  ptno0mimtl$$tmm  mmtiitmf^^  ow  tfaOreforo»  Ihe  dtciaion 

<Aiujra'iiioeii^.  .  xv^v  . .  .    .,;:»> 

I  leM^itaM^«MaiN'€»nteat  to  apia^oai  ibe  rawpaign,  «id 
gnib  tinnOiA^r  reildoA:enientg,  and  the  organization  oCniUtU; 


% 


A 


1919 

kttt  ifhe  will  not  CMle  <mt,  we  muit  Mockade  him.  I  |o  to  tKagaM 
the  moment  our  amnffements  are  matured  here.  8ir  George  hai 
actually  gjone  for  the  head  of  tfie  lake  with  a  reinforcelnent.  To 
prevent  hi«  playinetricka  with  Boyd,  I  have  aent  him  (Boyd)  th« 
note  of  which  you  liave  a  copy* 

On  Saturday  21st,  one  hundred  and  sixty  regttlalr  troopi  As* 
oended  by  (^ensburg  to  Kingston,  and  on  the  2Sd  and  24tha 
they  were  followed  by  nve  hundred  Highlanders  in  their  kilts,  who 
conducted  lip  one  hundred  boats.  Thus  we  see  that  this  quarter 
attracts  chief  attention.  All  my  efbrts  will  be  made  to  induce  sir 
Geoi^  to  draw  after  him  a  chief  part  of  the  garrison  of  Kinj^-' 
ton,  which  must  now  be  near  five  thousand  strong.  The  situation 
of  Proctor  and  the  irruption  of  our  Indians  have  gone  far  to  excite  ' 
these  dispositions.  Meet  me  at  Nittara,  if  possible,  and  for 
God's  sake  press  on  the  recruits  from  Albany  and  the  southward* 
and  send  me  Wadsworlh,  Swift,  Fenwick,  and  Izard.  All 
things  CO  well  here*  and  thank  €tod,  the  men:;are  recovering  ra- 
pidly. I  hear  not  a  word  from  Hampton.  I  hope  he  does  not 
mean  to  take  the  stud }  but  if  so,  we  can  do  without  him,  and  ho 
should  be  sent  home. 

Truly  yours, 

JAMES  WILKINSOI?* 
SecreUrjr  dt  Waft 

WAR  DEPARTMRNT,.SACiaiTT'8  H  AikbOit, 

'     September  0th,  18lS> 

DEAR  GENERAL, 

I  arrived  here  yesterday.  Nothing  new,  excepting  that 
Prevost  has  returned  to  Kingston*  General  Hampton  Will  go 
through  tiie  campaign  cordially  and  vigorouslv,  but  will  resign  at 
the  end  of  it*  He  will  be  ready  to  move  by  tne  flOth*  with  an  eff 
fective  regular  force  of  4000,  and  a  militia  dr^t^chment  of  1500* 
On  the  supposition  that  siclQeorge  had  decide^'  y  taken  hia  part^ 
and  had  chosen  the  penintala  aa  his  camp  de  ba^taile,  I  had  or- 
dered  Hampton  to  move  immediately  against  the  Isle  Aux  Noix* 
Two  thousand  miKtia  will  be  promptly  aaaembled  at  Champion* 
twenty -four  miles  from  this  place,  aira  on  the  route  to  the  St(i 
Lawrence*  The  place  was  selected,  as  oiTerins  two^  objects,  and 
of  course  leaving  nis  knightship  to  ctte«s.  To  have  pushed  them 
directly  to  Ogdensbarg^  would  not  kave  had  that  advantue*  A 
larger  draft  would  have  been  difficult*  Another  view  of  the  sub- 
ject is,  tiliat  thb  part  of  the  plan  cannot  be  oonfided  to  militift 
exclusively  i  they  must  be  propped  by  a  recular  corpe,  otherwiM^ 
the  back  dfoor  may  not  be  sufficiently  .cloaed  Mid  barred. 

The  baiUle  on  {he  lake !  Shall  we  have  one?  If  Yeo  fif^ta  UmI 
is  beaten,  all  will  be  well*  If  h*  does  not  fight*  the  resuli  may 
also  be  favourable. 

Tours  cordlallyi 

JOHN  A|lilSl1kQK4i(. 
(^neral  Wilkiiiaoit 


^4: 


tw 

^"  fttAD  4I7ABTII8,  CVPm  MAMNTlKr, 

JPCAR  SIR, 

Your  excellencj't  of  th«  4th  instant,  wu  delirered  to  me 

ietterdaj  morning,  bj  colonel  Bruih.  The  exertions  whidi  you 
sve  made,  and  fae  promptitude  with  which  your  orders  have 
bean  obejed,  to  assemble  the  militia  to  repel  the  late  invasion  of 
the  enemj,  is  truly  astcmishiac,  and  relects  the  highest  honour  on 
the  state. 

Believing,  that  in  a  formal  interview,  I  could  best  explain  te 
jott  the  intentions  of  the  ^vemment  and  mj  own  views,  I  deter- 
mined to  come  on  to  tiiis  place  to  see  you.  I  have  now  the  ho- 
■our  to  repeat  to  yon  in  tiiis  way,  the  result  of  my  determination 
«pon  the  emplojrment  of  die  militia,  and  most  of  the  facts  upoo 
which  my  determination  is  founded.    It  has  been  the  intention  of 

Gverament  to  form  the  army  destined  for  operation,  upon  the 
ie  Erie,  exclusively  of  regular  troops,  if  they  could  be  raised  ; 
the  number  was  limited  to  7000.  The  deficiency  of  the  regj^olart 
was  to  be  made  up  from  the  nulitia.  From  all  the  information  I 
at  jnresent  possess,  I  am  convinced  that  there  will  be  a  great  de- 
ficiency in  the  contemplated  number  of  troops,  after  the  militia 
now  in  service,  and  whose  term  <^  service  wul  not  expire  imme- 
diately, have  been  added  to  tiie  rM^lars.  I  have  therefore  called 
on  the  covemor  of  Kentucky,  lor  2000  effectives:  with  these, 
there  wifl  still  be  a  defect  of  perhaps  ISOO  troops.  Your  excel- 
lency  has  stated,  the  men  who  have  turned  out  on  this  occasion, 
liave  done  it  with  the  expectation  that  they  would  be  efEectuall/ 
employed,  and  that,  riiould  diey  be  sent  home,  there  is  no  |u-os- 
pect  of  getting  tfaero  to  turn  out,  should  it  be  hereafter  required* 
To  empfoy  them  all,  is  inqMMsible.  With  mjr  utmost  exertions, 
tiie  embarkation  cannot  be  eiectMl  in  a  lesa  time  than  15  or  IS 
4m 

Should  I  even  determine  to  substitute  them  for  the  reffular 
troops,  which  are  expected,  to  keep  so  large  a  force  in  the  field* 
even  for  a  short  period,  would  consume  the  means  which  are  pro- 
^ri^d  for  the  support  of  the  campaign,  and  which  are  only  calcu- 
lated for  the  number  of  men  above  stsled. 

I  would  recommend,  under  these  circumstances,  to  vour  excel- 
lency, a  middle  course,  yiit  to  dismiss  all  the  militia  out  two  re- 
nments  of  10  companies,  of  100  men  each,  and  an  usual  propw- 
tion  rf  field  and-jflatoon  non-commissioned  officers  and  musicians. 
That  thia  oorpa  m  encamped  at  or  near  this  plsce,  until  it  b  as-  ^ 
«ertBined>  whetiiw  their  service  will  be  wanted.  A  shturt  time 
Hill  determiiie  this  qoeatloit. 

Permit  me  to  reqvest  vour  excellency  to  give  your  countenance 
end  support  to  theixertiona  w4uch  generd  M* Arthur  will  make 
to  fill  up  tka  fi0di  regiment  of  12  month's  trooM. 

It  appeart  that  the  venerable  governor  <tf  Kentucky,  is  about 
lb  Jake  eonnand  of  the  troops  w  that  state)  could  your  excel- 


m 


m 


BBer  think  mp«r  to  fellow  hU  ettm|>le,  I  need  fioiteU  ^«  htw 
ij^lj  gratUjring  it  would  be  to,  dear  lir,  your  friend, 

WILUAM  H.  HARRISON. 

Te  hia  tsceUcncy  Gov.  llcigi. 


yj 


SIR. 


ON  BOARD  THE  SfflP  GENERAL  PIKE, 

AT  8ACKETT  8  HARBOR,  AagMt  lltb,  IIIO. 


34. 


I  arrived  here  this  ditj  with  thii  thipt  the  Madison,  Oneida* 
Governor  Tompkins^  Conquest,  Ontario,  Pert,  and  Ladj  of  the 
Laker  The  Fair  American  and  Asp,  I  left  at  Niagara.  Since  I 
had  the  honour  of  addressing  jou  last,  I  have  been  much  distressed 
and  mortified :  distressed  at  a  loss  of  a  (Mtrt  of  the  force  entrusted 
to  mj  command,  and  mortified  at  not  beiny^Mble  to  bring  the  ene- 
mj  to  action.  The  following  movements  and  transactions  of  th« 
a^uadron,  since  the  6th  instant,  will  give  you  the  best  ideas  of  the 
difllculttes  and  mortifications  that  I  have  had  to  encounter. 
'  On  the  rth,  at  dav^Ught,  the  enemy's  fieet,  consisting  of  tw* 
•hips,  two  brits,  and  two  large  schooners,  were  discovered  bear- 
ins;  west  nor^-west  distant  about  five  or  six  miles,  wind  at  west. 
Ac  5,  weighed  with  the  fleet  and  manouvred  to  gain  the  wind. 
At  9,  having  passed  to  the  leeward  of  the  enemy's  line,  and 
•breast  of  his  van  sh^p,  (the  Wolfe)  hoisted  our  colours  and  fired 
a  few  guns  to  ascertain  whether  we  oonld  reach  him  with  our  shot{ 
findicg  they  fell  short,  I  wore  and  Hauled  upon  a  wind  on  thtf 
itarboard  tack ;  the  rear  of  our  schooners  then  about  six  milea 
astern.  The  enemy  wore  in  succession  and  hauled  upon  a  wind 
on  the  same  tack,  but  soon  finding  that  we  should  be  aUe  to  wea- 
ther him  upon  the  next  tack,  he  tacked  and  made  all  sail  to  th» 
northward.  As  soon  as  our  rear  vessels  could  fetch  his  wake» 
tacked  and  made  all  sul  in  chase.  In  the  afternoon  the  wind  be- 
came very  li|^t,  and  towards  night  quite  calm.  The  schomiera 
used  their  sweeps  all  the  afternoon,  in  order  to  close  with  th« 
taemv,  but  withatst  suciiess.  Late  in  the  afternoon  I  made  the 
dgnal  of  recal,  and  formed  in  close  order  |  wind  dvaiiut  the  nif^t 
from  tlie  westwurd,  and  after  midnijght  squally ;  kept  aU  bands  at 

auarters,  and  beat  to  the  windwardT  in  hopes  to  gain  the  wind  oft 
le  enemy.  At  2  A.  M.  missed  two  of  our  schooner»— at  day- 
l^t  discovered  the  missins;  schooners  to  be  the  Hamilton  and 
Scourge.  Soon^after,  spoke  the  Governor  Tompkins,  who  informed 
me  tiiat  the  Hamilton  and  Scourge  both  overset  and  sunk  in  • 
heavy  squall  about  S  o'clock ;  and,  distressing  to  relate,  every 
soul  pendied,  except  16.  This  fatal  accident  deprived  me  at 
once  of  the  services  of  two  valuable  officers,  lieutenant  Winter 
and  sailing  master  Oi^;ood,  and  two  of  my  best  schooners,  mount- 
ing together  19  guns.  This  accident  dvins  decidedly  to  the 
Memy  the  superiority,  I  thenght  he  wtud  m»  adviRt4|e  ef  ity 


tu 


IH 


r  ,'■' 


ii  I 


^ficnlarlj  M  bj  a  eliMigt  of  wind,  h«  wm  tmin  brMtht  detd 
lowindwftrd  of  me ;  formed  the  line  upon  the  Tarboerd  tack  and 
hove  to.    Soon  after  6  A.  M.  the  enemj  bore  up  and  letttudding 
•ails,  apparentlT  with  an  intention  to  fairing  ut  to  action.    Whea 
he  had  approacned  ue  within  aboilt  four  milet,  he  broi«ht  to  on 
Ktarboaru  tack.  I  wore  and  brought  to  on  Mme  tack.  N^indinc 
the  enemy  had  no  intention  of  bringing  us  to  action.  I  edged 
awaj  to  gain  the  land,  in  order  to  have  the  advantagv  '^f  the  land 
breeze  in  the  afternoon.    It  soon  after  fell  calm,  and  '  directed 
the  schooners  to  sweep  up  and  engage  the  enemv.    About  noon 
we  got  a  light  breeze  from  the  eastward.    I  took  the  Oneida  in 
tow,  as  she  tails  badly,  and  stood  for  Uie  enemy.    ^Vhen  the  van 
of  our  schooners  was  within  about  one  and  a  half  or  two  milea 
of  his  rear,  the  wind  shifted  to  the  westward,  which  again  brought 
him  to  windward ;  a%  soon  as  the  breeze  struck  him,  he  bore  up 
lor  the  schooners,  in  order  to  cut  them  off  before  they  could  reioin 
me;  but  with  their  sweeps,  and  tiie  breeze  soon  reaching  tnem 
also,  they  were  soon  in  their  station.    The  enemy  finding  himself 
foiled  in  his  attempt  upon  the  schooners,  hauled  bis  wind  and  hove 
to.    It  soon  after  became  very  squally,  and  the  appearance  of 
its  continuing  so  during  the  night ;  and  as  we  had  been  at  quartern 
lor  nearly  40  hours,  and  being  apprehensive  of  separatins  from 
some  of  the  heavy  sailing  schooners  in  the  squall,  induced  me  to 
run  in  towards  Niagara,  and  anchor  outside  the  bar.    General 
Boyd  very  handsomely  offered  any  aMistance  in  men  that  I  might 
.require.    I  received  150  soldiers  and  distributed  them  indifferent 
vessels,  to  assist  in  boarding,  or  repelling  boarders,  as  circum- 
stances might  require.    It  blew  very  heavy  in  squalls  during  tha 
night.    Soon  after  day -light  discovered  the  enemy's  fleet  bearing 
north;  weighed  and  stoml  after  him.    The  winds  soon  became 
light  and  variable,  and  before  12  o'clock,  cjuite  calm.    At  5,  fresh 
Inezes  from  north,  the  enemy's  fleet  beanng  north,  distant  i^ut 
4  or  5  leagttos.    Wore  the  fleet  in  succession,  and  hauled  upon  a 
wind  on  me  larboard  tack.    At  sun-down  the  enemy  bore  N.  W.  ■ 
by  N«  on  the  starboard  tack.    The  wind  hauling  to  tne  westward, 
I  atood  to  the  northward  all  night,  in  order  to  ^n  the  north  shore. 
At  day-light,  tacked  to  ^e  westward,  the  wind  having  changed 
tonortK  north-west    Soon  after,  discovered  the  enomy's  fleet 
bearing  south-west ;  I  took  the  Asp  and  the  Madison,  the  Fair 
American  in  tow,  and  made  all  sail  m  chase.    It  was  at  this  time 
we  thought  of  realizing  what  we  had  been  so  long  toiling  for,  but  \ 
before  fS  o'clock,  the  wind  changed  to  west  soutii-west,  which 
brought  the  enemy  to  windward^tacked  to  the  northward.    At  3, 
th^  ^nd  inclining  to  the  northward,  wore  to  the  eouthward  and 
westward,  and  made  the  signal  for  the  fleet  to  make  all  sail.    At 
4,  the  enemy  bore  south  south-west,  bore  up  and  steered  for  him. 
At  5,  observed  the  enemy  becalmed  under  the  land,  nearing  him 
Very  fast,  with  a  flne  breeze  from  north  nor^-west    At  6,  formed 
tt«  order  of  battle,  within  about  four  milei  of  tiia  enemy;  the 


t)M 


'10 

nvind  at  this  time  terj  light.    At  7.  the  wind  changed  t»  south- 
.weit,  and  a  fifwh  breexe,  which  again  placed  the  enemy  to  wind« 
ward  of  me ;  tacked  and  hauled  upon  a  'wind  on  the  larboard  tack, 
under  easy  laiU  the  enemy  standing  aftvk-  uh.    At  9,  when  withi'i 
about  two  gun  shot  of  our  rear,  he  wore  to  the  southward — I  »t(K>d 
on  to  the  northward  undel*  easy  sail— the  fleet  formed  in  two  lines, 
a  part  of  the  schooners  forming  the  weather  line,  with  orders  to 
commence  the  fire  upon  the  enemy  as  soon  as  their  shot  would 
take  effect,  and  as  Uie  enemy  reacned  tl\|m,  to  edjg;e  down  upon 
tlie  line  to  wiiidward  and  pass  through  the  intervals  and  form  to 
leeward.    At  about  half  past  10,  the  enemy  tacked  and  stood 
after  uv.    At  11,  tiie  rear  of  our  line  opened  his  fire  upon  the 
enemy }  in  about  15  minutes,  the  fire  became  general  from  the 
weather  line,  which  was  returned  from  the  enemy.    At  half 
past  11,  the  weather  line  bore  up  and  passed  to  the  leeward,  ex- 
cept the  Growler  and  Julia,  which  soon  after  tacked  to  the  south- 
ward, which  brought  the  enemy  between  them  and  me.    Filled 
the  main-top-sail  and  edsed  awiiy  two  points  to  lead  the  enemy 
down,  not  only  toengace  nim  to  more  advantage,  but  to  lend  him 
from  the  Growler  and  Julia.    He,  however,  kept  his  wind,  until  he 
completely  separated  ^ose  two  vessels  from  the  rest  of  the  squad- 
ron, exchanged  a  few  shot  with  his  ship  as  he  passed,  without  in- 
jury to  us,  and  made  sail  after  our  S  scnouners.  Tacked  and  stood 
after  him.    At  18  (midnieht)  finding  that  I  must  either  separate 
from  the  rest  of  the  squadron,  or  relinquish  the  hope  of  saving 
the  two  which  had  separated,  I  reluctantlv  gave  up  the  pursuit, 
rejoined  the  squadron,  then  to  the  leeward,  and  formed  tne  line 
on  the  starboard  tack.    The  firing  was  continued  between  our 
2  ichooneni,  and  the  enemv's  fleet  until  about  1  A.  M.  when,  I 
presume,  they  were  obliged  to  surrender  to  a  force  so  much  their 
superior ;  saw  no  more  m  the  enemy  that  night :  soon  after  day- 
li^it  discovered  them  close  in  with  the  nom  shore,  with  one  of 
our  schooners  in  tow,  the  other  not  to  be  seen.    I  presume  she  may 
have  been  sunk.    The  enemy  showed  no  disposition  to  come 
down  upon  ui,  although  to  windward,  and  blowing  heavy  from  W. 
The  scnooners  laboring  very  much,  I  ordered  2  of  the  dullest  to 
run  ipto  Niaffara  and  anchor.    The  gale  increasing  very  much, 
and  as  I  could  not  go  into  Niagara  with  this  ship,  I  determined  to 
run  to  Genesee  bay,  as  a  shelter  for  the  small  vessels,  and  with  the 
expectation  of  being  able  to  obtain  provisions  for  the  squadron,  as 
we  were  all  nearly  out,  the  Madison  and  Oneida,  having  not  a  sin- 
gle day's  on  board  when  we  arrived  opposite  Genesee  bay.    I 
ound  there  was  every  prospect  of  the  ^le*8  continuing  and  if 
it  did,  I  could  run  to  this  place  and  provision  the  whole  squadron 
with  more  certainty,  and  neariy  in  the  same  time  that  I  could  at 
Genesee,  admitting  tiiat  I  could  obtain  provisions  at  that  place. 
After  bringing  the  breezes  as  for  as  (Iswego,  tiie  wind  became 
j^ght,  inclining  to  a  calm,  which  prolonged  our  passage  to  thta 
"d^  I  shall  provision  the  squadron  for  5  weeks,  and' proceed  iip 


m 


:''!11 


■■■*{»5 


,:':l^ 


ikt  lake  this  eyeuag,  tad  when  I  return  ag^inlhope  to  be  ablet* 
communicate  more  agreeable  news  than  this  communication  con- 
tains. 

The  loss  of  the  Growler  and  Julia,  in  the  manner  in  which  they 
have  been  lost,  is  mortifying  in  the  extreme;  and  although  theur 
commanders  disobeyed  m  J  positive  orders,  I  am  willing  to  believe 
that  it  arose  from  an  error  of  judgment,  and  excess  of  zeal  to  do 
more  than  was  required  of  them,  minking  probabl  j  that  theenemj 
intended  to  bring  us  to  a  general  action,  they  thought  by  gaining 
the  wind'of  him  they  n^ould  have  it  more  in  their  power  to  annoy 
and  injure  him  than  they  could  b^  formine  to  leeward  of  our  line. 
From  what  I  have  been  able  to  discover  of  the  movements  of  the 
enemy,  he  has  no  intention  of  engaging  us,  except  he  can  get  de- 
cidedly the  advantage  of  wind  ana  weather,  and  as  his  vessels  in 
squadron  sail  better  than  our  squadron,  he  can  always  avoid 
an  action— -unless  I  can  gain  the  wind,  and  have  sufficient  day- 
light to  bring  him  to  action  before  dark.  His  object  is,  evident-; 
ly,  to  harrass  us  by  night  attacks,  by  which  means  he  thinks  te 
cut  off  our  small  dull  sailine  schooners  in  detail.  Fortune  has 
evidently  favored  him  thus  far.  1  hope  that  it  will  be  my  turn 
next,  and  although  inferior  in  point  of  force,  I  feel  very  confident 
of  success. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCET. 
Hod.  Wm.  Jonei,  Secretaiy  of  the  Navy. 


SIR. 


UNITED  STATES,  FLOTILLA,  NEW  CAStLE, 

August  17th,  1818. 


I  have  just  received  a  letter  from  sdOing-master  Shead,  res- 
pectins  the  capture  of  the  gun-boat  No.  1 21  (a  cod^  of  which  I 
nave  uie  honor  of  inclosing  to  you.^  I  see  from  this  the  enemy 
had  7  killed  and  12  wounded,  4  since  dead.  1  am  convinced 
they  have  deceived  him,  both  as  to  the  number  of  killed  and  woun* 
dedf,  as  well  as  the  number  of  men  in  the  boats,  which  at  th* 
Smallest  calculation  could  not  have  been  less  than  250. 

I  have  the  honour  to  remain,  &c. 

SAMUEL  ANGUS. 
Hon.  Wm.  Jonei^  Secretaiy  of  the  Navy. 


(lH0LOSURB>)' 

ON  BOABD  H.  M.  SLOOP  MABTIN, 

Off  Rhode  bbnd,  August  6th,  1813. 

SIH, 

It  is  with  the  deepest  regret  that  I  announce  to  you  the  cap- 
ture of  the  United  States  gun-boat  No.  121,  under  my  commanda 
lij  the  boats  of  the  Junon  frigate  and  Martin  tloop  of  war,  8  hi 


■f   '"I     ?! 


199 

winiber,  S  of  vAtich  mounted  12  pound  carronadegf  and  carr^ring 
in  all  150  men.  At  10  minutes  before  meridian  on  the  27th  of 
July,  I  received  orders  from  jou  to  form  a  line  a  head  and  to  fire 
on  the  enemas  but  finding  myself  drove  away  from  the  squadron 
by  the  wind  ayine  away  and  a  strong  ebb  tide,  I  remained  sweep- 
ing and  firing  the  32  pounder.  At  the  same  time  finding  my 
iJiot  did  not  reach,  I  placed  all  hands  to  the  sweeps  to  endeavour 
to  gain  the  squadron.  At  20  minutes  before  1  P.  M^  I  com- 
menced firing  on  the  enemy's  boats  and  sweeping  at  the  same  time ; 
but  finding  I  could  sain  nothing,  I  anchored  to  receive  them  at 
American  tars  have  been  accustomed  to.  The  enemy  then  get- 
ting within  grape  reach,  I  commenced  it,  but  unfortunately  the 
inntle  of  the  lai^e  gun  ^ve  way  the  Ist  round ;  I  aeain  charged 
and  got  her  to  bear,  which  disdnar^  did  considerame  dami^e, 
but  tearing  my  gun  carriage  all  to  pieces.  I  loaded  with  the  hope 
of  getting  her  to  bear  again,  but  found  it  utterly  impossible  ; 
the  enemy  now  close  on  board,  discharging  voUies  of  shot  from 
tiieir  carronades  and  musketry,  I  called  the  boarders  and  smalt 
arms  men  away  to  repel  the  enemy ;  they  now  surrounding  ua, 
poured  in  a  heavy  fire  which  we  returned  with  as  much  prompt* 
ness  as  our  feeble  numbers  would  admit ;  several  of  my  mea 
having  now  fell,  our  ensign  halyards  shot  away,  and  seeing  the 
supenoritv  or  the  enemy's  force  in  the  act  of  boarding  us  in  every 

auarter,  they  began  to  fire  briskly,  and  I  found  it  necessary  for 
le  preservation  of  those  few  valuable  lives  left,  to  surrender 
to  seven  times  our  number :  the  enemy  boarding,  loaded  our  decks 
with  men ;  we  were  all  driven  below,  and  it  was  with  the  utmost 
difficulty  that  the  officers  could  stay  the  revenee  of  the  seamen, 
vAio  seemed  to  thirst  for  blood  and  plunder,  the  utst  of  which  they 
had,  by  robbing  us  of  evcrv  thing :  we  had  none  killed,  but  seven 
wounded,  five  slightly.  The  enemy's  loss  by  us,  was  seven  killed 
and  twelve  wouMod,  four  of  whom  have  since  died.  They  have 
conquered  me,  but  they  have  paid  dearly  for  it,  and  I  trust,  sir» 
when  you  come  to  view  the  disadvantages  that  I  laboured  under, 
having  been  but  seven  days  on  boai'd  my  boat,  and  scarcely  time 
to  station  my  men,  and  the  misfortune  of  entirely  disabling  my 
gun,  and  the  superiority  of  numbers  to  oppose  me ;  you  will  be 
convinced  that  the  flag  I  had  the  honour  to  weu-,  has  not  lost  any 
pf  that  national  character  which  has  ever  been  attached  to  it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c« 

WILLIAM  SHEAD,  SaUing  Master] 
lieut.  Samuel  Angui^ 

eemmandinif  U.  S.  Flotilla,  Delaware. 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  FORT  GEORGE,  August  irth,  181  J. 


In  the  last  letter  which  I  had  the  honour  to  address  to  you, 
I  had  to  commiMGttte  tbe  information  that  commodore  Chauncey 


j 

1                ''   ^ 

III 

i 
1. 

1 

if 

1-  . 

i  ■      ,      . 

il 


'U 


mo 

\      ■  • ' 

liad  left  this  part  ef  the  lake ;  Yesterday  am  express  arrived  front 
the  18  Mile  Creek,  stating  that  he  was  then  ofT  that  place,  in  pur- 
suit of  the  British  fleet,  which  was  likewise  to  be  seen. 

A  body  of  volunteers,  militia  and  Indians,  under  the  command 
of  brigadier  general  Porter,  of  the  New  York  militia,  having  ar- 
rived at  this  place,  and  very  impatient  to  engage  the  enemy,  a 
plan  was,  this  morning,  concerted  to  cut  off  one  of  his  pickets. 
About  300  volunteers  and  Indians  under  the  command  of  muor 
Chapin,  was  to  effect  this  object,  supported  by  200  regulars  under 
tiie  command  of  major  Cummings,  or  the  I6tn  infantry.  A  heavy 
rain,  and  other  untoward  circumstances,  defeated  the  primary 
object,  hut  in  n  skirmish  that  ensued,  in  which  the  enemy  were 
completely  routed,  our  Indians  captured  12  of  the  British  Indians, 
and  four  whites*  Many  of  the  enemy's  dead  were  left  on  the  field, 
among  whom  is  supposed  to  be  the^  famous  chief,  Norton.  Our 
loss  was  only  two  Indians,  and  a  few  slightly  wounded.  Those 
who  participated  in  this  contest,  particularly  the  Indians,  conduct- 
ed with  great  bravery  and  activity.  General  Porter  volunteered 
in  the  afluir,  and  maior  Chapin  evinced  his  accustomed  zeal  and 
courage.  The  regulars  under  maior  Cummings,  as  far  as  they 
were  engaged,  conducted  well.  The  principal  chiefs  who  led  the 
warriors  mis  day,  were.  Farmer's  Brother,  Red  Jacket,  Little 
Billy,  Pollard,  Black  Snake,  Johnson,  Silver  Hecfls,  Captain  Half- 
town,  Maior  Henry  O*  Ball,  (Cornplant^r's  son)  and  captain  Cold, 
chief  of  Onondago,  who  was  wounded.  In  a  council  which  was 
held  with  them  yesterday,  they  covenanted  not  to  scalp  or  mur- 
der ;  and  I  am  ha[^y  to  say,  tJiat  tliey  treated  the  prisoners  with 
humanity,  and  committed  no  wanton  cruelties  upon  the  dead. 

The  Canadian  volunteers,  under  major  Wilcox,  were  active  and 
brave  as  usual. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  fcc. 
JOHN  P.  BOYD,  Bris*  Qen,  Comndg, 
Hon.  John  Amutrong. 


H*mm 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTERS.  FORT  GEORGE,  Augwi  iSth,  1813. 


Yesterday  I  had  the  honour  to  address  you  a  letter,  dietuling 
the  conduct  of  the  Indians  in  a  late  skirmlidi.  Their  bravery  and 
humanity  were  equally  conspicuous.  Alrniy  the  ouietness  in 
Vrhich  our  pickets  are  suffered  to  remain,  eyinces  the  oenefitarik- 
ing  from  their  assistance.  Permit  me  to  suggest  the  propriety  of 
immediately  depositing  presents  for  them  lii  tiie  hands  of  Mr. 
Granger,  of  whose  exertions^  and  those  of  Mr.  Parrish,  I  must  ex- 
press my  approbation* 

I  have  {Ke  honoin*  to  be,  &c. 

JOHN  P,  BOYD,  Brig.  Gm, 

Hon.  John  Annitrong*  .    'rt 


,  1813. 


Btyof 
f  Mr. 
Btex" 

Oenr 


Ml 

ojjfcer  at  CKarUsimit  S,  C.  dated  JugustZlst,  1813. 

**  I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  that  the  privateer 
schooner  Decatur,  of  this  pcnrt,  arrived  here  yesterday,  witii  hit 
Britannic  n^esty's.  schooner  Dominico,  her  prize.  She  waa 
cafttured  on  tne  5th  instant,  after  a  most  gallant  and  desperate 
action  of  one  hour,  and  carried  by  boarding,  having  all  her  oAcei* 
killed  or  wounded.  9he  was  one  of  the  best  equipped  and  man- 
ned vessels  of  her  class  I  have  ever  seen.  The  Decatur  mounti 
seven  guns,  and  had  a  complement  of  103  men  at  the  commencd^ 
ment  <n  the  action,  nineteen  of  whom  were  kill€d  and  wounded. 

**  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

"JOHN  H.  DENT." 
Hon.  Wm.  Jonei^  Secretsiy  sf  the  Navy. 


snu 


HEAD  QUABTEBS,  FORT  UEORGB,  Aagurt  S4th,  IMS. 


I  have  the  honour  to  renort,  that  kt  day  break  this  momiitt 
the  enemy,  attacked  us  at  all  our  pickets,  which  retired  towarda 
tile  camp,  pnrsued  bv  his  advance  guards.  A  skirmish  ensued  in 
the  i^Ufp,  with  lit^e  elect  upon  us ;  after  which  he  retreated, 
having  come  within  reach  of  our  cannon,  but  neveir  within  musket-' 
shot  m  our  entrenchments.  One  captein  of  the  49th  and  a  few 
privates  have  been  brought  in  prisoners.  We  lost  two  men  and 
a  few  wcninded  i  the  enemy  left  about  fifteen  dead  on  the  different 

Sounds.  He  is  supposed  to  have  brought  his  whole  force  int» 
e  field }  but  findine  our  position  so  strong,  desisted  fron  a 
BnenU  attack.  Sir  Gewge  Prevost  was  in  person  at  the  attack* 
is  force  u  withdrawn  out  of  our  reach  into  nis  strong  holds. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c.  j 
JOHN  P.  B0YD,i»,l7.A 
Honi  J.  AmMtrongt  Secretsiy  of  War. 


SIR. 


CHABLESTON,  j(8  CO  August  90th,  1819. 


I  have  the  honomr  i»  aciniaint  you.  fliat  I  received  a  letter 


of  proceedittg'to  8«a,  mm  tM  wind  shifted  to  the  eastward ;  and. 
in  attempting  to  beat  wvt  me  bar,  one  of  them  (siqppesed  to  be 
the  Calibre)  ||0aiu|pd  OB  Mt  Seairce  Reef,  snd  in  a  short  time 
a^  bilged  slid  N^ittoe  a  complete  wreck.  The  crew  was  taken 
off  ht  tie  other,  frhi^  now  lies  about  five  lailea  £roiii  Bay  Pme^ 
watttDg  i  wind  to  pracM  to  sea. 


i:1 


■  a 


t  ■■'4- 

»  .   4 


m-M 


\i^ 


Mm 


m 


Midor  len^^  ttftte*,  ihfi  thej  landed  tirice  ait  a  fiUuitatioB  of 
Mr.  Pope's,  and  took  one  of  hU  Urge  canoes  olf,  with  some  provi- 
sions. It  appears  their  otnect  tQ,enterinK  Port  Royal  was  princi^ 
pallr  to  sound  the  bar,  and  roadstead,  which  they  have  effected, 
as  their  boats  were  seen  on  that  service  the  whole  time  they  were 
at  anchor.  The  officer  yrho  delivered  major  Jenkins's  letter  fiar- 
ther  states,  that  the  wreck  had  entirely  gone  to  pieces,  a  great 
|iart  drifted  on  shore,  among  which  were  her  boats  and  tiie  stolen 
canoe. 


HoDOuzsUe  William  Jonea^ 

.  Sedwtaiy  of  the  Nmy. 


I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JOHN  H.  DENT. 


^n 


^tMrad  of  a  Utter  from  General  Ferdituind  L,  Claibomtf  t^ 
Ckneral  Fhumoy,  commanding  the  7th  Military  District. 


SIR, 


<•  CANTONMENT,  MOUNT  VEBNON,  September  Sd,  1813. 


*'  On  the  dlst  ultimo,  I  had  the  honour  to  receive  your  letter  of 
Ifae  S4tb,  with  its  enclosure,  forwarded  by  express  to  me,  then  at 
E«8ley*8  station,  near  the  Credi  line,  and  about  85  milea  above 
tiiis,  on  the  Tombi^;bee. 

**  Colonel  Hawkins's  communications  for  some  time  j^t  have, 
unfinlunately  had  a  tendency  to  lessen  our  apprehensioni,  and 
tp  bc^iet  a  belief  of  our  almost  perfect  security.  My  little,  but 
inestimable  corps,  have  felt  the  effects  besotten  by  the  doul^ta 
which  existed  as  to.  the  real  intention  of  the  Greeks,  It  proba- 
Uy  prewnted  yourself,  i^d  certainly  governor  Holme^,  from 
aenduic  troops  t6  this  exposed  part  <^  the  country.  AJM^t  the 
dSd  urnmo,  i  received  information  that  ISQO  Indians  were  op 
the  eve  of  enterinsthe territory,  with  tiie  intention  to  attack  Ae 
upper  pests  in  thexoroliid^,  that  commanded  by  colonel  Carson 
in  the  fork  of  the  Tombi^e  and  Alabuna  rivers,  and  the  one  cm 
Tensaw  commanded  by  major  Beadey.  The  Indians  from  the 
Black  Warrior  were  to  attack  the  upper  posts;  and  those  from  Ihe 
Alabama,  that  on  Tensaw.  This  information  was  immediately 
eommunioated  to  ccrfonel  Carson  and  major  Beasley,  and  my  ar- 
rangements made  for  the  defence  of  the,  three  places  threatened, 
in  tte  beat  manner  of  which  the  limited  means  i  poss^sed  would 
wlmit 

**  With  80  men,  I  went  myself  to  fiaslev's.  and  wu  jmned  by 
two  detachments  of  v^unteer  nulitia  unoer  the  command  of  co- 
iMiel  Haines,  aid«de'<amp  to  «>vem<Hr  Holmes,  and  by  a  captain 
^asntr.  The  plflce  was  attacked  at  the  time  expected,  and  after 
•everal  unsuccMsfol  attempts  to  gain  intelligenee,  my  scouts  fell 
In  wMi  S  Ghocktaw  Indims,  from  whose  it^nnatiini  I  was  induced 
to  brieve,  timt  no  attack  would  soon  be  made.  In  fact  they  sejun- 
led  rather  to  inuauate  that  the  enemy  was  rather  intimidated*  ud 


if 


ptlOA 

after 
ifeU 
ivced 

Lud 


had  joined  them,  had,  df  the  instance  of  Pooihematiiha,  (a  mediil 

Shief)  ^thdrawii  from  tfaleih,  itttendiiig  to  reihun  neutral ;  and  lAiiki 
lej  had  reihOved  and  were  removing  from  the  scene  of  action 
to  a  more  itectire  phce  for  their  #ohien  and  childrOn.  This  I 
ascertiiihed  to  be  thefitct.  TheirtoWns  were  visited  bj  captaiii 
Wells  of  dragoons,  dhd  fOund  abifthdoned.  Under  thttse  circuni* 
stances  I  left  Easley'^s  station,  and,  oh  mj  waj  to  thik  postj  learned 
that  major  Beasley  had  been  attacked.  I  reached  thiii  place  at 
twelv^  o'clock  last  hidiht,  having  rbde  70  miles  since  mominr* 

**  The  attack  Od  major  Beasley  was  made  at  about  1 1  o'clock.  A* 
M.on  the  SOth  ultimo*  It  was  uneiqiected  at  the  indment  it  o^d-* 
cured,  but  the  whole  garrison  was  immediately  under  arms.  Thii 
front  sate  was  open,  and  the  enemy  ran  in  ereat  nuihbers  topes'* 
sess  tnemsevles^of  it.  In  the  contest  for  tne  gate  manj  fell  on 
both  sides :  soon,  however,  the  action  became  general,  the  enenij^ 
fighting  On  all  sides  in  the  open  field,  and  as  near  the  stockade 
as  thej  could  eot.  The  port-holes  were  taken  and  retaken  seve- 
ral times*  A  olock-house  was  contended  for  by  captain  Jack,  at 
the  head  of  his  brave  riflemen,  for  the  space  of  an  Hour  after  the 
(inemj  were  ih  possession  of  a  part  of  it,  when  finally  tiiey  sue« 
e^ded  in  driving  this  company  into  a  hOuSe  in  the  fort,  Una  hay- 
ing  stopped  man^  of  theport-holes  with  the  ends  of  rails,  possess- 
ea  themselves  of  the  walls.  From  the  Irouses  our  troops  made  A 
gallant  defence,  but  the  enemy  set  fire  to  the  roon,  and  ati 
attempt  to  extinguish  the  flames  proved  unsuccessful.  The  few 
#ho  remained  now  atfempted  to  retreat  under  the  direction  of 
captain  BaHey  of  the  militia,  and  ens%n  Chambliss  of  the  rifl<> 
company,  both  of  whom  had  been  badly  wounded.  Previously  to 
their  i>etreat,  they  threw  into  the  flames  many  of  the  guns  of  tile 
dead  men.  Few  of  them  succeeded  in  escapim;.  Both  tike 
officers  are  missing,  and  supposed  to  be  dead.  Nine  of  the  vo- 
lunteers and  tiiree  of  the  volunteer  militia  have  reached  this* 
several  of  them  wounded.  A  few  citizens  who  fought  in  the 
iiiockiMe,  but  not  enrolled  in  any  company,  also  escaped,  one  of 
them  leaving  a  wife  and  six  children,  who  were  probably  burnt  to 
death.  Major  Bessley  M\  gallantiy  fif^ting  at  the  head  of  his 
command  near  tite  eate,  at  the  commencement  of  the  action* 
Captaiii  Jack  wap  klUed  about  the  close  of  the  scene,  having  pre- 
VTonsly  received  tWo  woiinds.  Captain  Middleton  also  mstin- 
ffuished  himself,  havimr  received  four  or  five  wounds  before  he 
fell;  He  vnk  active  i^(<iu^t  bravely  from  the  commencement 
of  the  action' until  he  ^d.  Xieutenant  S.  M;  Osbom,  of  Wil- 
kinson county,  after  receiving  two  wounds,  was  taken  into  a  honse« 
but  reqtiested  to  die  on  the  i^trattd,  tiiat  he  might  as  lonr  n  pos* 
iible  see  the  men  fi|kt*  The  other  officers  fell  nobly  doing  tiieir 
dutyt  and  tiie  noit-eommissioned  officers  and  privates  deserve 
equMiy  welK    The  Action  tontinned  until  fttoin  the  evoniig. 


"til' 

.ill 

If! ' 


'VI  i 


lir! 


:  I 


•04 


'^i 


Hk 


yi 


,  ^OorloM  it  greats  lixtj-fiTe,  including  officers  and  men,  were 
killed  belonging  to  the  first  regiment  of  MiMissippi  territorr 
volunteers,  and  twenty  •seven  volunteer  militia,  officers  included. 
Many  respectable  citizens,  with  numerous  families,  who  had 
abandoned  their  farms  for  security,  were  also  killed  or  burnt  in 
the  houses  into  which  they  had  fled.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  must 
have  been  from  15Q  to  200  killed  and  wounded.  Their  force  it 
supposed  to  have  been  from  5  to  700. 

"At  the  mills  of  Messrs.  J.  and  W.  Pierce,  about  a  mile  from 
the  post,  is  a  small  guard,  commanded  by  lieutenant  Montgomery, 
vphich  were  stationed  previous  to,  and  at  the  time  of,  the  attack ; 
but  it  is  believed  he  abandoned  his  position  in  time  to  save  hii 
command.  He  has  not  jet  been  hterd  of,  but  1  hope  made  good 
his  retreat  to  Mobile. 

*'  Lieutenant  colonel  Ross,  whilst  at  Mobile,  hearing  of  the  fate, 
or  probahle  fate,  of  our  troops  on  Tensaw,  ordered  captain  Blue, 
of  the  7th  United  States*  regiment,  Mrith  100  men,  to  this  place, 
and  he  arrived  about  day-break  this  ncrning^,  and  will  here  wait 
your  orders.  We  are  busily  eneiged  in  fitting  this  cantonment 
for  defence,  and  will  be  prepared  to  give  a  good  account  of  the 
enemy,  should  an  opportunitv  offer.  They  will,  however,  not 
attack  us  until  they  unite  all  tneir  forces;  but  when  they  do,  you 
may  rely  on  their  being  warmly  received.  It  is  my  belief  that 
they  cannot  bring  a  force  against  us  which  we  will  not  be  able  to 
dereat ;  but  we  can  do  no  more  than  defend  ourselves  in  this 
place.  « 

"1  have  not  heard  from  colonel  Carson.  He  has  a  good  stockaae, 
and  a  garrison  of  about  150  volunteers,  and  vrithin  200  yards  is 
a  station,  in  which  are  many  families,  and  about  50  flighting  men. 
Should  tlie  Indians  attack  the  colonel,  he  will  certainly  defeat 
thenti.  Pent  and  Scott's  companies  are  ordered  from  Easley's  to 
$t.  Stephens,  where  are  also  the  broken  companies  of  Morrison 
and  FoelckiU.  In  the  Chocktaw  factory  at  St.  Stephens,  there  is 
much  public  property.  At  this  place  we  have  the  papers  belong- 
ing to  the  land-office ;  the  citizens  having  left  them  and  fled  to 
the  different  forts,  and  the  enemv  will  enrich  themselves  with 
plunder.  I  have  not  a  force  which  will  enable  me  to  guard  this 
•ztehsive  frontier,  and  the  country  must  rest  upon  governor 
Holmes,  in  part,  for  aid.  I  know  that  your  situation  will  not 
admit  of  your  drawing  much,  if  any  force,  from  Mobile  and  Mobile 

Sint,  and  tiiat  you  have  no  disposable  troops  on  the  Mississippi. 
anac,a  half  breed,  who  can  be  relied  on,  was  at  Pensacola  about 
^n  days  ago.  He  says,  tiiat  while  he  was  there,  three  vessels  with 
Spanish  troops  arrived.    , 

**  Judge  Toulmin  and  a  ereat  many  families  haje  left  this  part  of 
the  country,  and  i^ne  to  Mobile.  I  fear  many  negroes  will  run 
off  to  the  enemy ;  indeed  they  are  already  in  possession  of  about 
100  ^them,  and  a  large  quantity  of  stock  ana  other  property. 


AOi 

*•  8«  o'clock,  P.  M.  An  expregt  this  moment  uriTed  fhmi 
ttneral  Flourno^,  with  orders  for  the  3d  United  States'  re^pmient 
Id  march  immediately. 

**^The  volunteer  cavalrj  are  also  under  similar  orders." 


SIR, 


UNITED  STATES'  SLOOP  PRESIDENT, 

NewPlatUburg,  September  9th,  181^. 


I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  that  I  arrived  here  yesterday 
from  near  the  lines,  having  sailed  from  Burlington  on  the  6th, 
with  an  intention  to  fall  in  with  the  enemy  who  were  then  near 
thiti  place ;  having  proceeded  to  within  a  short  distance  of  the 
lines,  I  received  information  that  they  were  at  anchor  there.  Soon 
after,  they  weighed  and  stood  to  the  northward  out  of  the  lake; 
thus  if  not  acknowledging  our  ascendancy  on  the  lake,  evincing 
an  unwillingness  (although  they  had  the  advantaee  of  situation, 
owine  to  the  narrowness  of  the  channel  in  which  ^  their  galleyt- 
could  work,  when  we  should  want  room)  to  determine  it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

THOMAS  MACDONOUOH. 
Son.  Wm.  Joneib  Secretuy  of  the  Navy. 


p 

w 

Fl 

SIR, 


U.  8.  BKG  NIAGARA,  OFF  THE  WESTERN  SISTERS, 

Head  ofUke  Erie,  September  lOtb,  1813, 4  P.  If. 


It  has  pleased  the  Almighty  to  give  to  the  arms  of  the  United 
States  a  signal  victory  over  their  enemies  on  this  lake.  The  Bri- 
tish squaoron,  consisting  of  two  ships,  two  brigs,  one  schooner, 
and  one  sloop,  have  this  moment  surrendered  to  the  force  under 
my  command,  after  a  sharp  conflict. 

I  have  tlie  honour  to  be,  &c. 

O.  H.  PERRY. 
Hon.  Wm.  JoiMib  Secrstaiy  ofthe  Nsvf. 


SIB. 


V.  S.1RraOONER  ARIEL,  PUT-IN-BAY, 

September  13th,  1818. 


In  m^  last  I  informed  you  that  we  had  captured  the  enemy's 
fleet  on  this  lake.  I  have  now  the  honour  to  ^ve  you  the  mo«t 
impmtant  particulars  of  the  action.  On  the  mominj;  of  the  l6th 
instant,  at  sun-rise,  they  were  discovered  from  Put-m-Bay,  when 
I  lay  at  anchor  with  the  squadron  under  my  command.  We  got 
under  weigh,  the  wind  light  at  south-west,  and  stood  for  them.  At 
10  A.  M.  the  wind  hauled  to  southteast  and  brought  us  to  wind- 
ward; formed  the  line  and  bore  up*  At  15  minutes  before  12, 
the  enemy  commenced  firing ;  at  five  minutes  before  12,  the  action 
CMunenced  o,n  ow  part.    Finding  tiieir  fire  very  destructive 


i' 


■  t- 
i  ■ 


k0i 


-i 


'    »ilv'; 


li    ^a 


■•:!i 


•wing  to  their  long  gnni,  and  its  being  mostlj  diivetAl  At  {ti6 
Lawrence,  I  made  tail,  and  directed  the  other  vesftels  to  f6\\oir. 
for  the  purpoM  of  closing  with  the  enemj.  Everj  brace  ana 
bowline  oeing  soon  shot  awaj»  she  became  unmanageable,  not- 
withstanding  the  great  exertions  of  the  sailing  master.  In  this 
situation,  she  susuined  the  action  upwards  of  two'  fiours  within 
canister  distance,  until^  every  gun  was  rendered  useless,  and  the 
greater  part  of  her  crew  eitherlkilled  or  wounded.  Finding  she 
could  no  longer  annoy  the  enemy,  I  left  her  in  charge  of  liettten«. 
ant  Yamall,  who,  f  was  convinced,  from  the  bravery  already  dis- 
played by  him,  would  do  what  would  comport  with  the  honour  of 
the  flag.  At  half  past  two,  tiie  wind  springing  up,  captidn  Elliot 
was  enabled  to  bring  his  vessel,  the  Niacara,  gallantly  into  close 
action.  I  immediately  went  on  board'  ofner,  when  he  antlcit>ated 
my  wish  by  vUtinteering  to  brine  the  schooner  which  had  been 
kept  astom  by  the  lightness  of  the  wind,  into  close  action.  It 
was  with  unspeakable  pain  that  I  saw,  soon  after  1  got  onboard 
the  Niagara,  the  flag  of  the  Lawrence  come  down,  although  I  was 
perfectly  sensible  that  she  had  been  defended  to  the  last,  and  that 
to  liave  continued  to  make  a  show  of  resistance  would  have  been  a 
wanton  saciifice  of  tiie  remains  of  her  brave  crew.  But  the  en- 
emy was  not  able  to  take  possession  of  her,  and  circumstances 
soon  permitted  her  flag  agam  to  be  hoisted.  At  45  minutes  past 
f ,  the  signal  was  made  for  *'  close  action.'*  The  Niagara  being 
very  little  injured,  I  determined  to  pass  through  tl^e  enemy's  line, 
bore  up  and  passed  ahead  of  their  two  ships  and  a  brig,  vvii^  a 
raking  fire  to  them  from  the  starboai^  guns,  and  to  a  lane  schoo- 
ner and  sloop,  from  t^ie  larboard  side,  at  half  pistol  shot  distance. 
The  smaller  vessels  at  this  time  having  got  within  grape  and  can- 
ister distance,  under  the  direction  of  captain  Elliot,  and  keeping 
up  a  well  directed  fire,  the  two  ships,  a  Inig,  and  a  fdiooner  sur- 
rendered, a  schooner  and  sloop  making  a  vain  attempt  to  escape. 
Those  officers  and  n^en  who  were  immediately  under  my  ob- 
servation, evinced  the  sreatest  gallantry,  and  I  have  no  doubt 
^t  all  others  conducted  themselves  as  became  American  officers 
and  seamen.  Lieutenant  Yamall,  first  of  the  Lawrence,  altiiougjh 
several  timte  wounded,  refused  to  quit  the  deck.  Midshipman 
Forrest  (doing  duly  as  lieutenant)  and  sailing  master  Taylor, 
were  of  great  assistance  to  me.  I  have  great  pain  in  statiltt;  to 
you,  the  death  of  lieutenant  Brook  of  the  marine,  and  midshin- 
man  Laub,  both  of  the  Lawrence,  and  midshipmaii  Jolm  Clarae 
of  tiie  Scorpion :  they  were  valuable  and  promising  (Mleert.  Mr* 
Hambleton,  purser,  who  volunteered  his  serviees  on  deek,  was  ^ 
severely  wounded  late  in  the  action.  Midbhipm^  Claxton  and 
Swartout^  of  the  LawrenibcJ,  were  severely  wonndid.  (Ml  b(i«rd 
the  Niagara,  lieutenanta  St^iffi  and  Edwards,  and  midl^pman 
Webster  (doing  doty  as  sailing  master)  behaved  in  a  very  hand- 
some manner.  Captain  Brevoort  of  the  army,  ivho  acted  as  a 
Xolanteer  in  the  capaci^  of  a  marine  offices*,  on  boai^  that  vessel, 


to 


Iwai 

Ifuid 

id- 


\k  •»  txc^Umt  nad  br«f  •  «iic«r,  and  with  hb  vniiltetry.  did  irMt 
•xc^atioii.  •  I^ieut^entnt  Twnier,  commanding  the  Caledonio* 
brought  that  vetael  into  action  in  the  most  able  manner,.and  is  as 
officer  that  in  all  situations,  may  be  relied  on.  The  Ariel,  lieute- 
nant Parker,  and  Scor[^on,  sailing  master  Champlin,  were  enabled 
to  get  early  into  action',  and  were  of  great  service.  Captain  El- 
liot speaks  in  the  lughest  terms  of  Mr.  Ma^th,  purser,  who  had 
been  despatched  in  a  boat  on  service,  previous  to  mjr  getting  on 
board  the  Niagara ;  and,  being  a  seaman,  since  the  action  has  ren- 
dered esaentnu  service  in  taking  charge  of  one  of  the  prizes.  Of 
captain  BUiot,  already  so  well  known  to  the  government,  it  would 
be  almost  superfluous  to  speak ;  in  thb  actfon,  he  evinced  his  cha- 
racteristic bravery  and  judgment  i  and,  rince  the  close  of  the 
action,  has  (^ven  me  4he  moat  able  and  essential  assistance. 

I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  you  a  return  of  the  killed  and 
l|rounded,  toeetiier  with  a  atatement  of  the  relative  force  of  the 
squadrons.  jThe  captain  and  first  lieutenant  of  tiie  Queen  Char- 
lotte, and  first  lieutenant  of  the  Detroit,  were  killed.  Captain 
Barclay,  senior  officer,  and  the  commander  of  the  Lady  Prevost. 
severely  wounded.  Tlieir  loss  in  killed  and  wounded,  1  have  not 
yet  been  able  to  ascertain ;  it  must,  however,  have  been  very  great* 

Yery  respectfully,  &c. 

a  H.  PERRr. 
Hon.  Wn,  Jone%  Beoretaiy  of  the  Nnvy. 

SMtemxiA  of  tikBfaret  of  ihe  BriHah  aquadron. 

Ship  Detroit,  19  guns-^1  on  pivot  and  2  howitzers. 

Queen  Charlotte,  .  .  -  -  17  guns,  1  '  do. 
Schooner  Lady  Prevost,  "  -  IS  dok  1  do. 
Brig  Hutter,  -        -        -      10   do.     - 

Sloop  Little  Belt,      «        ,.       .  S   do.     •       - 

Schooiler  CUppeway,     -       k       *     ^   do.  and  S  swiveli. 

63  guns. 


Note— The  Detroit  is  a  new  alup,  very  stron|^y  I'lil^  and 
mounts  long  twentf-fours,  eif^iteens,  and  twelves. 

SMtmmii  qf  Uuforu  of  «fte  United  8tat€»^  aquadroiu 
Brig  Lawrrace,       «        •       SO  guns* 
Niagara,     -       •        •    90   do. 
Caledoua, 
Schooner  ^jriel, 

ScorpuMH 
Somero,      •       • 
Sloop  trippe,         -I 
SchoioiMr  Tygress,    •■      « 
f ercupine. 


S 

4 
8 
S 
1 
1 
1 


do. 

do.  (1  burst  early  in  action) 

do. 

do.  and  Sawivela 

do. 

do. 

do. 


t 


54  gang* 


pl 

W''  ■ 

p'' 

\2  ■:  ■•'  ■ 

^. 

-iK-'-'v  ; 

'Hi 

"i-j  ^.. -. 

li, 

■      ^  .  . 

■><: 


Vhe  eiact  namber  vf  the  enemj'i  forte,  Hm  not  been  tscer- 
ieined,  but  I  have  good  reaioii  to  believe  that  it  exceeded  oure,  by 
oearlj  100  men.  ' 

Lift  of  kiUed  and  wownded  m  hoard  the  United  Statee*  squadron, 
under  command  of  0,  H»  Perry,  eeq,  in  the  action  of  the  lOth 
of  ekptember,  1813. 

[Two  davt  previous  to  the  action,  57  men  unfit  for  duty  in  the- 
amall  ve88els.j 

Ob  beard  the  Lawrence,— Killed  S2,— Wounded  61— Total  83 


Niagara, 

Caledonia, 

Somers, 

Ariel, 

Trippe, 

jikorpion. 


£ 
0 
0 
1 
0 

s 

£7 


£5 
S 

£ 
S 

£ 
0 

96 


V 
8 

ft 
4 
ft 
ft 

123 


8.  HAMBLETON,  Purur. 
O.  H.  Pbbrt,  Captain  and  Senior  qffieer. 


SIR, 


UMTTED  STATES'  SHIP  GENERAL  PIKE, 

Off  Duck  lalmnd,  September  ISt^  1813. 


On  the  rth,  at  da^-Iig^t,  the  enemy's  fleet  was  discovered 
olose  in  with  Nia^a  river,  wind  from  the  southward  ^— made  the 
sisnal,  weighed  with  the  fleet  (prepared  for  action^  and  stood  out 
ofthe  river  after  him ;  he  immediately  made  all  sail  to  the  north- 
wahl*  We  made  sail  in  chase,  with  our  heavy  schooners  in  tow, 
and  have  continued  the  chase  all  around  the  lake,  nij^t  and  day, 
until  yesterday  mominff,  when  he  succeeded  in  getting  into  Am- 
herst Imt,  wluch  is  so  little  known  to  our  pilots,  ana  said  to  be 
full  of  shoals,  that  they  are  not  willing  to  take  me  in  there.  I 
ehall,  however,  (unless  driven  from  my  station  by  a  g;ale  of  wind) 
endeavour  to  watch  him  so  close,  as  to  prevent  his  getting  out 
upon  the  lake. 

buring  our  long  chase  we  frequently  got  within  from  one  to  two 
miles  of  the  enemy,  but  our  heavy  sauing  schooners  prevented 
our  closing  vrith  him,  until  the  1 1th,  08"  Genesee  river ;  we  carried , 
a  breeze  with  us  while  he  lay  becalmed,  to  within  about  three 
fourths  of  a  mile  of  him,  when  he  took  the  breeze,  and  we  had  a 
running  fight  of  three  and  a  half  hours,  but  by  his  superior  sailing, 
he  escaped  me  and  run  into  Amherst  bay  yesterday  morning,  ui 
the  course  of  our  chase,  on  the  11th,  I  cot  several  broadsides  from 
ii^g  ship  upon  the  enemy,  which  must  have  done  him  considerable 
jiijury,  fts  many  of  the  shot  were  seen  to  strike  him,  and  people 


were  obMrrcd  wtr  the  •id«,  plugging  shot  holes.  A  fbw  iihet  ttnick 
our  hull,  and  a  little  rigging  wm  cu^  but  nothing  of  importanoo-* 
not  a  man  was  hurt. 

I  was  much  disappointed  that  sir  James  refused  to  fight  me, 
as  he  was  so  much  superior  in  point  of  force,  both  in  guns  and  men, 
having  upwards  of  sO  guns  more  than  we  have,  and  heaves  a 

greater  weiriit  of  shot.  This  ship,  the  Madison,  and  the  Sylph, 
ave  each  of  them  a  schooner  constantly  in  tow,  yet  the  othera 
cannot  sail  as  fast  as  the  enemy's  squadron,  which  gives  him  de- 
cidedly the  advantage,  and  puts  it  in  nis  power  to  engage  me  when 
and  how  he  chooses. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c, 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY, 
Hon.  Wm.  Jonei,  Secreteiy  of  the  Navy. 


SIR, 


CANANOAIGUA,  8epteiiibei{14th,  1813. 


A  large  number  of  the  patriotic  citizens  of  this  and  the  ad- 
jacent towns,  anxious  to  do  their  duty  in  a  crisis  so  interestinj;  to 
the  nation  in  general,  and  to  this  part  of  the  country  in  particu- 
lar, have  associated  themselves  to  volunteer  their  services  to  the 
United  States  for  the  retidue  of  the  campaign  at  lea$t» 

In  order  to  effectuate  their  intentions,  however,  it  will  be  ne- 
cessary that  their  movements  should  receive  your  approbation 
and  sanction,  and  that  they  should  be  assured  of,  that  tne  corjM, 
whether  a  company,  battalion,  or  (as  is  possible^  a  regiment, 
should  be  received,  organized,  and  countenanced  oy  your  order 
and  authority.  The  lateness  of  the  season,  and  the  anxiety  of 
the  members,  induce  us  to  request  an  early  and  authoritative 
reply,  that  the  association  may  oe  equipped  accordinc  to  law, 
and  be  useful  to  their  country  (nis  sei^on.  It  may  not  oe  hardly 
decorous  for  us  to  say  it,  but  we  must  observe,  that  the  subscribers 
will  prove  to  be  obedient  and  brave  soldiers. 

In  their  behalf,  I  am,  &c. 

DANIEL  RODMAN. 
MijorgenenJ  WUkinMn, 

or  the  oiBcer  conunaiiding  «t  Fort  Getwfe. 


SIR, 


V.  8.  NAVY  YABD,  PORTSMOUTH, 

September  14th,  1813. 


I  have  the  honour  to  forward  to  you,  by  the  mail,  the  flags  of 
the  wte  British  brig  Boxer,  which  were  nailed  to  her  mast  heada 
at  t|^e  time  ^he  ehgaged,  and  was  captured  by  the  United  States' 
briji  £nterprize. 

^reat  as  tiie  pleasure  is  that  I  derive  from  performii^  this  part 
of  Jmy  duty,  I  need  not  tell  you  how  different  my  feelings  wouM 
e  been,  could  the  gallant  Burrows  have  h^^  thjs  honour ! 

87 


s^g^ 


JIO  \ 


He  went  into  ictton  meet  gtlUntW,  and  the  difference  of  ii\iur}r 

r  to  b«,  &c. 
ISAAC  HULL, 


done  the  two  veieeU  provee  how  bout  he  fought. 

I  have  tne  honour  to  b«,  &c. 


Hon.  Wm.  Joiie%  Sccretuy  of  Um  Navy. 


SIR, 


BLACK  ROCK,  September  irth,1813. 


In  coniequence  of  encouragementa  from  general  Boyd,  that  a 
general  and  decisive  movement  was  about  to  m  made  by  the  army, 
and  that  an  additional  force  was  desirable,  we  repaired  to  fort 
George  about  five  weeks  ago,  with  500  men,  consisting  of  volun- 
teers, militia,  and  Indians.  Most  of  us  remained  here  for  twelve  ot 
fourteen  days,  but  our  hopes  not  being  realized,  the  men  contin- 
ually dispersed  and  went  home,  not  however  without  expecta- 
tions, again  encouraged  by  generals  Bovd  and  Williams,  th  it  w 
should  be  shortly  called  on  again  to  aiciin  operations,  which  u.f 
people  in  this  part  of  the  countnr,  ao  long  harrasaed  by  thr>  calam* 
ities  of  war,  feel  so  strong  an  interest  in  forwarding.  Under  sim- 
ilar expectations  numy  ofour  friends  in  the  interior  have  intimated 
to  us  tneir  readineaa  to  join  with  respectable  reinforcements  on  the 
shortest  notice :  and  we  are  informed  that  one  company,  about  70 
atrong,  is  actually  on  its  march,  and  will  arrive  here  to-day  or  to- 
morrow. 

We  are  at  thia  moment  much  at  a  lose  how  to  act,  and  our  dif- 
ficulty is  increaaed  by  the  various  rumours  and  conjectures  circula- 
ted by  the  different  ofiicuis  daily  arriving  from  head  quarters, 
some  of  whom  represent  Uiat  no  offensive  operations  are  to  be  under- 
taken on  this  frontier,  but  that  the  regi'iar  army  is  immediately 
to  be  marched,  either  to  the  east  to  attack  Kingston,  or  to  the  west 
to  join  general  Harrison.  Othfra  state  that  an  attack  is  to  be 
piade  on  tlie  British  forces  in  the  vicinity  of  this  place. 

Under  these  circumstances,  we  are  induced  to  inquire  of  ^ou 
whether  such  a  force  as  we  have  it  in  our  power  to  raise  is  desired 
by  you  to  effectuate  your  plans,  and  if  so,  in  what  numbers,  and  at 
what  time  ?  If  your  oligect  be  to  sally  out  upon  the  enemy  at  fort 
George,  we  could  bring  yon  a  respectable  forc^  But,  on  the  con- 
trary, if  you  meditate  an  attack  at  some  .)l:'.r  i^miit,  and  the 
withdrawal  of  the  regulai  troops  from  fort  r.«>t<:  ,■;  -  A  plac'  l 
thia  frontier  on  the  dennsive  only,  by  mean.  uud^  we  would 

observe  that  our  prepared  force  is  <^  such  a  character  a«  could  aft 
be  engaged  in  this  service. 

Upon  the  supposition  that  vou  intend  to  withdraw  the  rj^lar 
'r')ow  from  this  frontier,  we  beg  leave  to  submit  a  proposition  for 
y-iit;  ronsidfiratioHt  \ 

"^.V"  lkr!i . 'e  we  :*ie  not  incorrect  in  ea^ng  that  it  would  reqj|ire 
i>.-^rly  nuite  as  g:'^.;at  a  force  to  defend  this  nne  of  frontier  against 
u  givei\  torce  of  t^ie  em^my,  as  it  would  to  attack  and  subdue  tliat 


rouid 

liar 
for 

ioBt 


411 

»n«my.    Sir  Omtm  Pt* evMt  hai  ordered  die  militiA  of  the  upper 

grovince  to  be  ^le<l  o«i  L«n  in*iic.    They  are  to  assemble  un 
aturday  next.    And  il,  after  ymu  depaiture,  the  enemy  opposite 
here  ihould  take  it  in  his  hear'  to  retain  all  hta  regvilar  forcv,  and 

ElajofTliii  akill  a|(drnst  tlie  inexperience  ofeur  militia,  we  miv;^ 
Ave  occasion  to  tear  a  repetition  of  former  acenes  in  the  pf*eent 
war. 

Our  propoiition  (in  caie  of  your  leaving  thia  place)  is,  that  we 
be  permitted  to  raise,  between  this  and  the  irst  of  OctolMr«  a  vol- 
unteer force  of  from  1,000  to  1,^  men,  exclusive  of  Indians. 
That  we  add  to  it  as  many  of  the  militia  stationed  im  the  lines  as 
may  be  willing  to  join  us.  That  we  be  furnished  Mnth  a  sntall  train 
(sa?  4  pieces)  of  field  artillery^  widi  experienced  oflicera  and  men 
to  tight  them ;  and  that  with  this  force  we  be  authorized  to  intad^ 
the  enemy's  country. 

Should  you  think  proper  to  confer  such  an  authority  on  us,  and 
direct  that  the  volunteers  shall  be  furnished  with  anns,  ammuni- 
tion, provisions,  &c.  and  receive  pay  while  in  acmal  s«<rvice,  we 
pledge  our  lives  that  before  the  close  of  the  season  «r<<.  will  occupy 
the  whole  of  the  valuable  and  populous  peninsula  opposite  this 
riirer,  and  either  capture,  destroy,  or  dispera*  all  the  eneiniy's  forc« 
in  this  quarter. 

You  may  perhaps  make  it  conrenient  to  send  ail  answer  by  the 
bearer,  captain  Hall. 

We  are,  sir,  most  respectfyiUy ,  fcci 

PETER  B.  PORTER, 
CYRENIUS  CHAPIN. 
JOSEPH  M.  M*CLURS. 

lii^or  general  WUkinson. 


FORT  QEOBGB,  September  18Ui,  1813. 
GENTLEMEN, 
Your  letter  of  yeiterday  which  reached  me  last  evemng,  gtvefl 

SMI  a  claim  to  my  aoknowledgmenta,  and  to  those  of  your  cou  titry. 
ut  as  1  am  altogether  unauthorised  by  law  or  instruction  to  banc- 
tion  ^r  plan  ror  the  levy  of  a  body  of  v(rfunteers,  and  as  your 
anticipations,  propositions,  and  suggestions  embrace  a  range  and  a 
character  upon  Wnieh  1  have  neither  right  nor  authority  to  delib- 
eralei  1  have  considered  it  my  duty  to  transmit  a  copy  of  your  letter 
to  the  secretary  of  war,  now  at  Sackett'i  Harbor,  oy  express,  for 
his  d^beration  and  decision. 

I  hope  he  may  find  it  convenient  and  (uroper  to  meet  yoiir  views^ 
and  have  only  to  add,  that  you  shall  be  advised  of  his  answec 
wtthottt  a  moment's  delay,  amr  it  may  reach  my  handst 

WitJb  huEh  consideration  and  respect^ 
JAMES  WILKINSON' 
to  Peter  B.  Porter,  nmlor  Cyreniui  Chspin,  and  Joseph  M.  M'Cliret 


i 


im 


!»';!, 


m 


I    m 


21a 

£xiraet  of  a  letter  from  general  Wilkinson  to  the  Secretary  of 
Wart  dated  September  HOtK  1813. 

*'  I  am  well  agaliii  and  that's  a  ffood  thin^,  for  I  have  been  during 
my  sickness  somewhat  of  a  smeu  fungus. 

"  Now  indeed  would  be  a  fine  time  to  slip  into  the  St.  Lawrence 
if  Chyuncej  could  keep  sir  James  blockaded  above  Kingston,  and 
command  the  river  below  at  the  same  time,  and  our  preparations 
were  <;ompletelj  matured,  but  it  is  an  herculean  task  to  extract 
ordet  rom  chaos.  No  time  has  or  shall  be  lost  on  my  part;  but 
we  cannot,  when  prepared  at  all  points,  conti'oul  the  wmds.  It 
was  last  nieht  only  the  transports  from  Oswego  anived }  and  if  I 
am  not  hardly  opposed  by  weather,  I  hope  I  shall  have  1000  men 
afloat  by  the  36th,  and  complete  my  embarkations  on  the  30th,  after 
which,  until  we  reach  Grenadier  Island,  I  must  look  to  our  squa- 
dron and  the  heavens  for  safety. 

*'  Chauncey  tells  me  he  is  liable  to  be  blown  off  from  his  statios^ 
and  in  hucH  case  sir  James  may  slip  out  by  him,  but  promises  to 
follow  him.  It  is  material,  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  following 
and  cutting  our  rear,  that  some  competent  force  should  take  post 
on  the  St.  Lawrence  below  Kingston;  and  I  pray  of  you  to  make 
this  arrangement  with  Chauncey.  Before  I  left  sackett's  Harbor, 
I  ordered  a  dozen  slip  keel  boats  to  carry  50  men  each,  and  to  row 
30  oars,  to  be  armed  with  a  light  cannon  in  their  bow. 

*'  This  armament  is  to  sweep  the  St.  Lawrence  of  the  enemy's 
gun  boats,  and  to  take  post  in  advance  wlien  and  wherever  it  may 
be  advisable.  I  beg  you,  if  necessary  on  your  part,  to  give  effect 
to  this  order. 

"We  have  just  received  advice  confirmatory  of  a  naval  combat  on 
lake  Erie,  in  which  it  is  said  Perry  has  taken  the  whole  British 
squadron  on  the  10th  instant,  and  brought  the  vessels  into  "  Put- 
ney harbor  at  the  islands"— 4iis  own  vessel,  the  Lawrence,  barely 
capable  of  being  floated.  The  action  lasted  six  hours.  This  will 
cancel  your  news  from  our  commodore. 

"The  enclosed  letter  from  general  M'Clure  breathes  a  good  spi- 
rit, but  he  will  not  be  up  for  several  days.  In  the  mean  time  I 
shall  prepare  his  orders,  to  be  ready  to  give  him  the  commands 

*'  A  body  of  horse,  a  small  one  at  that  point  where  the  fate  of  the 
island  is  to  be  decided  by  combat  (for  believe  not  that  we  shall  get 
possession  of  Montreal  without  a  battle)  will  be  invaluable.  Burn 
has  been  ordered  hence  sometime  before  my  arrival,  to  recruit  his 
cavalry  and  prepare  them  for  action,  and  I  shall  order  him  by- 
express  to-morrow  to  incline  by  indirect  dilatory  marches  towards 
Hamilton,  there  to  look  for  f\irther  orders,  somewhere  about  Ant- 
werp or  that  quarter.  From  Denmark  or  Champion  he  is  to 
advise  the  commanding- officer  at  Sackett's  Harbor  of  his  move- 
ments. 

*'  De  Rottcnberg  is  under  the  full  belief  that  I  mean  to  attack  him, 
and  I  shall  keep  up  the  delusion  as  long  as  possible./ 


ii>.3 


• 


213 

'  **  The  snail's  pace  of  the  reinforcements  approaching  tliis  divl- 
Bion,  and, pardon  me,  their  direction  and  route  occasion  me  sur- 
prize. Or  what  avail  will  be  the  detachments  under  colonels 
Randolph  and  Coles,  which  are,  I  learn  from  Washington,  on 
their  march  to  this  place,  where  they  cannot,  or  will  not  arrive 
before  the  15th  proximo.  If  these  detachments  had  been  ordered 
on  by  all  the  available  water  communications  from  Annapolis  to 
Albany,  they  could  have  reached  Sackett's  Harbor  in  season^and  a 
column  of  800  men  would  have  been  found  an  important  desidera* 
tum  in  our  impending  operations.  Where  also  are  the  1000  mem 
reported  to  me  by  colonel  Duane  as  being  ready  for  march  before 
I  reached  Philadelphia?  I  must  hope  near' Sack ett's  Harbor.  I 
put  these  questions  to  you  that  I  may  apprize  you  of  facts,  that 
you,  with  whom  it  rests,  may  apply  the  remedy,  for  I  find  we 
possess  little  military  subordination  or  respect,  and  that  a  chief 
of  an  army  is  obeyed  more  from  courtesy  than  principle  or  pro^ 
fessional  obligations. 

"  I  send  this  by  the  privateer  Fox  to  commodore  Chauncey,  with, 
ft  request  that  he  accelerate  its  progress  to  you.  This  place 
neither  stops  a  gap,  extends  our  possessions,  nor  covers  or  pro- 
tects a  country;  it  is  good  for  nouehU  but  to  command  the  grouml 
It  occupies,  and  therefore  1  shall  aismxintU  and  aJbandon  it.'' 


Mxtract  of  a  letter  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  to  general  tfU' 

kinson,  dated 

SACKETT'S  HARBOR,  September  32(1, 1S13. 

DEAR  GENERAL, 

"Your  letters  of  the  16th,  irth, and  18th instant, have  beek 
this  moment  received ;  I  hasten  to  answer  them.  The  main  ob- 
ject must  be  prosecuted ;  Chaunce;^  is  not  broken  down ;  he  can 
and  will  command  the  lake.  ^i>d  whde  he  does  so,  our  position  at 
Fort  George  maybe  maintained.  If  the  enemy's  sick  list  amounts 
to  one  thousand  four  hundred  out  of  three  thousand,  the  enemy 
can  undertake  nothing  with  effect.  In  this  view  of  the  subject, 
close  with  P.  B.  Porter^s  p'oposition,  made  in  the  following  woi-ds, 
viz:  '  Our  proposition  (in  case  of  your  leaving  this  place)  is,  that 
we  be  permitted  to  raise,  between  this  and  the  1st  of  October,  a 
volunteer  force  of  from  one  thousand  to  o;.e  thousand  two  hun- 
dred men,  exclusive  of  Indians;  that  we  add  to  it  as  many  of  the 
militia  stationed  on  the  lines  as  may  be  willing  to  join  us;' that  we 
be  furnished  widi  a  small  train  (say  four  pieces  of  field  artillery 
with  experienced  officers  and  men  to  fight  them)  and  that  witti 
this  force  we  be  authorized  to  invade  the  enemy's  country.'  Rod^ 
man's  corps  may  join  Porter.  Any  volunteers  you  may  have 
irith  the  army,  whose  times  are  near  expiring,  and  who  are  de- 
xtrous ((f  continning  in  service,  may  do  so  also.    Wc  will  cover 


■■i.  i§ 


414 

the  whole  bj  a  requisition  upon  governor  Tompkins  tor  additional 
militia.  The  encmj*8  fleet  have  left  the  Chesapeake,  Ilielieve  for 
Halifax,  whence  the  land  troops  are  to  be  sent  into  Canada : 
another  motive  for  quick  movements^ 

*•  Mj  last  letters  bj  Chauncej  of  thfe  18th  or  19th,  gave  you 
all  we  yet  know.  Prevost  has  left  Kingston,  it  is  said  for  Que* 
beck;  more  probably  for  Montreal. 

#  *•  Yours  faithfully  and  forever, 

"  JOHN  ARMSTRONG." 


lIL 


'u  ■  :i 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  major  general  Harrison  to  the  Secretary 
,  of  Wary  datied 

<*HEAD  QUARTERS^  BASS  ISLAND,  September  22d,  1813. 

*' The  greater  part  of  the  troops  are  here  with  me,  and  the 
whole  will,  I  believe,  be  up  by  twelve  o'clock.  I  shall  proceed, 
as  far  as  the  Middle  Sister  m  the  course  of  liie  night  and  to-mor- 
row, and  in  the  following  night  get  so  near  the  enemy's  coast  aa 
to  land  two  or  three  miles  l^low  Maiden  by  eight  o'clock  in  the 
morning.  The«e  prospects  may,  however,  be  retarded  by  adverse 
winds.  Commodore  rerry  gives  me  every  assistance  in  his  pow- 
er." 


ri'y  Ir  ;■ 


im  ^  I 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  AMHERSTBURG. 

September  23d,  1813. 

SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  that  I  landed  the  army 
under  my  command,  about  three  miles  below  this  place,  at  three 
o'clock  this  morning,  without  opposition,  and  took  possession  of 
the  town  in  an  hour  aften  General  Proctor  has  retreated  td 
Sandwich,  with  his  regular  troops  and  Indians,  having  previously 
burned  the  fort,  navy  yard,  barracks,  and  public  store  houses— 
the  two  latter  were  very  extensive,  covenng  several  acfes  of 
ground.  I  will  pursue  the  enemy  to-morrow,  although  there  is  no 
probability  of  overtaking  him,  as  he  has  upwards  nf  1000  horses, 
and  we  have  not  one  in  the  army.  I  shall  think  myself  fortunate 
to  be  able  to  collect  a  sufficiency  to  mount  the  general  officers^ 
It  is  supposed  here,  that  general  Proctor  intends  to  establish  him- 
self upon  the  river  French,' forty  miles  from  Maiden. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &ct 

WILLIAM  H.  HARRISON^ 

The  Secretary  of  War. 


^ 


315 

V.  8.  SCHOONER,  ARIEL, 

PuUri-Bay,  September  24th,  1813. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  acquaint  you  that  about  1200  troops 
were  yesterday  transported  to  a  small  island,  distant  about  four 
leagues  from  Maiden,  notwithstanding  it  blew  hard,  with  frequent 
squalls.  This  day,  although  the  weather  is  not  settled,  the 
squadron  will  a^ain  take  over  as  many  more.  We  only  wait  fnr 
favourable  weather  to  make  a  final  move,  I  need  not  assure  you, 
sir,  that  every  possible  exertion  will  be  made  by  the  officers  and 
men  under  my  command  to  assist  the  advance  of  the  army ;  and 
it  affords  me  great  pleasure  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  say,  that 
the  utmost  harmony  prevails  between  the  army  and  navy. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

0.  H.  PERRY. 
Hon.  Wm,  Jones,  Secretaiy  of  the  Navy. 


0IR, 


NASHVILLE,  September  24th,  1813. 


You  will  forthwith  call  out,  to  rendezvous  in  the  shortest 
practicable  time,  at  Fa^etteville,  Lincoln  county,  2000  of  the 
militia  and  volunteers  of  your  division,  and  march  them  to  repel 
an  approaching  invasion  and  attack,  to  be  made  by  the  Creek  In- 
dians on  the  frontier  of  Madison  county,  M.  T.  and  the  frontier 
of  this  state ;  which  information  1  have  this  mome?it  received,  by 
.  express,  from  captain  M'Clellan,  of  the  United  States'  army,  com- 
"^'manding  officer  at  fort  Hampton,  communicated  under  cover  of  a 
letter  received  from  captain  Brahan,  of  Huntsville.  The  United 
States'  contractor  will,  by  your  order,  furnish  provisions,  and  W. 
B .  Lewis,  esquire,  assistant  deputy  quarter  master,  will  furnish 
ammunition  and  other  neciessary  supplies  in  his  department.  You 
will  require  the  muster  master,  or  inspector,  colonel  R.  Hayes,  to 
muster  the  troops  into  service.  Delay  is  inadmissible.  You  will 
observe  my  order  of  the  14th  August  last 

Your  obedient  servant, 

WILLIE  BLOUNT, 

M<^jor  general  Andrew  Jackioii, 

3d  division  Tennessee  militia, 


SIR, 


U.  8.  SHIP  GENERAL  PIKE,  NIAGARA  RIVER, 

September  25th,  181S. 


After  I  had  the  honour  of  addressing  you  on  the  I5th,  I  con- 
tinued to  blockade  the  enemy  until  the  irth,  when  the  wind 
blowing  heavy  from  the  westward,  the  enemy  having  run  into 
Kingston,  anH  knowing  that  he  could  not  move  from  that  place 


|.n.| 


nc 


li 


'^i 


before  t,  ehftigw  of  wind,  I  took  the  opportunity  of  running  into 
Sackett's  Harbour. 

I  reinuned  but  a  few  hours  at  the  Harbour  and  left  it  at  day- 
light on  the  morning  of  the  18th,  but  did  not  arrive  here  until 


.to  follow  me  up  the  lake. 

There  is  a  report  here,  and  generallj  believed,  that  captain 
Perry  has  captured  the  whole  of  the  enemy's  fleet  on  lake  Erie. 
If  this  should  prove  true  in  all  its  details,  (and  God  grant  that  it 
may)  he  has  immortalized  himself  and  not  disappointed  the  high 
expectations  formed  of  his  talents  and  bravery. 

1  have  learnt,  from  a  source  which  can  be  depended  upon,  that 
we  did  the  enemy  much  more  injury,  in  our  encounter  on  the  1 1th, 
than  I  had  expected  :  I  find  that  we  killed  captain  Mulcaster,  of 
the  Royal  George,  and  a  number  of  his  men,  and  did  considerable 
injury  to  that  ship,  as  well  as  several  other  vessels.  It  was  truly 
m'l  fortunate  that  we  could  not  have  brought  the  enemy  to  a  general 
action  on  that  day,  as  I  am  confident  the  victory  would  have  been 
as  complete  as  that  upon  lake  Erie.  I  have,  however,  the  conso- 
lation to  know,  that  every  exertion  was  used  to  bring  him  to  close 
action.    If  we  did  not  succeed,  it  was  not  our  fault. 

t  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ISAAC  CUAVNCEY^ 

lion.  William  Jones, 

.Sc«ret«r>'of  the  Navy,  Washington, 


GENERAL  ORDERS 

'  Of  Debarkatitm,  of  March,  and  of  Battle. 

HEAD  QUARTERS,  ON  BOARD  THE  U.  8.  SCHOONER  ARIEL, 

September  20th,  1813. 

As  it  is  the  intention  of  the  general  to  land  the  army  on  the 
enemy's  coast,  the  following  will  be  the  on*  *r  of  debaduition,  of 
march,  and  of  battle : 

The  right  wing  of  the  army  will  be  composed  of  the  Kentucky 
volunteers,  under  the  command  of  his  excellency  governor  Shel- 
by, acting  as  major  general.  The  left  wing,  of  the  li^t  corps  of 
lieutenant  colonel  Ball,  and  the  brigades  of  generals  M' Arthur 
and  Cass.  The  arrangement  is  made  with  a  view  to  the  localities 
of  the  ground,  u^ion  which  the  troops  are  to  act,  and  the  composi- 
tion of  the  enemy's  force,  and  is  calculated,  in  marching  up  the 
lake  or  straight,  to  place  our  regular  troops  in  the  open  |;round  on 
the  lake,  where  they  will  probably  be  opposed  by  the  British  regu- 
lars, and  the  Kentucky  volunteers  in  uie  woods,  wluch  it  ia  pre* 


mimed  will  be  occupied  by  the  enemy's  militia  and  ladiaaffi 
When  the  signal  h  given  for  putting  to  the  shore,  tfie  corps  of 
lieutenant  colonel  Ball  will  precede  the  left  wing :  the  reanment 
of  volunteer  riflemen  the  right  wing :  these  corps  will  land  with 
the  utmost  celerity,  consistent  with  the  preservation  of  good  or- 
der, and  as  soon  as  landed,  will  seize  the  most  favourable  position 
for  annoying  the  enemy  and  covering  the  disembarkation  of  th* 
troops  of  the  line.  General  Cass's  brinde  will  follow  colonel 
Ball's  cc^,  and  general  Calmes  the  volunteer  riflemen.  The 
regiments  will  land  and  form  in  succession  upon  those  vrhich 
precede  them.  The  right  wing,  witli  its  left  in  front,  displs^ying 
to  the  right ;  and  the  left  wing  with  its  right  in  front,  displayine 
to  the  left.  The  brigades  of  generals  King,  Allen,  and  Cfudwell, 
will  form  successively  to  the  right  of  general  Calmes.  General 
M' Arthur  and  Childs's  brigades  will  form  the  reserve.  The  ge  j 
neral  will  command  in  person,  the  right  brigades  of  generala 
Cass  and  Calmes,  assistea  by  major  general  Henry.  His  excel- 
lency governor  Shelby  will  have  the  immediate  command  of  three 
brigades  on  the  right,  assisted  bjr  major  general  Desha.  As  soon 
as  the  troops  are  disembarked,  the  boats  are  to  be  immediately 
sent  back  to  the  fleet.  It  will  be  observed  that  the  order  of  land- 
ing, here  prescribed,  is  somewhat  that  of  direct  eschelons  de* 
ployed  into  line  upon  the  advanced  corps  of  the  ri^t  and  left 
wing.  It  is  the  intention  of  the  general,  however,  that  all  the 
troops  which  are  provided  with  boats,  should  land  in  as  quick, 
succession  as  possible ;  and  the  general  officers  command  towarda 
the  extremities  of  the  tine,  are  authorized  to  deviate  from  the  ar- 
rangement to  counteract  any  movement  of  the  enemy,  by  landing 
any  part  of  their  commands,  previously  to  the  formation  of  th» 
corps,  which  is  hrrein  directed  to  precede  them.  The  corps  of 
lieutenant  colonel  Ball,  and  the  volunteer  rifle  re^ment,  will 
maintain  the  position  tliey  occupy  on  landing,  until  the  troops  of 
the  line  are  formed  to  support  thein ;  they  will  then  retire  through 
the  intervals  of  the  line,  or  to  the  flanks,  and  form  in  the  rear  of 
the  line. 

A  detachment  of  artillery,  with  a  six,  four,  and  three  pounder 
and  howitzer,  will  land  with  the  advanced  light  corps;  the  rest 
of  the  artillery  will  be  held  in  reserve,  and  landed  at  such  point 
as  major  Wood  may  direct. 

The  point  of  landing  for  the  reserve,  under  brigadier  general 
M< Arthur,  cannot  now  oe  designated ;  it  will  be  made  to  support 
any  point  of  the  line  which  may  require  aid,  or  be  formed  on  the 
flanks,  as  circumstances  may  render  necessary.  The  arrange- 
ment for  landing  the  troops,  will  be  made  entirely  under  the  di- 
rection of  an  raicer  of  fiie  navy,  whom  commodore  Perry  has 
been  so  obliging  as  to  offer  for  that  purpose.  The  debarkation  of 
the  troops  will  be  covered  by  the  cannon  of  the  vessels.  The 
troops  being  landed,  and  the  enemy  driven  oft',  or  not  om»osing 
the  landing,  the  army  will  change  its  front  to  the  left,  ana  form, 

28 


K'' 


t, , 


HHHft-r 


t  I 


h 


i 


I 


h! 


I 


:*! 


)t 


'^; 


ini 


If 


f'i 


» 


.  : 


k>l\ 


I  iili 


IB  order  of  batUf  |nt  the  folloi^ng  npaQner.  The  two  b^Kades  of 
regular  troops,  and  two  of  the  volunteers,  to  be  formea  in  t^o 
lines  at  right  angles  to  the  shore  of  the  lake.  Generals  M' Arthur's 
brigade  and  Caunes  to  form  the  front  line,  and  Cass's  and  Childs's 
the  second  line;  the  resular  troops  still  on  the  left;  that  fiank  of 
^  Iwth  lines,  resting  on  uie  shore,— the  distance  between  the  tMro 
lines  mil  be  300  yards.  The  remaining  three  brigades  of  volun- 
teers will  be  drawn  u),  in  a  single  line  of  two  ranks,  at  ri^ 
angles  to  the  line  of  march,  its  head  upon  the  right  of  the  front 
line,  forming  a  crotchet  (en jpotence)  with  that  line,aAd  extendins 
berond  the  second  line.  The  corps  of  lieutenant  colonel  BklT 
wul  form  the  advancle  of  the  left  wing,  at  the  distance  of  300 
yards,  tiie  r^ment  of  rifle  volunteers,  the  advance  of  tl)e  right 
wing,  at  the  same  distance.  . 

Some  light  pieces  of  artiltery  will  be.  placed  in  the  road  lead- 
iiig  up  the  hke,  and  at  such  other  points  as  major  Wood  may 
direct  When  tiie  order  is  given  for  marching,  the  first  a^d 
aecond  lines  will  advance  by  files  from  the  heads  of  companies! 
in  other  words,  these  two  lines  will  form  two  columns,  marchinjg 
by  their  flfiiiks  by  companies  at  entire  distances.  1' he  three  bn^ 
gad^i  on  tiie  rigJ^tflauK  will  b^  faced  to  the  left  and  marched 
forward— the  head  of  this  column  still  forming  en  potence  with 
the  front  line^  It  is  probable  that  the  two  bri|;ades  of  the  front 
line  will  extend  from  the  lake,  some  distance  into  the  woods,  on 
the  ris^t  flank,  and  it  is  desirable  it  should  be  so:  but  should  it 
^  otherwise,  and  th^  crotchet  or  angle  be  at  any  time  ?!i  the 
open  ground,  hts  excellency  covemor  Shelby  wifi  immediately 
jirolong  the  front  line  to  the  ri^t,  by  adding  to  it  as  many  con^ 
panies  of  ihte  leading  brigade  of  the  flank  column  as  win  bring 
the  angle,  and  cgnsequenUy  the  flank  column  itseif,  completely 
witlnn  the  woods.  It  is  to  be  presumed  that  the  enemy  will 
make  their  attack  upon  tiie  army  on  its  march,  that  their  regular 
t|tM)ps  will  form  their  right  upon  the  Idee,  Dieir  militia  occupy  the 
l^und  between  the  regulars  and  tiie  woods,  and  tiie  Indians  the 
woods. '  The  fbrmatidn  herein  prescribed  is  iiitended  to  resist  ui 
arrangement  'of  this  kind.  Should  the  general's  conjecture  on 
that  subject  prove  correct,  as  it  must  be  evident  tliat  the  right  of 
the  enemy  cannot  be  turned,  and  on  that  wing  his  best  troops 
must  be  plaoed,  it  will  be  proper  to  refuse  him  wr  left»and  direct 
our  principal  eflbrt  to  ui^cover  the  At^k  of  his  regulars  bv  drivmg 
off  his  inilitia.  In  the  ^vent  supposed,  therefore,  it  will  be. pro- 
per to  bring  up  a  p|irt  or  the  whole  of  general  Cass's  brigade,  to 
assist  the  charge  mkdeby  general  Calmes,  or  that  the  former 
should  change  positions  with  th(B.  brigade  of  volunteers  in  the 
second  lijie.  Should  the  geneial  think  it  safe  to  order  the  whole 
of  Cass's  brigade  to  th^  nf^U  without  replacing  it  with  another, 
general  Cass  will  inarch  to  the  right,  formed  in  oblioue  esch<plons 
^companies*  It  wiU  be  the  business  of  general  M< Arthur,  in 
the  event  of  us  wing  being  refused  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  ene* 


m 


4t$ 

Xikf,  with  the'aitlslauce  of  the  artillery,  to  prevent  his  front  Une 
at  least  from  interrupting  the  pnwress  of  our  right.  Should  tho 
enemy's  militia  be  defeated,  the  origAde  of  ours  in  advance  wUl 
immediately  wheel  upon  the  flank  ot  tne  British  regulars,  and  |;en* 
eral  M'Arthur  will  advance  to  attack  them  in  front.  In  the  mean 
time,  his  excellency  |^vemor  Shelby  can  tt&c  the  brigade  in  re- 
serve  (»f  the  second  line  to  prolong  the  flai^  line  from  its  front 
or  left,  or  to  reinforce  any  weak  part  of  the  line.  In  all  casea 
where  troops  in  advance  are  obliged  to  retire  through  tiiose  who 
are  advancing  to  support  them,  it  will  b^  done  by  companies  in 
files,  which  will  retire  through  the  intervals  of  the  advancing  lin#> 
and  will  immediately  form  in  rear.  The  light  troops  will  be  par- 
ticularly governed  by  this  direction. 

The  disposition  of  the  troops  on  the  ririit  flank  is  such  aa  the 
commandini^  general  thinks  best  calculateato  resist  an  attack  from 
Indians,  which  is  only  to  be  expected  from  that<|ttarter.  Hisexcel- 
lency  sovei^or  Shelby  will,  however,  use  his  discretion  in  inaking 
any  alteration  which  his  experience  and  iud^ent  ma')  diictate* 
Lieutenant  colonel  Ball,  lieutenant  colonel  Simral,  and  the  gen- 
ml  officers  commanding  on  the  flank  line)  are  to  send  out  small 
detachments  in  advance  of  the  two  former  corps,  and  to  tlw  flank 
of  the  latter*  Should  they  discover  the  enemy,  in  force,  immedi- 
ately notice  will  be  sent  to  the  lines.  Tlie  general  commanding 
<m  uie  spot  will  immediately  orde^  thesignals4>r  forming  in  ordor 
p(  battle,  which  will  be  the  beat  "to  omu." 

Ail  signals'  will  be  immediately  repeated  by  i^l  the  drums  pf 

te  line— the  signal  for  the  whole  to  halt, is  the  retreat..  Druma 
ill  be  distributed  along^  the  heads  of  companies,  and  tho  tapr 
occasionally  given  to  regulate  their  march. 

Lieutenant  colonels  Ball  and  Simral  are  to  keep  the  general 
constantly  advised  of  the  discoveries  made  by  the  advanced  par- 
ties. Where  it  shall  tecome  necessary  for  the  corps  of  Ball  and 
Simral  to  retire,  they  will  form  on  the  flank,  or  in  the  rear  of 
generals  M* Arthur's  and  Calmes's  brigades,  and  receive  the  wdera 
of  the  brig^iers  respectively. 

Brigadier  general  Cass  will  designate  such  officers  as  he  may 
deem  proper,  to  assist  captain  Elliott,  of  the  navy,  in  the  arrange- 
ment of  tne  troops.  The  general  will  be  the  signal  for  the  whde 
to  move.    By  command, 

EDMUND  P.  GAIKES,  Coi,  A43,  Gen. 
Truly  copied  from  the  original. 

ROBERT  BUTTLER,  ^.Mj,  den* 


im^ 


\ 

\ 
! 

i 
1 

.aii 


ir,  m 
en^- 


MlAGiklk,  September  37tfa,  1813, 6  o^dock.  A.  M. 
DEAR  SIR, 

I  received,  at  eight  o'clock  last  i^vening^  your  interesting  letteit : 
of  the  29d,  and  shall  employ  iik  authorizations  to  thebtitpofr* 
aibleefl^t.  * 


'IU\ 


fifteeil  Hundred  men  vrere  embarked  with  orders  to  sail  the 
day  before  yesterday,  but  a  strong  easterly  wind  has  made  it  im^ 
possible  to  mov^. 

The  whole  force,  say  three  thousand  combatants,  after  deduct- 
tina;  the  garrisons  of  Fort  Georce  and  Nia^a,  were  ready  for 
embarkation  yesterday,  and  as  the  weather  is  serene  at  this  mO' 
ment,  I  hope  the  whole  may  be  able  to  move  at  dusk  this  day  :  I 
say  at  dusk  becau'ie  I  am  desirous  to  keep  my  neighbours  under 
a  delusion  as  long  as  possible ;  they  are  perplexed  as  to  my  inten- 
tions, and  will  not  be  able  to  penetrate  them  before  they  have, 
discovered  the  tourse  of  my  flotilla. 

I  have  authentic  information  from  York  the  evening  of  the  24tk 
instant.  The  brigade  of  the  militia  in  the  vicinity  were  required 
to  asseipble  the  25th,  and  six  hundred  men  of  the  41st  ana  49tK 
regiments,  second  battalion,  were  daily  expected  there  on  their 
route  to  tiiis  neighboiiiood :  this  is  good  ;  and  still  better,  three 
spacious  block  houses  are  ordered  oy  sl^-  George  to  be  erected 
at  York. 

But,  sir,  here  is  one  drawback ;  the  tantalizing  sir  James  Yeo 
was  in  shore  with  his  fleet  on  the  evening  of  the  24th,  (Friday) 
about  twenty -eight  miles  east  of  York.  Where  he  is  now,  we  know 
not,  for  he  has  not  since  been  heard  of,  and  Chauncey  is  j[u8t 
sending  out  the  Lady  of  the  Lake  and  the  Neptune  to  reconnoitre 
York  and  the  coast  in  that  quarter.  What  may  be  the  views 
of  the  knight  i  to  gasconade,  to  retard  my  movement,  or  to  en- 
able De  Iwttenberg  to  follow  me  ?  I  am  unable  to  divine  ;  but 
will  not  be  longer  delayed^  and,  therefore,  shall  be  twenty  miles  to 
the  eastward  before  to-morrow  morning,  should  the  weather  per-^ 
mit.  If  sir  James  can  be  discovered,  Chauncey  will  seek  him, 
otherwise  he  will  sail  with  me  to  cover  my  left  flank.  ^ 

As  we  have  not  a  moment  to  lose,  !  shall  proceed  directly  to 
Crrenadier  Island,  writing  you  and  Stmdicur  orders  to  the  com- 
manding officer  by  a  despatch  boat,  en  pamnt 

After  all,  wc  are  so  straitened  for  transport  that  we  shall  nof 
'find  room  for  more  than  fifteen  day's  provisions ;  indeed,  we  have 
little  more  to  spare  from  this  position,  and  therefore,  cur  sole  de- 
pendence must  be  on  the  magazines  at  Sackett's  Harbor,  of  which 
the  contractor  should  be  personally  advised .    Heaven  protect  you. 

Truly  yours, 
JAMfeS  WILKINSON. 
Jlonounible  John  Annsirong",  \ 

.   .  Secretary  oi  War< 


«IR, 


U.  8.  8CH00NEB  ARIRL,  MALDEN  HARBOR, 

September  27th,  1813,  5  P.  M< 


I  have  the  honour  to  acquaint  you,  that  the  army  undef . 
teajor  general  Harrison,  have  this  moment  mtfched  into  Maiden^ 


.►'.t*--'v 


*.  M* 


Mrithsttt  oppotition,  and  that  the  squadron  are  now   '■  anchor  q$ 
the  town. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

Ow  H.  P£RRY« 
*rhe  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


'^ 


•mttm 


dm* 


U.  S.  FBIOATR  PllE«roENT» 

Newport,  September  37tli,  1813. 


Your  having  been  informed  of  my  leaving  Boston  on  the  23d 
of  April  last,  and  of  my  departure  from  Presuldnt  Roads  in  com- 
pany with  the  Congress,  on  the  SOth  of  the  same  montli ;  it  now 
only  remains  for  me  to  make  you  acquainted  with  my  proceedings 
since  the  latter  date. 

In  a  few  hours  after  E^ttidfl;  to  sea,  the  wind,  which  had  beeti 
light  from  the  westward,  shifted  to  the  south-east  and  obliged  me 
to  beat,  consequently  prevented  our  getting  clear  of  the  bay  until 
the  3d  of  May,  when,  in  the  afternoon,  while  in  chase  of  a  British 
brig  of  war,  near  tiie  shoal  of  Oeorve's  Bank,  we  passed  to  wind- 
ward of  three  iuiil,  two  of  which,  nrom  their  apptorance  and  the 
information  previously  received,  I  judged  to  oe  the  La  Hogue 
74,  and  Nymphe  frigate,  and  the  third  a  merchant  brig.  After 
getting  clear  of  George's  Bank  the  wind  veered  to  the  north-east- 
ward, and  we  continued  along  east-soUtherly,  in  the  direction  of 
the  southern  edge  of  the  gulf  stream  until  tlie  8th  of  May,  in 
longitude  60  west,  latitude  39  30  north,  when  I  parted  company 
^tn  the  Coneress.  After  parting  company  I  shaped  a  course  as 
near  as  the  wind  would  permit,  lo  intercept  the  enemy's  Vfest 
India  commerce  passing  to  the  southward  of  tiie  Grand  Bank. 
Not  meeting  with  any  thing  in  this  direction  except  American  ves<i 
ads  from  Lisbon  and  Cadiz,  I  next  pursued  a  route  to  the  north- 
ward on  a  parallel  wifk  the  eastern  edge  of  the  Grand  Bank,  srt' 
as  to  cross  the  tracks  ofhis  West  India,  Halifax,  Quebec,  and  St^ 
John's  trade.  In  this  route,  experiencing  constant  thick  fogs  for 
a  number  of  days,  and  not  meeting  any  thine,  after  reaching  the 
latitude  of  48  north,  I  steered  to  the  south-east  towards  the  Azores 
ofT  which,  in  different  directions,  I  continued  until  the  6th  of 
June,  without  meeting  a  single  enemy's  vessel,  or  any  others. 
«xcept  two  Americana.  At  this  time  falling  in  with  an  American 
ship  bound  to  Cadiz,  and  receiving  information  that  she  had,  four 
days  before,  passed  an  enemy's  convoy  from  the  West  Indies 
bound  to  England,  I  crowded  sail  to  the  north-east,  and,  althouij;h 
disappointed  in  falling  in  with  the  convoy,  I  nevertiieless  made 
four  captures,  between  the  9th  t^nd  13th  of  JUne. 

Being  now  in  the  latitude  of  46  north,  and  longitude  28  west,  I 
determined  on  going  into  tiie  North  Sea,  and  accordingly  shaped 
a  Course  that  afn^rded  a  prospect  of  falling  in  with  vessels  bound 
te  Newfeuadland  f^en)  $t«  Gcjrge's  channel,  by  the  way  of  Cnpe 


II 


m. 


W: 


'  HI 

{it 


Hi 


't« 


'  i  ■ 

'  II '  ■ 

i 


1: 


Clear,  at  well  aa  others  that  might  paaa  north  about  to  the  north- 
ward of  Ireland.  To  m^  astonishment,  howerer,  in  all  thia  route 
I  did  not  meet  with  a  single  vessel,  until  I  made  the  Shetland 
Isfanda,  and  even  off  there,  nothing  but  Danish  vessels  trading  to 
England  under  British  licenses.  At  the  time  I  reached  the  Shet- 
land Islands,  a  considerable  portion  of  my  provisions  and  water 
being  expended,  it  became  necessary  to  replenish  thfese,  previous 
to  determining  what  course  to  pursue  next ;  and  I  accordingly, 
for  this  purpose,  put  into  North  Bergen  on  the  2rth  of  June ;  but, 
much  to  my  surprise  and  disappointment,  was  not  able  to  obtun 
any  thing  but  water,  there  being  an  unusual  licarcity  of  bread  in 
every  part  of  Norway,  a|id,  at  the  time,  not  more  in  Bergen  than 
a  bare  sufficiency  for  its  inhabitants  for  four  or  five  weeks.  This 
being  the  case,  after  replenishing* my  water,  I  departed  on  the  2d 
of  July  and  stretched  over  towaras  the  Orkney  Islands,  and  from 
thence  towards  North  Cape,  for  the  purpose  of  inteixepting  a 
convoy  of  25  or  30  sail,  which  it  was  said  would  leave  Archangel 
about  the  middle  of  July,  under  the  protection  of  two  hri^  or  two 
sloops  of  war;  and  which  was  further  confirmed  by  two  vessels  I 
captured  on  ^e  13th  and  18th  of  the  same  month.  In  this  obiecta 
however,  the  inemy  had  the  good  fortune  to  disappoint  me,  ny  a 
line  of  battle  ship  and  a  frigate  making  their  appearance  off  the 
North  Cape  on  tfie  19th  of  July,  just  as  I  was  in  momentary 
expectation  of  meeting  the  convoy.  On  first  discoverin||  tile 
enemy^s  two  shipi  of  war,  not  being  able,  owing  to  the  haziness 
of  the  weather,  to  ascertain  their  characte '  <vith  precision,  I  stood 
toward  them,  uifCil  making  out  what  they  were,  I  hauted  by  th%<| 
wind  on  the  opposite  tack  to  avoid  them;  bat  owing  to  faiht?^ 
variable  winds,  calms,  and  entire  da;-lig^t,  (the  sun  in  that  lati  • 
tude,  at  that  season,  appearing  at  midni^t  several  dc^^es  abpye' 
the  horizon^  they  were  enablM  to  continae  the  chaii^  upif^urds  of 
80  hours ;  during  which  time,  owing  to  different  changes  of  the 
wind  in  their  fisvour,  the^  were  brought  «j^te  as  near  to  us  ai|  ^ 
was  desirable.  At  the  time  of  meetins  with  the  enemy'ii  tw4 
ships,  the  privateer  schooner  Scourge,  o?  New  York,  which  I  had 
fallen  in  with  the  day  before,  was  in  company ;  bat  ^eir  attention 
was  so  much  engrossed  by  the  President  that  ^ey  ^rmitted  the 
Scourge  to  escape  without  apjpearing  to  take  any  notice  of  her. 

Bein^  thus  disappointed  m  meeting  the  convoy,  and  a  still 
furtlier  portion  of  my  provisions  being  expended,  I  determined  to 
proceed  to  a  more  westerly  station,  and  accordingly  steered  to  \ 
gain  the  direction  of  the  trade  passine  out  of,  and  into,  the  Irish' 
channel.    In  this  position,  between  uie  25th  of  Juty  and  the  SbA. 
of  August,  I  made  three  captures,  when,  findihg  that  the  enemy 
had  a  superior  force  in  that  vicinity,  I  found  it  expedient  to 
change  my  ground ;  and  after  taking  A  cirtuit  round  Ireland,  and 
vetting  into  the  latitude  of  Cape  C^ar,  steered  fur  the  bUiks  of 
Newfoundland,  neai*  to  vrhich  I  made  two  Indre  csf^res,  and  by^ 
the  latter  one  found  that  the  Belleruphon  74,  tnd  Hyperion  frigate^ 


993 


still 
id  to 
dto' 
riah 

Sd 
eray 

to 
and 


t 


were  o^i.the  eastern  part  of  tbe  bank,  and  onljr  a  few  mile*  to  the 
westwmi  of  me ;  I  however  did  not  fall  in  witli  them.  From  the 
eastern  edge  of  Uip  Grand  Bank,  to  which  I  had  beat  all  the  way 
from  the  north-west  coast  of  Ireland,  (the  wind  having  prevailed, 
without  intermission,  from  the  1st  or  August  to  the  middle  of 
September  from  west  to  southwest)  I  steered  for  the  United 
States,  without  seeing  a  single  vessel  of  any  kind  until  the  22d  of 
the  present  month,  beiiijc  near  the  south  shoal  of  Nantucket,  I  met 
with  a  Swedish  brig  and  an  American  cartel  (the  Russian  ship 
Hoffhung]  from  London,  bound  to  New-Medford. 

By  this  time  my  provisions,^  and  particularly  bread,  was  so 
nearly  consumed  as  to  make  it  indispensibly  necessary  that  I 
should  put  into  the  first  convenient  port  after  gaining  the  requi- 
site information  of  the  disposition  of  the  enemy's  cruizera,  as 
could  enable  me  to  steer  clear  of  a  superior  force ;  and  this  I  was 
enabled  to  do  in  a  manner  which  I  shall  communicHte  in  another 
letter.  On  the  23d  instant  I  captured  his  Britannic  migesty's 
schooner  Hirii  Fljer,  (a  tender  to  admiral  Warren)  with  which 
vessel  I  now luve  to  inform  you  of  my  arrival  at  this  port. 

Annexed  is  a  list  of  vessels  captured  and  destroyed,  in  which 
were  made  271  firisooers.  I  have  low,  however,  onfy  55  prison- 
ers on  board,  having  sent  to  England,  on  parole,  78  in  the  Duke  of 
Montrose ;  76  in  the  Greenland  ship,  Eliza  Swan,  and  60  in  tlie 
barque  lion,  of  Laverpool. 

During  my  cruize,  although  I  have  not  had  it  in  my  power  to 
add  any  adciitioual  lustre  to  the  character  of  our  little  navy,  I 
nave,  neverfnetess,  rendered  essential  service  to  my  counti:y,  J 
wjkope,  by  karrassing  the  enemy's  coipmerce,  and  employing  to  his 
disadvantage,  more  than  a  dozen  tiiuest  the  force  of  a  single  fri- 
gate. 

My  officers  and  civw  have  experienced  great  privations  since  I 
left  the  United  States,  from  being  nearly  5  months  at  sea,  and 
living  the  last  three  mmiths  of  that  time  upon  a  scanty  allowancn 
of  the  roufljiest  fare ;  and  it  is  witli  peculiar  pleasure  I  acquaint 
you  that  they  arc  all  in  better  health  than  might  be  expected, 
although  you  may  well  suppose  that  their  scanty  allowance  has 
not  been  of  any  advantage  to  their  strength  or  appearance. 

The  High  Flyer  was  commanded  by  lieutenant  Hutchinson, 
second  of  the  St.  Domingo.  She  is  a  remarkable  fine  vessel  of  her 
class,  sails  very  fast,  and  would  make  an  excellent  light  cruixei*. 
provided  the  government  have  occasion  for  a  vessel  of  her  descrip- 
tion. 

Just  at  the  moment  of  closiiifl;  my  letter,  a  newspaper  has  been 
handed  me  containing  captiun  Brake's  challenge  to  my  late  gallant 
friend  captain  Lawrence,  in  which  he  mentions,  with  considerably 
emphtuist  the  pains  he  had  taken  to  meet  the.  President  and  Con- 
gress with  the  Shannon  and  Tenedos. 

It  is  unnecessary  at  present  to  take  further  notice  of  captain 
Bro|M'|^o||j|ryatifUis  thwto  say,  if  that  was  his  disposition,  his 

""IP*    - 


^ 


i^.i^'H^iC^a 


I'i 


'.  ) 


n 


M^ 


if' ■'■ ' 


««taduct  wM  M  glaringlToppotite  m  to  awtiiortM  a  i«i7*  contrary 
belief.  Helative  to  captain  Broke  I  have  only  further  to  tay,  that 
I  hope  he  hat  not  been  so  severdy  wounded  as  to  make  it  a  »u§i' 
eieitt  reamm  to  prevent  his  re-assuming  the  command  of  tiie  Shan- 
non at  a  future  day. 

I  have  the  honour  io  be*  Ik. 

JOHN  RODOBRS, 
non.  Wm.  Jonei,  Secretaiy  of  the  Navy, 


MAJOR  GENERAL  HARRISON'S  PROCLAMATION. 

The  enemy  having  been  driven  from  the  territory  of  Michigan, 
and  a  part  or  the  army  under  my  command  having  taken  posses 
sion  or  it;  it  becomes  necessary  that  the  civil  government  of  the 
territory  should  be  re-estahlished,  and  the  former  officers  renew 
the  exercise  of  their  authority.  I  have  therefore  thought  pn^r 
to  proclaim,  that  all  appointments  and,  commissions  whicn  hav9 
been  derived  from  Britisn  officers  are  at  an  end ;  that  the  ciUzens 
of  the  territory  are  restored  to  all  the  rights  and  privileges  whidi 
they  enjoyed  previously  to  the  capitulation  made  by  seneral  Hull, 
on  the  16th  of  August,  181^  Under  the  present  circumstance^ 
and  until  the  will  of  the  government  be  known.  I  have  thong^ 
prope**  to  direct  that  all  j^rsons,  having  civil  offices  in  the  territory 
of  Michii^an,  at -the  penod  of  the  capitulation  of  Detroit,  resvmo 
tiie  exercise  of  their  powers  appertaining  to  thoir  offices  respec> 
lively.  In  the  present  dwpersed  state  of  its  population,  manm 
officers  an  doubtless  absent.  In  all  cases,  thus  situated,  the  lajr 
incumbent  who  resi||;ned  the  office  will  resume  the  exercise  of  its 
duties.  The  laws  in  force  at  the  period  abovementiomHl  wil^  be 
re-established,  and  continue  in  force  until  repeided  by  the  propei: 
authority. 

.Given  at  head  quarters,  the  29th  day  of  ^tember,  18U. 
V  WILLIAM  H.  HARRISON. 

By  the  general, 

,  ,s  i^     JoHM  0'FAia.oN,  Jiid'4e-Campn 


#n  the  day  of  the  debarkation  of  our  troop6  into  Canada,  the  f  oh 
lowing  general  order  teas  issued, 

HEAD  QUART£B8,  ON  BOABD  THE  ARIEL, 
;    jj  September  39th,  1813. 

GENERAL  ORDER. 


The  General  entreats  his  bqive  troops  to  remember  that  they 
are  the  sons  of  sires  whose  fam^  is  immoi'tal :  that  they  are  to 
fight  for  &e  riffhts  of  tjbeir  lAsulted  countnr,  whilst  their  oppo«' 
nents  combat  tor  the  unjuit  pretensions  or  a  Aaster. 


.0) 


SfA 


Kentuckiiin»'-4«member  the  river  Raisin,  but  remember  it  only 
turhilat  tlie  victory  ii  sunpended.    The  revenge  of  a  auldicr  cannot 
be  gratified  upon  a  fallen  enemy. 
By  command, 

ROBERT  BUTTLRR,  J.  Mj,  Gen, 

Bxtraet  of  a  tetter  from  general  Itartiaon  to  the  liepariment  of 

fVar, 


"SIR, 


IIRAD-QUARTERS,  SANDWICH,  U.  C.  30th  September,  1813< 


"  General  Proctor  has  with  him  475  regulars  of  the  41st  and 
Newfoundland  regiments  ;  60  of  the  tOth  regiment  of  veterans; 
45  drnvotms ;  umi  from  6(K)  to   1000  Indians.    Some  deserteri 
who  left  him  the  night  before  last,  give  tlie  latter  as  the  number. 
The  citizens  of  Detroit  suppose  the  former  to  be  correct* 

"The  Ottawas  and  Chippewas  have  withdrawn  from  the  British^ 
and  have  sent  in  three  of  their  warriors  to  beg  for  peace,  promis- 
ing to  agree  to  any  terms  that  I  shall  prescnbe.  I  have  agreed 
to  receive  them  upon  condition  of  their  ^ving  hostages  for  their 
fidelity,  and  immediately  joining  us  with  all  their  warriors.  The 
Wyandots,  Mianties,  and  the  band  of  Delawares,  which  iafi  joined 
the  enemy,  are  also  desirous  to  be  received  upon  the  same 
terms. 

The  celebrated  chief,  Main  Pock,  is  at  the  head  of  the  hostile 
J^nd  on  the  Detroit  side  of  the  straight.  Tecumseh  heads  that 
which  remains  with  the  British.  The  inhabitants  of  Detroit,  who 
were  in  daily  communication  with  them,  make  the  former  fiom 
1000  to  1200.  Their  object  in  dividing  their  force  was  to  make  a 
night  attack  u])on  the  part  of  the  army  which  remained  on  thi« 
side,  by  a  junction  of  dteir  force  some   miles  above. 

"  A  detachment  of  tne  army,  and  some  of  the  vessels  of  war« 
will  set  out  for  the  reduction  of  Mackinac  and  St.  Joseph's  in  « 
few  days. 

*'  I  have  honor  to  be,  &c< 

»  WILLIAM  H.  HARRISON.;' 

nonounble  John  Armstrong, 

Secretary  <rf^  War. 


t.  f 


1813. 


V.  S.  SHIP  GENERAL  PIKE,  OFP  NLAGARAi 

October  1st,  1813. 

SIR, 

On  the  26ih  ultimo  it  was  rejpolled  to  me,  that  the  enemy^s, 

fleet  was  in  York.    I  immediately  despatched  the  Lady  of  the 

Lake  to  look  into  York,  and  ascertain  the  fact-^she  returned  in 

the  evening  with  the  information  that  tbjfi  en^/  wa«.iB  York  bay. 


m  ■ 


r,  •    . 


111 


■V 

'h' 


I  immediately  prepared  to  weigh,  but  owing  to  a  strong  wind  x>.  ^.m 
north  north-east,  was  not  able  to  get  out  of  the  river  before  the 
evening  of  the  27th,  and,  owing  to  the  extreme  darkness  of  the 
night,  a  part  of  the  squadron  got  separated,  and  did  not  join  be- 
fore next  morning  at  8  o'clock.     On  the  28th,  the  General  Pike, 
Madison  and  Sylph,  each  took  a  schooner  in  tow,  and  made  all 
sail  for  York.    Soon  after,  discovered  the  enemy's  fleet  under 
weigh  in  York  baj — shaped  our  course  for  him,  and  prepared  for 
action  ;  he  perceiving  our  intention  of  engaging  him  in  hici  posi- 
tion, tacked  and  stood  out  of  the  bay,  wind  at  east.     I  formed  the 
line  an  run  down  for  his  centre.    When  we  had  approached  with- 
in about  three  miles,  he  made  all  sail  to  the  southward.   I  wore 
in  succession  and  stood  on  the  same  tack  with  him,  edging  down 
gradually  in  order  to  close.  At  10  minutes  past  meridian,  the  ene- 
my finding  that  we  were  closing  fast  with  iiim,  and  that  he  must 
either  risk  an  action  or  suffer  his  two  rear  vessels  to  be  cut  off", 
he  tacked  in  succession,  beginning  at  the  van,  hoisted  his  colors, 
and  commenced  a  well  directed  fire  at  this  ship,  for  the  purpose 
of  covering  his  rear,  and  attacking  our  rear  as  he  passed  to  lee- 
ward :  perceiving  his  intention,  I  was  determined  to  disappoint 
him  ;  therefore  as  soon  as  the  Wolf  (the  leading  ship)  passed  the 
centre  of  his  line  and  abeam  of  us,  I  bore  up  in  succession  (pre- 
serving our  line)  for  the  enemy's  centre ;  tliis  manouvre  not  only 
covered  our  rear,  but  hove  him  in  confusion.   He  immediately  bore 
away  :  we  had,'  however,  closed  so  near  as  to  bring  our  guns  to 
bear  with  effect,  and  in  20  minutes  the  main  and  mizen -top-masts, 
and  main  yard  of  the  Wolf,  were  shot  away;  he  immediately  pu| 
before  the  wind,  and  set  all  sail  upon  his  fore-mast.    I  made  the 
signal  for  the  fleet  to  make  all  sail ;  the  enemy,  hoUrever,  keeping 
dead  before  the  wind,  was  enabled  to  outsail  most  of  our  squa- 
dron.    As  it  brought  all  the  sail  upon  one  mast,  he  did  not  feel 
the  loss  of  his  main  and  mizen-top-mast.     I  continued  the  chase 
until  near  S  o'clock,  during  which  time  I  was  enabled  in  this  ship 
(with  the  Asp  in  tow)  to  keep  within  point  blank  shot  of  the  enemy, 
and   sustained   the  whole  of  his  fire  during  he  chase.    Captain 
Crane,  in  the  Madison,  and  lieutenant  Brown,  in  the  Oneida,  used 
every  exertion  to  close  with  the  enemy ;  but  the  Madison  having 
a  heavy  schooner  in  tow,  and  the  Oneida  sailing  very  dull  before 
the  wind  prevented  those  officers  from  closing  near  enough  to  do 
any  execution  with  their  carronades.    The  (Jovernor  Tompkins 
kept  in  her  station,  until  her  fore-mast  was  so  badly  wounded  as 
tc  oblige  her  to  shorten  sail :  lieutenant  Finch,  of  the  Madison, 
who  commanded  her  for  this  cruize  (owing  to  the  indisposition  of 
lieutenant  Pettigrew)  behaved  with  great  gallantry,  and  is  an 
officer  of  much  promise.    Captain  Woolsey,  in  the  Sylph,  was 
kept  astern  by  the  Ontairo,  which  he  had  in  tow,  but  did  consi- 
derable execution  with  his  heavy  guns. 

At  fifteen  minutes  before  3  P.  M.  I  very  reluctantly  relinquished 
the  pursuit  of  a  beaten  enemy.  The  reasons  that  lea  to  this  deter- 


«a7 


minai'um  wei'e  such  as  I.  flatter  myself  you  will  approve— fhe)r 
were  these :  at  the  time  I  gave  up  the  chase,  this  ship  was  making 
80  much  water,  that  it  required  all  our  pumps  to  keep  her  free, 
(owing  to  our  receiving  several  shot  so  much  below  the  water's 
edge,  that  we  could  not  plug  the  holes  from  the  outside)  the 
Governor  Tompkins  with  her  fore-mast  gone,  and  the  squadron 
within  about  six  miles  of  the  head  of  the  lake,  blowing  a  gale  of 
wind  from  east  and  increasing  with  a  heavy  sea  on,  and  every 
appeaiance  of  the  equinox.  I  considered  that  if  I  chased  the 
enemy  to  his  anchorage  at  the  head  of  the  lake,  I  should  be 
obliged  to  anchor  also,  and  although  we  might  succeed  in  driving 
him  on  shore,  the  probability  was  that  we  should  go  on  shore  also ; 
he  amongst  his  friends,  we  amongst  our  enemies,  and  after  the  gale 
had  abated,  if  he  could  succeed  in  getting  off  one  or  two  vessels 
out  of  the  two  fle^'ts,  it  would  give  him  as  completely  the  command 
of  the  lake  as  if  he  had  20  vessels.  Moreover,  he  was  coVered  at 
his  anchorage  by  a  part  of  his  army,  and  several  small  batteries 
thrown  up  for  the  purpose.  Therefore,  if  he  could  have  rode  out 
the  gale,  we  should  have  been  cut  up  by  their  shot  from  the  shore : 
under  all  these  circumstances,  and  taking  into  view  the  conse- 
auences  resulting  from  the  loss  of  our  superiority  on  the  lakes  at 
this  time,  I  without  hesitation  relinquished  the  opportunity  then 
presenting  itself  of  acquiring  individual  reputation  attl.o  expense 
of  my  country. 

The  loss  sustained  by  this  ship  was  considerable,  owing  to  her 
being  so  long  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  fleet ;  but  our  most 
.serious  loss  was  occasioned  by  the  bursting  of  one  of  our  guns* 
which  killed  and  wounded  22  men,  and  tore  up  the  top -gallant 
forecastle,  which  rendered  the  gun  upon  that  deck  useless.    We 
had  four  other  guns  cracked  in  tne  muzzle,  which  rendered  their 
use  extremely  doubtful.    Our  main  top-gallant-mast  was  shot 
away  in  the  early  part  of  the  action,  and  the  bowsprit,  fore  and 
main-mast,  wounded,  rigging  and  sails  much  cut  up,  and  a  num- 
ber of  shot  in  our  hull,  several  of  which  were  between  wind  and 
water,  and  27  men  killed  and  wounded,  including  those  by  the 
bursting  of  the  gun.    The  Madison  received  a  few  shot,  but  no 
person  hurt  on  board.    The  Governor  Tompkins  lost  her  fore-mast 
and  the  Oneida  her  main-top-mast  badly  wounded.    We  have, 
however,  repaired  nearly  all  our  damages,  and  are  ready  to  meet 
the  enemy.    During  our  chase,  one,  if  not  two,  of  the  enemy's 
small  vessels,  was  completely  in  our  power,  if  I  could  have  been 
satisfied  with  so  partial  a  victory :  but  I  was  so  sure  of  the  whole 
that  I  passed  them  unnoticed,  by  which  means  they  finally  es- 
caped. 

The  gale  continued  until  last  night,  but  the  wind  still  blows 
from  the  eastward.  1  thought  it  important  to  communicate  with 
general  Wilkinson,  to  ascertain  when  he  meant  to  move  with  the 
army.  I  therefore  ran  oflfthis  place  for  that  pui-pose ;  and  he  thinks 
that  the  public  service  will  be  promoted  by  my  watching  sir  Junes 


at  the  head  of  thelake,  and  if  possible  preventing  his  return  to 
Kingston,  while  he  proceeds  with  the  army  forSackett's  Harbor. 
I  shall j  therefore,  proceed  immediately  in  quest  of  the  enemy. 

I  have  great  pleasure  in  acknowledging  the  assistance  I  received 
from  captain  Sinclair  during  our  chase,  in  using  his  best  exertions 
to  bring  this  ship  into  close  action.  The  other  officers  and  men 
behaved  to  my  perfect  satisfaction,  and  were  extremely  anxious 
to  close  with  the  enemy,  even  singly,  and  if  he  ever  gives  us  an 
opportunity  for  close  action,  they  will  show  that  they  are  not  in- 
ferior to  any  of  their  countrymen. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
ISAAC  CHAUNCEY, 
Hon.  W.  Jones,  Secretary  of  tlie  Navy, 


•1^ 


TO  THE  PATRIOTS  OF  THE  WESTERN  DISTRICT. 

The  period  being  at  hand  which  is  to  decide  the  fate  of  the 
province  of  Upper  Canada,  and  the  command  of  the  Niagara 
nontier  having  devolved  on  me ;  I  think  proper  to  invite  the  old 
and  young  patriots  of  the  western  district,  to  join  my  biigade  in 
defence  of  their  country  and  rights— any  number  not  exceed- 
ing 1000  will  be  accepted  and  organized  iihmediately  on  their 
arrival  at  Lewistown,  and  officered  by  the  choice  of  uieir  men. 

As  the  movements  of  an  army  require  secrecy,  objects  in  view 
cannot  be  particularly  developed  ;  but  those  who  feel  disposed 
to  distinguish  themselves  am!  render  serviced  to  their  country, 
may  be  assured  that  something  efficient  and  decisive  will  be  done. 
The  term  of  service  will  be  £  months,  if  not  sooner  discharged ; 
and  every  thing  shall  be  done  to  render  their  situations  as  com- 
fortable as  possivjle.  1  wish  none  to  volunteer  who  may  have  any 
constitutional  objections  to  cross  the  Niagara  river.  One  thou- 
sand four  hundred  of  my  brigade  haye  already  volunteered  to 
cross  the  river,  and  go  wherever  they  may  be  required  ;  and  600 
of  them  are  now  doing  duty  at  Fort  George.  I  flatter  myself  that 
no  other  consideration  need  he  urged,  than  love  of  country,  to 
excite  the  patriotism  of  the  yeomanry  of  the  western  district. 

Given  at  head  quarters,  Lewistown,  October  2d,  1813, 
GEORGE  M'CLURE,  Brig.  General 

Commanding  ^"iagara  frontier. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  colonel  Smithy  of  the  rifle  regiment^  to 
colonel  ^,  V,  J^Ticholl,  inspector  gene,  d,  dated 

"LOWBK  SANDUSKY,  October  2d,  1813. 

"  I  have  already  collected  520  men  of  my  regiment.    The  last 
accounts  from  the  general,  state,  that  he  was  in  pursttit  of  Proctor, 


229 

who  had  evacuated  Maiden,  a  few  hourp  before  he  landed.  I  fear 
he  will  make  his  escape.  I  leave  here  immediately  for  Portage, 
and  probably  for  head  quarters,  to  procure  transports  for  my 
detachment." 


SIR, 


WAR  DEPAKTMF.NT,  October  4tli,  1813. 


Understanding  that  the  defence  of  the  post  committed  to  your 
charge,  may  render  it  proper  to  destroy  the  town  of  Newark,  you 
are  hereby  directed  to  apprize  its  inhabitants  of  this  circiim- 
stance,  and  to  invite  them  to  remove  themselves  and  their  cifects 
to  some  place  of  greater  safety. 

I  am,  &c. 
JOHN  ARMSTRONG. 
Brig.  General  M'Clure  or  officer  commanding 

at  Fort  George,  Upper  Canada. 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  NEAR  MORAVIAN  TOWX, 
on  the  Itiver  Thames,  80  miles  from  Detroit,  October  5th,  1813. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  by  the  blessing  of  Pro- 
vidence, the  army  under  mv  command  has  obtained  a  complete 
victory  over  the  combined  Tndian  and  British  forces  under  the 
command  of  general  Proctor.  I  believe  that  nearly  the  whole  of 
the  enemy's  regulars  are  taken  or  killed.  Amongst  the  former  are 
all  the  superior  officers  excepting  general  Proctor.  My  mounted 
men  are  now  in  pursuit  of  him.  Our  loss  is  very  trilling.  The 
brave  colonel  R.  M.  Johnson  is  the  only  officer  whom  1  have 
heard  of  that  is  wounded,  he  badly,  but  I  hope  not  dangerously, 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
WILLIAM  H.  HARRISON. 
Hon.  J.  Armstrong,  Secretary  at  War. 


NEWPORT,  October  5th,  1813. 

SIR, 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  of  the  capture  of  tlie  Bntish 
armed  sloop  "  Dart,"  by  the  nivenue-cutter  of  this  place,  last 
evening.  She  appeared  off  the  harbor  before  sun-set ;  the  captain 
of  the  cutter  offered  his  services  to  go  out.  I  put  on  board  three 
sailing  masters  and  about  20  men ;  she  immediately  nmde  sail  and 
laid  t^oard  the  Dart,  and  carried  her  by  boarding  :  her  first  offi- 
cer was  killed ;  two  of  our  own  men  were  wounded  slightly. 
The  prisoners  I  send  for  your  disposal. 

Very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

JOHN  NICHOLSON. 
Cbm.  John  Hodgcrs,  U.  8.  fngate  President. 


f  9e 

B^tract  of  a  letter  from  general  M^ Arthur  to  the  Secretary  of  War, 

«  DETROIT,  October  6th,  1813. 

**  You  have  no  doubt  been  advised  by  the  commanding  general, 
that  Maiden  and  this  place  were  abandoned  by  the  enemy  previa 
ous  to  the  arrival  of  our  army,  and  that  all  the  public  buildings, 
&c.  were  destroyed.  On  our  arrival  at  Sandwich,  my  brigade 
v/as  ordered  across  the  river  to  disperse  some  Indians,  who  were 
pillaging  the  town,  and  to  take  possession  of  the  place.  Infurma* 
tion  was  received  that  several  thousand  Indians  had  retired  a  small 
distance  into  the  woods,  with  instructions  to  attack  general  Har> 
rison's  army  on  its  passage,  for  the  purpose  of  retarding  its  pro- 
gress ;  consequently  my  brigade  was  left  to  garrison  this  place. 

"  Since  general  Harrison's  departure,  five  nations  of  Indians, 
vix.  the  Ottaways,  Chippeways,  Pottawatamies,  Miamies  and 
Kickapims,  who  were  but  a  few  miles  back,  have  come  in  for 
peace,  and  I  have  agreed  that  hostilities  should  cease  for  the  pre-< 
sent  on  the  following  conditions :  **  They  have  agreed  to  take  hold 
of  the  same  tomahawk  with  us,  and  to  strike  alfwho  are,  or  may 
be,  enemies  to  the  United  States,  whether  British  or  Indians.'* 
They  arc  to  bring  in  a  number  of  their  women  and  children,  and 
leave  them  as  hostages,  whilst  they  accompany  us  to  war.  Some 
of  them  have  already  brought  in  their  women,,  and  are  drawing^ 
rations. 

'*  I  have  just  received  a  note  from  general  Harrison,  advising 
that  he  had  last  evening  overtaken  general  Proctor's  force,  and 
had  gained  a  complete  victory ;  that  all  the  principal  officers, 
general  Proctor  excepted,  were  in  his  possession,  which  no  doubt 
ends  the  war  in  this  quarter, 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
"  DUNCAN  M'ARTHUH^  Brig,  G«n,  l\8.  «rmy." 


i^i 


JiMtract  of  a  letter  from  brigadier  general  M^Clure^  to  his  excel- 
lency governor  Tompkins,  dated 

•<  FOUT  (;£ORGE,  HALF  PAST  5  O'CLOCK,  P.  M. 

October  6th,  1813. 

"  We  have  commenced  offensive  operations  against  the  enemy. 
About  500  militia  volunteers,  and  about  150  InJianB,  commanded 
by  colonel  Chapin,  attacked  the  picket  guard  of  the  enemy,  about 
$.  mile  and  a  half  from  Fort  George,  and  drove  them  in  upon  the 
^.mn  body,  when  the  enemy  opened  a  fire  from  several  field 
pieces.  Our  men  retired  ih  goocl  order  into  the  fort,  with  the  loss 
of  one  man  killed  and  two  or  three  wounded.  The  enemy's  loss 
was  seven  killed,  many  wounded,  and  four  prisoners. 

"  In  a  short  time  tlie  enemy  a|)peared  in  considerable  force 
within  five  hundred  yards  of  the  fort,  at  the  edge  of  the  woods. 
Chapin  again  sallied'  out  with  about  (}00  men  and  some  Indians* 


-jkSl 


d3t 

commenced  a  brisk  fire  on  the  whole  of  the  enemy's  line,  and 
drove  them  half  a  mile  ;  but  perceiving  by  the  movements  of  the 
enemy  that  they  would  outflank  us,  I  ordered  200  to  reinforce 
him,  and  in  two  detachments  to  attack  the  enemy's  flanks.  We 
succeeded  in  driving  the  enemy  into  the  woods,  when  ni^ht  comin<; 
on  put  an  end  to  the  conflict.  Our  loss  was  trifling ;  I  have  not 
ascertained  that  of  the  enemy.  Colonel  Chapin  is  a  brave  man. 
Every  officer  and  soldier  did  his  duty." 


U.  S.  SHIP  GENERAL  PIKR,  SACKETT'S  HARnOR, 

October  6th,  1813. 
SIR. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  I  arrived  here  thi*! 
morning,  with  five  of  the  enemy's  vessels,  which  I  fell  in  with, 
and  captured,  last  evening,  oft  the  Ducks.  These  were  part  of 
seven  sail  which  left  York  on  Sunday  with  234  troops  on  board, 
bound  to  Kingston.  Of  this  fleet  five  were  capturea,  one  burnt, 
and  one  escaped.  The  prisoners,  amounting  to  nearly  300,  be- 
sides having  upwards  of  300  of  our  troops  on  isoard  from  Niagara, 
induced  me  to  run  into  port  for  the  purpose  of  landing  both. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 
Hon.  Wm.  Jones,  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


l'   ■                           .' 

» 


VNITED  STATES*  SHTP  GENERAL  PIKE, 

Sackett's  Harbor,  October  6tli,  181*3. 

SIR, 

As  soon  as  the  last  of  the  flotilla  with  the  troops,  cleared 
the  Niagara,  I  proceeded  in  quest  of  the  enemy.  On  the  2d  in* 
stant,  at  10  A.  M.  discovered  him  steering  a  course  'or  Niagara, 
with  studding  sails,  and  all  sails  set,  wind  from  tlie  south  and 
westward ;  we  made  sail  in  chase,  but  as  soon  as  we  shot  out,  he 
took  in  studding  sails,  and  hauled  upon  a  wind  to  the  westward, 
and  made  all  sail  from  us ;  the  wind  being  light  all  day,  we  made 
but  little  progress  against  the  current*  and  at  sun  down,  the  ene- 
my was  on  the  Twenty  Mile  Creek,  and  had  evidently  gained 
considerably  from  us*  During  the  night,  the  wind  continued  so 
light  that  we  altered  our  position  but  very  little,  and  at  day-light, 
on  the  Sd,  saw  the  enemy  at  anchor  close  in  witli  the  land,  be- 
tween the  Twelve  and  Twenty  Mile  Creek ;  as  soon  as  he  saw 
us,  he  weighed  and  made  a!l  sail  to  the  west;vard,  wind  from 
south  to  south-west,  and  squally.  We  made  all  sail  in  cliase,  and 
continued  the  chase  the  whole  day,  it  blowiiu;  very  heavy  in 
squalls ;  at  sun  down,  we  could  barely  mark  him  out  from  tlic 
mast-head,  when  he  appeared  nearly  up  to  the  head  of  the  lake; 
it  continued  squally  with  rain,  and  the  night  very  dark ;  at  day- 
light, on  the  4tb,  hazy,  could  see  nothing  cf  tho  enemy— contin- 


'  i 


I: 


'•I'M     ' 

mi;: 

n 

1  ''''t-^-j 

Ji 

w  ■ 


i:>i 


'?|t< 


98;» 

tied  working  up  for  the  head  of  the  lake  ;  towards  meridian,  it 
became  calm.  1  ordered  the  Lady  of  the  Lake  to  sweep  up  to 
Jiurlington  bay,  and  ascertain  whether  the  fleet  was  there;  at  naif 
past  9  P^  M.  she  returned,  with  information  that  the  fleet  was 
not  there.  Saw  but  two  gun-boats.  It  struck  me  at  once  that 
he  had  availed  himself  of  tne  darkness  of  the  preceding  night, 
and  had  either  run  fur  Kingston,  or  down  the  lake,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  intercepting  the  flotilla  with  the  army ;  I  tlierefore  made 
nil  sail  and  shaped  my  course  for  the  Ducks,  with  a  view  of  in- 
tercepting him  or  his  prizes,  if  he  should  have  made  any.  The 
uind  increased  to  a  strong  gale  from  the  northward  and  westward, 
and  continued  during  the  whole  day  on  the  5th ; — we  therefore 
made  a  great  run,  for  at  1  P.  M.  we  passed  Long  Point ;  at  3, 
discovered  seven  sail  near  the  False  Ducks;  presuming  them  to 
be  the  fleet,  made  all  sail  in  chase ;  at  4,  made  them  out  to  be 
sloops  and  schooners.  I  made  the  signal  for  the  Sylph  and  the 
Lady  of  the  Lake,  to  cast  oft*  their  tow,  and  chase  north-east; 
soon  after,  perceiving  the  enemy  separating  on  different  tacks,  I 
cast  oif  the  Governor  Tompkins  from  this  stiip,  gave  the  squadron 
in  charge  of  captain  Crane,  and  made  all  sail  in  ciiase;  at  5,  the 
enemy  finding  us  to  gain  fast  upon  them,  and  one  of  his  gun-ves- 
sels sailing  much  worsie  than  the  rest,  he  took  the  people  out  and 
set  her  on  fire.  At  su"  down,  when  opposite  the  Real  Ducks, 
the  Hamilton,  (late  Grow  -"^  Confiance  (late  Julia)  and  Mary 
Ann,  struck  to  us.  The  Sylph  soon  afte.*,  brought  down  the 
Drummond,  cutter  rigged.  I'lie  Lady  Gore  run  into  the  Ducks, 
but  the  Sylph  (which  was  left  to  watch  her)  took  possession  of 
her  early  the  next  morning.  The  Enterprize,  a  small  schooner, 
is  the  only  (me  that  escaped,  and  she  owed  her  safety  to  the  dark- 
ness of  the  night. 

Finding  much  difficulty  in  shifting  the  prisoners,  owing  to  the 
^mallness  of  our  boats  and  a  heavy  sea,  I  determined  to  take  the 
prizes  in  tow,  and  run  for  this  place,  and  land  the  prisoners  and 
troops  that  1  had  on  board.  On  the  6th,  the  Lady  of  the  Lake 
having  towed  one  of  the  prizes  in,  I  despatched  her  immediately 
to  cruize  betw  een  the  Real  and  False  Ducks.  She  returned  the 
same  afternoon,  having  discovered  the  enemy's  squadron  going 
into  Kingston. 

I  have  repaired  Ihe  principal  damages  sustained  by  this  ship  in 
the  action  on  the  i28th  ultimo,  and  have  put  in  a  new  fore-mast 
into  the  Governor  Tompkins.     We  a**:  now  ready,  and  waiting, 
the  movements  of  the  army,  which  is  contemplated  will  leave  here 
on  the  10th. 

The  vessels  captured  on  tlie  5th,  are  gun  vessels  mounting  from 
one  to  three  guns  each,  with  troops  from  the  head  of  the  lake 
(last  from  York)  bound  to  Kingston.  We  learnt  from  the  pri- 
soners, that  the  enemy  was  very  much  cut  up  in  their  hulls  and 
Kpars,  and  a  great  many  men  killed  and  wounded,  particularly  on 
board  the  Wolf  and  Royal  George.    1  enclose,  herewith,  a  listoi 


M 


MS 

Ae  prisoners  taken  dm  the  5th    [Alreadr  published,  see  *■  VIkt 
War"  of  the  19th  ultimo.] 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY.. 

>on.  Won.  Jone%  Seeretaty  of  ths  Navj. 


U.  S.  FRIGATE  PRBSIDBNT.  PAWTUXUT, 

October  7th,  IBH^. 

Enclosed  I  have  the  honor  of  transmitting  you  a  letter  thSi, 
moment  received  from  lieutenant  Nicholson,— «ommanding|  th*'. 
(un-bnats  at  Newport,  informing  me  of  the  capture  of  the  privatt, 
armed  sloop  Dart. 

With  great  respect,  &c. 
JOHN  RODGERi* 
Hon.  Wm.  Jonei^  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTEH8,  DETROIT,  October  9th,  18% 


the 

the 

and 

^ake 

ately 

the 

;oing 


'■■§^" 


In  mj  last  letter  from  Sandwich,  of  the  30th  ultimo,  I  diflt. 
myself  the  honour  to  inform  you,  tliat  I  was  preparing  to  pursut, 
the  enemy  the  following  day.  From  various  causes,  however*, 
I  was  unable  to  put  the  troops  in  motion  until  the  morning  of  the- 
f  if  instant,  and  then  to  take  with  me  only  about  140  of  the  regu- 
lar troops,  Johnson's  mounted  rej^ment,  and  such  of  Kovemor 
Shelby's  volunteers  as  were  fit  for  a  rapid  march,  the  whole 
amounting  to  about  3500  men.  To  general  M* Arthur,  with  about 
700  effectives,  the  protection  of  this  place,  and  the  sick,  was 
committed.  General  Cass's  brigade,  and  the  corps  of  lieutenant 
colonel  Ball,  were  left  at  Sandwich,  with  orders  to  follow  me  as 
soon  as  the  men  received  their  knapsacks  and  blankets,  which  haA 
been  left  on  an  island  in  lake  Erie. 

The  unavoidable  delay  at  Sandwich  was  attended  with  no  dit« 
advantage  to  us.  General  Proctor  had  posted  himself  at  Oalson'^ 
on  the  right  bank  of  the  river  Thames  (or  French),  fifty-six  miles 
from  this  place,  where  I  was  informed  he  intended  to  fortify  an4 
to  receive  mn.  He  must  have  believed,  however,  that  I  had  no  dia- 
position  to  follow  him,  or  that  he  had  secured  my  continuance  her^, 
Dy  the  reports  that  were  circulated  that  the  Indians  would  attack 
and  destroy  this  place,  upon  the  advance  of  tiie  army ;  as  he  neglect- 
ed the  breaking  up  of  the  bridges  until  the  night  of  the  2d  instant* 
On  the  night  our  army  reachea  the  river,  which  is  25  miles  from 
Sandwich,  and  is  one  of  four  streams  crossing  our  route,  over  all 
of  which  are  bridges,  and  being  deep  and  muddy,  are  unfordable 
for  a  considerable  distance  into  the  country.  The  bridge  here 
was  found  satirs,  and*  in  ths  moraing,  I  preceaded  with  Jemwiali.. 

39 


i^ 


\ii 


■\;^: 


iS4 

ffegimentf  to  save,  If  poMible,  the  others.  At  the  sceond  bridge* 
over  a  itranch  of  the  nver  Thames,  we  were  fortunate  enough  to 
ca,>ture  a  lieutenant  of  dragoons  and  eleven  privates,  who  had 
been  seat  bj  e^neral  Proctor  to  destroy  them.  From  the  prison- 
en  1  learneiT  that  the  third  bridge  was  broken  up,  and  that  the 
enemy  had  no  certain  informatiun  of  our  advance.  The  bridte* 
having  been  imperfectly  destroyed,  was  soon  repaired,  and  me 
army  encamped  at  Drake's  farm^four  miles  below  Dalson's. 

llie  river  Thames,  alone  the  banks  of  which  our  route  lay,  is  a 
fine  deep  stream,  navigable  for  vessels  of  considerable  burthen, 
after  the  paasage  of  the  bar  at  its  mouth,  over  which  there  is  w 
and  a  hall  feet  water. 

The  baggiige  of  the  army  was  brought  from  Detroit  in  boats, 
protected  by  three  gun-boats,  which  commodore  Perry  had  fur- 
nished for  the  purpose,  as  well  as  to  cover  the  passage  of  the 
armv  over  the  Thames  itself,  on  the  mouth  of  its  tributary  streamu ; 
the  banks  beiag  low  and  the  country  generally  open  (prairies), 
as  high  a»  Damon's,  tiiese  vessels  uere  well  calculated  for  the 
purpose.  Above  Dalson's,  however,  the  character  of  the  river 
and  adjacent  country,  is  considerably  chaneed.  The  former, 
though  still  deep,  is  very  narrow,  nnd  its  banks  high  and  woody. 
The  commodore  and  myself,  therefore,  agreed  upon  tiiC  propriety 
of  leaving  the  boats  under  a  guard  of  IdO  infantry,  and  I  deter- 
mined to  trust  to  fortune,  and  the  bravery  of  my  troops,  to  effect 
tiie  passage  of  the  river.  Below  a  place  called  Chatliam,  and 
four  miles  above  Dalson's,  is  the  tnird  fordable  branch  of  Uie 
Thames.  The  bridge  over  its  mouth  had  been  taken  up  by  the 
Indians,  as  well  as  at  M 'Gregorys  mills,  one  mile  above.  Several 
hundred  of  the  Indians  remained  to  dispute  our  passage,  and,  upon 
the  arrival  of  the  advanced  guard,  commencea  a  heav;^  fire  from 
the  opposite  bank  of  the  creek,  as  well  as  that  of  tlie  nver.  Be- 
lieving that  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy  was  there,  I  halted  the 
^my,  formed  in  order  of  battle,  and  brought  up  our  two  six 
pounders  to  cover  the  party  that  were  ordered  to  repair  the  brid^, 
and  cross  the  troops.  Colonel  Johnson's  mounted  r^ment,  being 
upon  the  right  of  the  army,  had  seized  the  remains  of  the  bridge 
at  the  mills,  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  Indians.  Our  loss, 
npon  this  occasion,  was  two  killed  and  three  or  four  wounded ; 
that  of  the  enemy  was  ascertuned  to  be  considerably  greater. 
A  house  near  the  bridge,  containing  a  very  considerable  number 
of  muskets,  had  been  set  on  fire,  but  it  was  extinguished  by  our 
troops,  and  the  arms  saved.  At  tlie  first  farm  above  the  bridge, 
we  found  one  of  the  enemy's  vessels  on  fire,  loaded  with  arms  and 
wdnance  stores,  and  learned  that  they  were  a  few  miles  a  head 
of  us,  still  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  with  the  great  body  of 
the  Indians.  At  Bowles's  farm,  four  miles  Irom  the  bridge,  we 
halted  for  the  night,  found  two  other  vessels,  and  a  lar^  distil- 
lery, filled  with  ordnance  an<I  otlier  valuable  stores,  to  an  immense 
amount,  in  flames.    It  was  impossible  to  put  out  the  fire;  two 


tea 


i#entj-ft»utf'  ifotindert,  with  their  carriagftB,  were  takes,  eld  A 
lart^  qiantity  uf  ball  iindt  shells  of  various  sizes.  The  army  was 
put  in  motion  ea^'ly  on  the  morning  of  the  5th.  I  pushed  on,  in 
advance,  with  the  ir     Jted  regiment,  and  requested  ^vernor 


Shelby  to  follow,  as  expeditiously  as  possible,  With  the  fnfantry^ 
The  ^vernor's  zeal,  and  that  of  his  men,  enabled  them  to  keep 
up  with  the  cavalry,  and  by  9  o'clock,  we  were  at  Arnold's  mills, 
having  taken,  in  the  course  of  die  mominff,  two  gun-boats  an4 
aeveral  batteaux,  loaded  with  provisions  and  ammunition. 

A  rapid,  at  the  river  at  Arnold's  mills,  aftbrds  the  only  fording 
to  be  met  with  for  a  very  considerable  distance;  but,  upon  exi^ 
mination,  it  was  found  too  deep  for  the  infantry.  Having,  howe" 
ver,  fortunately  taken  two  or  three  boats,  ana  some  canoes,  op 
the  spot,  and  obliging  the  horsemen  to  take  a  footman  behind  each« 
the  whole  were  safely  crossed  by  12  o'clock.  Eight  miles  from 
the  crossing,  we  passed  a  farm,  where  a  part  of  ^e  British  troops 
had  encamped  the  night  before,  under  the  command  of  colonel 
Warburton.  The  detachment  with  general  Proctor  had  arrived 
the  day  before,  at  the  Moravian  towns,  four  miles  hisher  up. 
Being  now  certainly  near  the  enemy,  I  directed  the  advance  ef 
Johnson's  regiment  to  accelerate  their  march,  for  the  purpose  of 
procuring  intelligence.  The  officer  commanding  it,  in  a  short 
time,  sent  to  inform  me,  that  his  progress  was  stopped  by  the 
enemy,  who  were  formed  across  our  line  of  march.  One  of  the 
enemy's  wagoners,  being  also  taken  prisoner,  fro.n  the  infonna> 
tion  received  from  him,  and  my  own  observation,  assisted  by  seoie 
df  my  officers,  I  soon  ascertiiined  enough  of  their  position,  aad 
order  of  battle,  to  detennine  that  which  it  was  proper  for  me  t« 
adopt. 

I  have  the  honour  herewith  to  enclose  you  my  general  order  of 
the  27th  ultimo,  prescribing  the  order  of  march  and  of  battle 
when  the  whole  army  should  act  together.  But  as  the  nuntber 
and  description  of  the  troops  had  been  essentially  changed,  since 
the  issuing  of  the  order,  it  became  necessary  to  make  a  corres- 
ponding alteration  in  their  disposition.  From  the  place  noere 
our  army  was  last  halted,  to  tne  Moravian  towns,  a  distance  ot 
about  three  and  a  ^ialf  miles,  th«  road  passes  through  a  beech 
forest  without  any  clearing,  and  f«r  the  first  two  miles  near  to  the 
bank  of  the  river.  At  from  two  ^itfiree  hundred  yards  from  the 
river  a  swamp-extends  parallel  to  iti^loughout  the  whole  distanqe. 
The  intermediate  ^und  is  dry,  att§  although  the  trees  are  tol- 
erably thick,  it  is  m  many  placea  cHar  of  underbrush.  Acrou 
this  strip  of  bind,  its  left  oopayed  upon  the  river,  supported  bjT 
artillery  placed  in  the  wood,  tlieir  ndit  in  the  swamp  covered 
by  the  whole  of  their  Indian  force,  the  Britiah  troops  w«e  drawn 
up. 

The  troops  at  my  disposal  consisted  of  a^t  one  hundred  and 
twenty  r^lars  of  the  27th  regiment,  five  iklgades  of  Kentucky 
voluAteer  militia  ii^antry  under  his  eiceUenoy  gover n«r  ibelby* 


h 


■■  s  I , 


fl$« 


iii 


'.♦I 


Jl, 


1     „  ^  1 

^   ,1   ' 


f 


i  :  ■;  ■  '• 


wwMiping  teis  than  flv«  hundred  men,  and  eolonel  JohnaonV 
tegiment  of  mounted  infantry,  making  in  the  whole  an  aggregate 
•omething  above  3000.  No  diitposition  of  an  army  opposed  t» 
an  Indian  force  can  be  safe,  unless  it  is  secured  on  the  flanks  and 
in  the  rear.  I  had  therefore  no  difHculty  in  arranginfl;  the  infan- 
try conformably  td  my  general  order  of  battle.  General  Trot- 
ter's brieade  o\  500  men  formed  the  front  line,  his  rieht  upon  the 
toad  and  his  left  upon  the  swamp.  General  King's  brinde  as  a 
lecond  line,  150  yards  in  the  rear  of  I'rotter's,  and  Chuds's  bri* 
gade,  as  a  corps  of  reserve,  in  the  rear  of  it.  These  three  bri- 
gades formed  the  command  of  major  general  Henry ;  the  whole  of 
jjeneral  Desha's  division,  consisting  of  two  brigades,  were  formed 
mipotenee  upon  the  left  of  Trotter. 

While  I  wa!«  engaged  in  forming  the  infantry,  I  had  directed^ 
•olonel  Johnson's  regiment,  which  was  still  in  front,  to  be  formed 
in  two  lines  opposite  to  the  enemy,  and,  upon  the  advance  of  the 
infantry,  to  take  ground  to  the  left,  and  forming  upon  that  flanks 
to  endeavour  to  turn  the  right  of  the  Indians.  A  moment's  re- 
flection, however,  convinced  me,  that  from  the  thickness  of  the 
'  ttroods  and  swampiness  of  the  ground,  they  would  be  unable  te 
do  uAj  thine  on  horseback,  and  there  was  no  time  to  dismount 
tiiem  and  place  their  horses  in  security ;  I  therefore  dciennined 
to  refuse  my  left  to  the  Indians,  and  to  break  the  British  lines  at 
once  by  a  charge  of  the  mounted  infantry ;  the  measure  was  not 
sanctioned  by  any  thing  that  I  had  seen  or  heard  of,  but  I  waa 
fiilly  convinced  that  it  would  succeed.  The  American  back- 
woodsmen ride  better  in  the  woods  than  any  other  people.  A 
musket  or  rifle  is  no  impediment  to  them,  being  accustomed  te 
tarry  them  on  horseback  from  their  earliest  youth.  I  was  per- 
•uaded,  too,  that  the  enemy  would  be  ({uite  unprepared  for  the 
•hock,  and  that  they  could  not  resist  it.  Contormably  to  thia 
idea,  I  directed  the  regiment  to  be  drawn  up  inclose  column,  wHh 
its  right  at  the  distance  of  fifty  yards  from  the  road,  (that  it  miriit 
be,  in  some  measure,  protected  by  the  trees  from  the  artillery)  ita 
left  upon  the  swamp,  and  to  chai^,  at  full  speed,  as  soon  as  the 
enemy  delivered  their  fire.  The  few  regular  troops  of  the  27th 
fegiment,  under  the  command  of  their  colonel  (Paul),  occupied* 
in  column  of  sections  of  four,  the  small  space  between  the  road 
and  the  river,  for  the  purpose  of  seizing  the  enemy's  artillery, 
•nd  some  ten  or  twelve  friendly  Indians  were  directed  to  move 
vnder  the  bank.  The  crotchet,  formed  by  the  front  line  and  gene- 
ral Desha's  division,  was  an  important  point.  At  that  place,  the 
venerable  governor  of  Kentucky  was  posted,  who,  at  the  age  of 
Mxty-six,  preserves  all  the  vigour  of  youth,  the  ardent  zeal  whick 
distinguished  him  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  the  undaunted 
bravery  which  he  manifested  at  King's  Mountain.  With  my 
aids<de-camp,  theactingaasistant  adjutant  general  captain  Buttler« 
«iy  gallant  friend  commodore  Perry,  vrho  did  me  the  honour  to 
'<erve  aa  my  veluntaer  aid-de-camp,  and  brigadier  general  Caai^ 


i-fe 


«w 


wIm  hatiM  ■•  «Mii«nnd,  tendered  me  his  aisistaice,  I  placed 
mjsteir  at  the  head  of  the  front  line  of  infantry,  to  direct  the 
movements  of  the  cavalry  and  give  them  the  necessary  support. 
The  army  had  moved  on  this  order  but  a  short  distance,  when 
the  mounted  men  received  the  fire  of  the  British  line,  and  were 
ordered  to  charge ;  the  horses  in  the  front  of  the  column  recoiled 
from  the  fire;  another  was  given  by  the  enemy,  and  our  culumnj 
at  length  gettine  in  motion-,  broke  through  the  enemy  with  irre- 
•istible  force.  In  one  minute,  the  contest  in  front  was  o\er. 
The  British  officers,  seeing  no  hones  of  reducing  their  disordered 
ranks  to  order,  and  our  mounteu  men  whcelin;;  upon  them  and 
pouring  in  a  destructive  fire,  immediately  surrendered.  It  is 
certain  that  three  only  of  our  troops  were  wounded  in  thiHcharce. 
Upon  the  left,  however,  the  contest  was  more  severe  with  the 
Indians.  Colonel  Johnson,  who  commanded  on  that  flank  of  his 
regiment,  received  a  most  galling  fire  from  them,  which  was 
returned  with  great  eftect.  The  Indians  still  further  to  the  ri^ht 
advanced  and  fell  in  with  our  front  line  of  infantry,  near  its 
junction  with  Desha's  division,  and,  for  a  moment,  made  an  im- 
pression on  it.  His  excellency  governor  Shelby,  however,  brought 
up  a  regiment  to  its  support,  and  the  enemy,  receiving  a  severe  nre 
in  front,  and  a  part  of  Johnson's  regiment  having  gained  their  rear, 
recreated  with  precipitation.  Their  loss  was  very  considerable 
In  Uie  action,  and  many  were  killed  in  their  retreat. 

I  can  give  no  satisfactory  information  of  the  number  of  Indians 
tiiat  were  in  the  action,  but  they  must  have  been  considerably 
upwards  of  one  thousand.  From  the  documents  in  my  possession, 
(iceneral  Proctor's  official  letters,  all  «>f  which  were  taken]  and 
ironi  the  information  of  respectable  inhabitants  of  this  terntory, 
the  Indians  kept  in  pay  by  the  British,  were  much  more  numerous 
than  has  been  generally  supposed.  In  a  letter  to  general  De  Rot- 
tenburg,  of  the  27th  instant,  general  Proctor  speaks  of  having 
prevailed  upon  most  of  the  Inmans  to  accompany  him.  Of  these 
it  is  certain  that  fifty  or  sixty  Wyandot  warriors  abandoned  him.  * 

The  number  of  our  troops  was  certainly  greater  than  that  of 
the  enemy,  but  when  it  is  recollected,  that  they  had  chosen  a  posi- 
tion that  effectually  secured  their  flank,  which  it  was  impossible 
for  us  to  turn,  and  that  we  could  not  present  to  them  a  line  more 
extended  than  their  own,  it  will  not  be  considered  arrogant  to 
«laim  for  my  troops  the  palm  of  superior  bravery. 

In  communicating  to  the  President  through  you,  sir,  my  opin- 
ion of  the  conduct  oT  the  officers  who  served  under  my  command, 
I  am  at  a  loss  how  to  mention  that  of  governor  Shelby,  being 
convincedsthat  no  eulogium  of  mine  can  reach  his  merits.    The 


*  A  Britiah  officer,  of  high  rsnk,  aaaured  one  of  my  aids^cK^mp,  that  on 
tiie  day  of  our  landing,  general  Proctor  had,  at  his  disposal,  upwards  of  three 
thouiand  Indian  wairiors, hut  aasrted (hat thegrestctt  p&rt  had  kft  him 
pretiovs  to  (he  action. 


■1 


J 


^i': 


^M 


am 

m 


r  \ 


] 


|;overiior  of  an  independent  state,  jgpreaflj  m?  luperior  in  yetrt; 
III  experience  and  in  military  character,  he  placed  hiinseir  under 
my  command,  and  waH  not  more  remarkable  for  hii  xeal  and  ac- 
tivity,  tnan  for  lii»  promptitude  and  cheerfulnesa  with  which  he 
obeyed  m^  orders.  The  major  veneraU  Henry  and  Desha,  and 
tlie  brigadiers  Allen,  Caldwell,  Kinff,  Childn  and  Trotter,  all  of 
the  Keiituckv  volunteers,  manifested  great  zeal  and  activity.    Of 

governor  Shelby's  staif,  his  adjutant  general,  colonel  Walker,  ren- 
ered  great  service,  as  did  his  aids-de*camp  general  Adair,  and 
majors  Barry  and  Crittenden.  The  military  skill  of  Uie  former 
was  of  great  service  to  us,  and  the  activity  of  the  two  latter  gen- 
tlemen could  not  be  surpassed.  Illness  deprived  me  of  the  talents 
of  my  adju^aiit  general  colonel  Gaines,  wno  was  left  at  Sandwich. 
His  duties  were,  however,  ably  performed  by  the  acting  assistant 
adjutant  general,  captain  Buttler.  My  aids-de-camp,  lieutenant 
O'Fallon  and  captain  Todd,  of  the  line,  and  my  volunteer  aids 
John  Speed  Smith  and  John  Chambers,  esquires,  have  rendered  me 
the  mo»t  important  services  from  the  opening  of  the  campaign. 
I  have  already  stated  that  general  Cass  and  commodore  Perry 
assisted  me  in  forming  the  troops  for  the  action.  The  former  is  an 
officer  of  the  highest  merit,  and  the  appearance  of  the  brave 
commodore  cheered  and  animated  every  breast. 

It  would  be  UHeless,  sir,  after  stating  the  circumstances  of  the 
action,  to  pass  encomiums  upon  colonel  Johnson  and  his  regiment. 
Veterans  could  not  have  manifested  more  firmness.  The  colo" 
nePs  numerous  wounds  prove  that  he  was  in  tlie  post  of  danger. 
Lieutenant  colonel  James  Johnson,  and  the  minors  Payne  and 
Thompson  were  equally  active  though  more  fortunate.  M^er 
Wood  of  the  engineers,  already  distinguished  by  his  conduct  at 
Fort  Meigs,  attended  the  army  with  two  six  pounders.  Having 
no  use  for  them  in  the  action,  he  joined  in  theparsuit  ^the  enemr, 
and  with  major  Payne  of  the  mounted  regiment,  two  of  my  atdfs- . 
de-camp,  Todd  and  Chambers,  and  three  privates,  continued  it  for 
several  miles  after  tlie  rest  ol  the  troops  had  halted,  and  made 
many  prisoners. 

I  left  the  army  before  an  oflUcia*  retuna  of  the  prisoners,  fir 
that  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  was  made  out.  It  was  however 
ascertained  that  the  former  amounts  to  6ui  regalars,  inclvdinc  15 
officers.  Our  Iosh  is  T  killed  aad  2£  wounded,  5  of  which  have 
since  died.  Of  the  British  trw^  IS  were  killed  and  22  wounded. 
The  Indians  suffered  most — 3d  of  them  haring  been  found  upon 
the  ground,  besides  those  killed  on  the  retreat. 

On  the  day  ot  the  action,  six  nieces  of  brass  artillerr  were 
taken,  and  two  iron  24  pounders  oie  day  before.  SeTeral  others 
were  discovered  in  the  nver,  and  can  be  easily  procured.  Of  tiie 
brass  pieces,  three  are  the  trophies  of  our  revolutJMUuy  war,  that 
were  taken  at  Saratc^  and  York,  and  surrendered  by  gene- 
ral Hull.  The  number  of  «mall  arms  taken  by  us  and  destnMnd 
by  tlie  enemy,  must  amount  to  upwards  of  5000 j  moit  flf  tnem.. 


«99 


kad  bMti  ourt  and  taken  hy  the  enemy  at  the'  lurrender  of  1 
at  the  river  Rabin,  and  at  colonel  Dudley^s  defeat.   I  belii 


Detroit, 

.  believe  that 

the  enemy  retain  no  other  military  trophy  of  tliuir  victories  thitn 
the  standfard  of  the  4th  regiment ;  they  were  aot  magnniiiinouii 
enoueh  to  bring  that  of  the  41st  regiment  into  the  field,  or  it  would 
have  lieen  taken. 

Yqu  iitt*e  been  informed,  sir,  of  the  conduct  of  the  troops  under 
my  command  in  action ;  it  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  intonn  you, 
that  they  merit  also  the  approbation  of  their  country  fur  their 
conduct,  in  submitting  to  the  greatest  privations  with  the  utmost 
•heerfulness. 

The  infantry  were  entirely  without  tents,  and  for  several  days 
the  whole  army  subsisted  upon  fresh  beef,  without  bread  or  salt. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

WILLIAM  H.  HARRISON. 
Ceneral  John  Armttrong,  Secretary  of  War. 

P.  S.  General  Proctor  escaped  by  the  fleetness  of  his  horses, 
escorted  by  40  dragoons  and  a  number  of  mounted  Indians. 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  DETROIT,  October  11th,  1813. 

DEAR  GOVERNOR, 

You  will  have  heard  before  this  reaches  you,  that  I  was  for- 
tunate  enough  to  overtake  general  Proctor,  and  his  tawny  allies, 
and  to  sive  them  a  complete  drubbing.*  I  have  601  prisoners  of 
the  British  regulars,  officers  included,  among  which  there  are  two 
colonels. 

Nothing  but  infatuation  could  have  governed  general  Proctor's 
conduct.  The  day  that  I  landed  below  Maiden,  he  had  at  his 
disposal  upward*  of  3000  Indian  warriors :  hi»t  regular  force,  re- 
inforced by  the  militia  of  the  district,  would  have  made  his  num- 
ber nearly  e^|«al  to  my  aggregate,  which,  on  the  day  of  landing, 
did  not  exceed  4500.  The  papers  have  greiatly  exajB;gerated  the 
number  of  militia  from  Kentucky :  those  which  embarked  with 
me  at  Portage,  did  not  amount  to  30(N)  rank  and  file ;  and  several 
hundred  of  them  were  left  in  the  inlands. 

The  Indians  were  extremely  desirous  ot  fighting  us  at  Maiden. 
I  enclose  you  TecumSeh's  speech  to  Proi  tor ;  it  is  at  once  an 
evidence  of  the  talents  of  the  former,  ami  the  greater  defect  of 
them  in  the  latter.  His  inferior  officers  my,  that  his  conduct  has 
been  a  series  of  continued  blunders.  He  manifested,  indeed,; 
some  judgment  in  the  choice  of  his  field  of  battle,  as  he  was  so 
posted  that  I  could  not  turn  him,  and  could  only  opflye  a  line 
of  equal  extent  to  his.  However,  the  contest  was  not  for  a  mo- 
ment doubtful.  The  greater  part  of  his  Indians  were  in  the  airt 
(according  to  the  Persian  military  phraseology)  and  his  regulars 
^roktB  and  made  prisoners  by  a  single  charge  of  mounted  infan- 


^m 


i  h:.' 


iij,  yre  took  upon  the  eronnd,  or  near  it,  a  ffne  brast  fiel^  inaiii 
of  artillery.  Several  of  the  pieces  are  trophies  of  the  revoItt> 
tion,  taken  at  Saratoga  and  York,  and  surrendered  by  ffeneral 
Hull.  The  number  of  small  arms  and  military  stores,  taken  by 
us,  or  destroy^  by  the  enemy,  is  immense*  My  force  in  action, 
of  all  descriptions,  was  short  of  2500. 

I  am  preparing  an  expedition  to  Michilimackinac,  and  another 
to  Long  Pomt,  to  destroy  at  the  latter  a  depot  of  pronsions. 

I  shdi  send  orders  to  general  Oano,  by  this  conveyance.  It  it 
probable  that  the  greater  part  of  his  troops  may  be  dflsmissed'in  » 
short  time.  Tlie  Indians  in  this  neighbourhood,  are  submitting  at 
discretion, 

I  am  your  friend, 

WILUAM  IL  HARBISON) 
fiia  excellency  CSot.  lUlffk 


(iNCLOSyRE.) 

SPEECH  OF  TECUMSEH 

it  the  name  of  the  Indian  chiefs  and  warriors,  to  major  generid 
Proctor t  as  the  representative  of  their  great  Father t  the  king. 

Father— -Listen  to  your  children !  You  have  them  now  all  be- 
fore you.  The  war  before*  this,  our  British  father  gave  the  hatchet 
to  his  red  children,  when  our  old  chiefs  were  alive.  They  are  now 
dead.  In  that  war,  our  father  was  thrown  on  his  back  by  th« 
Americans,  and  our  father  took  them  by  the  hand  without  onr 
knowledge  ;t  and  we  are  afraid  that  our  father  will  do  so  again 
at  this  time.  Summer  before  last,  when  I  came  forward  with  my 
red  brethren,  and  was  ready  to  take  up  the  hatchet  in  favour  of 
our  British  father,  we  were  told  not  to  be  in  a  hurry— that  he 
had  not  yet  determined  to  fidit  the  Americans. 

Listen! — When  war  was  declared,  our  father  stood  up  and  gave 
US  the  tomahawk,  and  told  us  that  he  was  now  ready  to  strike 
the  Americans ;  ^at  he  wanted  our  assistance ;  and  that  he  would 
certainly  get  us  our  lands  back,  which  the  Americans  had  taken 
from  us. 

Listen  /—You  told  us  that  time,  to  bring  forward  our  families 
to  this  place ;  and  we  did  so,  and  you  promised  to  take  care  of 
them,  and  that  they  should  want  for  nothing,  while  the  men 
would  go  and  fight  the  enemy ;  that  we  need  not  trouble  our> 
selves  about  the  enemy's  garrisons ;  that  we  knew  nothing  about 
them ;  aftd  that  our  fatlier  would  attend  to  that  part  of  the  busi- 
ness, ^ou  also  told  your  red  children  that  vou  would  take  gott4 
oare  of  their  garrison  here,  which  made  our  hearts  glad. 

*  The  revolutionuy  war. 

t  The  BntiAimdb  peace  without  M^itfpttlMionftrtlieivBidianalBCfc 


Ml 


cen 


Listm! — When  we  were  last  to  the  Rapidg,  it  is  true  we  gaY« 
Tou  assistance.  It  is  hard  to  fight  people  who  live  like  grouoML 
no»4.* 

Listen  Father!— Ow  fleet  has  gone  out— we  know  they  havt 
foughtr— we  have  heard  the  great  guns,  but  know  nothing  of  what 
has  tiappened  to  our  father  with  one  arm.t  Our  troops  have  gone 
one-  way,  and  we  are  very  much  astonished  to  see  our  father  tyii^ 
up  every  thing  and  preparing  to  run  away  the  other,  without  let- 
ing  his  red  children  know  what  his  intentions  are.  You  always 
told  us  to  remain  here,  and  take  care  of  our  land»— it  made  our 
hearts  glad  to  hear  that  was  your  wish.  Our  great  father,  the 
king,  is  the  head,  and  you  represent  him.  You  always  told  us, 
that  you  would  never  draw  your  fittot  off  British  ground ;  but  now, 
father,  we  see  you  are  drawing  back,  and  we  are  sorry  to  see  our 
father  doing  so,  without  seeing  the  enemy.  We  must  compare 
our  father's  conduct  io  a  fat  animal,  that  carries  its  tail  upon  it$ 
back,  but  when  affrighted,  it  drops  it  between  its  legs,  and  rung 
off. 

Listen  Father!— The  Americans  have  not  yet  defeated  us  by 
land  ;  neither  are  we  sure  that  they  have  dune  so  by  water :  wg 
therefore  wish  to  remain  here,  andjlght  our  enemy,  sliould  they 
make  their  appearance.  If  they  defeat  us,  we  will  then  retreat 
with  our  father. 

At  the  battle  of  the  Rapids,  last  war,  the  Americans  certainly 
defeated  us ;  and  when  we  retreated  to  our  father's  fort]:  at  that 
place,  the  gates  were  shut  against  us.  We  were  afraid  that  it 
would  now  be  th^case,  but  instead  of  that,  we  see  our  Britisb 
father  preparing  to  march  out  of  his  garrison. 

Father!— Yon  have  got  the  arms  and  ammunition  which  the 
great  father  sent  for  his  red  children.  If  you  have  any  idea  of 
going  away,  give  them  to  us,  and  you  may  go  and  welcome,  for  us. 
Our  lives  are  in  the  hands  of  the  Crreat  Spirit— 'We  are  determined 
to  defend  our  lands,  and  if  it  is  his  will,  we  wish  to  leave  our 
bones  upon  them. 

Amherstburg,  September  \%th,  1813. 


liliee 
of 


ire 


men 
our- 

9Ut 

Ibusi- 

goe4 


alfi«k. 


FORT  GEORGE,  October  11th,  1813, 7  o'clock  P.  M. 

SIR, 

Within  the  last  five  minutes,  I  have  had  the  honour  to  receive 
your  despatch  by  "  the  Lady  of  the  Lake." 

The  enemy  has  treated  me  with  neglect.    He  continued  in  hit 
old  positions  until  Saturday  last  (the  9th)  when  he  took  up  his 

*  During  the  siege  of  Fort  Meigs,  the  troops  covered  themielres  fromthB 
tnemy's  fire,  bv  throwing  up  travesses  and  ditches  of  eaiti). 
f  Commodore  Barclay. 
:t  Fort  Miami,  near  Wayne's  battle  groTmd> 

31 


J  n 


24t 

netreat  on  Burlingtoa  heights,  and  has  nhandoned  this  whole  pen- 
iruiUu.  Two  caui^es  are  assigned  br  this  precipitate  movement ; 
the  succour  of  Proctor,,  who  is  reported  to  have  been  entirely  de- 
feated, if  not  taken  ;  the  other,  the  safety  of  Kingston,  endanger- 
ed by  your  movement.  We  have  had  horn  the  enemy  many  de- 
serters, most  of  whom  concur  in  the  latter  supposition.  The 
British  burnt  every  thing  in  store  in  this  neighbourhood,  SOOO 
blankets,  many  hundred  stands  of  arms,  also  the  blankets  in  the 
men's  packs,  and  every  article  of  clothing  not  in  actual  use. 

They  are  supposed  to  have  reached  Burlington  heights  last 
evening,  from  the  rate  of  their  march  the  night  before.  1  have 
information  of  tlieir;  having  passed  "the  40,"  by  several  inhabi- 
tants who  have  come  down.  They  add  to  what  was  stated  by  the 
deserters,  that  two  officers  of  the  41st  had  joined  general  Vincent 
from  Proctor's  army,  with  the  information  that  Proctor  was  de- 
feated eighteen  miles  this  side  of  Maiden.  I  cannet  get  particu- 
lars. 

From  the  same  sources  of  intelligence,  it  appears  that  the  49th, 
a  part  of  the  100th,  and  the  voltigeurs,  moved  from  this  neigh- 
bourhood the  day  after  our  llotiila  left  this,  the  Sd  instant,  but 
with  what  destination  is  not  certainly  known,  it  was  first  reported 
(I  mean  in  theEritish  camp)  tiiat  these  regiments  had  marcned  to 
support  Proctor,  who,  it  is  said,  wrote  that  he  would  be  compelled 
to  surrender  if  not  supported,  i  am  pretty  sure,  however,  that 
they  are  gone  below,  ihe  movement  of  our  army,  belou ,  seems 
to  have  been  known  in  the  Britisii  lines  as  early  as  the  Sd  instant* 
tei^etiter  with  the  immediate  objects  in  view;  lience  1  have  no 
dimculty  in  concluding,  that  ail  the  movements  of  the  enemj 
will  concentrate  at  Kingston. 

Chapin,  wiio  h:;s  been  commissioned  a  lieutenant  colonel, 
marclied  lute  last  evening  up  the  lake,  with  about  100  volunteers 
under  his  Cu.iimi:nd,  and  was  followed  this  morning  by  generals 
M'Clure  and  Porter,  witii  about  1000  men,  Indians  and  niilitia 
included.  There  is  no  danger  of  their  coming  up  with  the  enemy, 
«r  they  vould  be  in  great  danger  of  a  total  annihilation. 

Vincent  took  hence  with  him,  about  1000  or  1,100  regulars, 
llany  of  the  militia  left  this  with  tiie  avowed  design  of  plunder; 
but  1  fear  from  reports  that  the  British  have  leit  the  miserable 
inhabitants  without  any  thing,  to  be  ravished.  1  expect  general 
M'Clure  back  to-morrow  evening,  as  he  only  took  with  him  sup- 
plies for  two  days  ;  he  will  probably  go  as  far  as  '*  the  20."  (in 
the  8th  Chapin  went  out  with  a  small  party  and  attacked  one  of 
the  enemy's  pickets,  which  brought  on  a  skirmibh  in  which  many 
of  colonel  Swift's  regiment  participated.  Alter  a  great  v\aste  of 
ammunition,  the  'parties  retired  to  their  respective  camps  with 
little  loss  on  either  side ;  we  made  and  lost  a  prisoner,  had 
two  Indians  killeil,  and  two  otlier  men  wounded.  \Ve  hear  the 
enemy  had  five  men  wounded. 


no 


lars. 
|iler; 
lable 
lieial 
Itiup- 

be  of 
iiany 
Ite  of 
Ivith 
had 
the 


SB4B 

lYiad  this  morning  made  an  arrangement,  on  application  of 
general  M'Clure,  to  be  relieved  \n  the  command  of  tnis  post  on 
Sie  morning  of  the  13th  instant,  with  an  intention  of  taking  up 
my  line  of  inarch  for  Sackett'3  Harbor,  accordinj^to  the  dis»cre>ion 
allowed  me  in  the  instructions  I  had  the  honour  to  receive  frcm 
J  oil  at  this  place.  My  situation  has  become  truly  insupportable* 
without  the  possibility  of  an  attack  at  this  post,  and  with- 
out the  possibility  of  reaching  you  time  enough  to  share  in  the 
glory  of  impending  operations  below ;  I  am  nevertheless,  flattered 
with  the  assurance  that  transport  will  be  forwarded  for  my  re- 
moval, and  to  favor  that  intention,  I  propose  taking  up  my  line 
of  march  on  the  morning  of  the  13th  lor  the  mouth  of  Genessee 
river,  and  there  await  the  arrival  of  the  vessels  you  are  good 
enough  to  promise  me.  By  this  movement,  captain  Mix  thinks 
with  me,  that  I  shall  hasten  my  arrival  at  Sackett'»  Harbor  5 
possibly  10  days.  Captain  Camp  has  a  sufficient  number  of 
wagons  to  take  me  thither ;  I  can  easily  make  that  place  by  the 
evening  of  the  1.5th.  I  hope  l  shall  have  your  approbation,  and 
every  tning  is  arranged  with  brigadier  M'Clure. 

Knowing  your  wishes  respecting  the  invalids  or  subjects  for 
discharge,  and  fearing  that  water  transport  might  not  be  had  till 
'  •.  reason  was  too  far  advanced  for  their  removal,  Ihave  ventured 
10  'id  lieutenant  Archer  (  paymaster  of  the  2()th  who  was  4eft 
Li-t<5  without  orders,)  on  command  to  Greenbush,  with  100  men  of 
this  description.  It  was  a  measure  approved  of  by  doctor  Mann* 
and  I  hope  not  contrary  to  your  wishes  and  intentions.  Doctor 
Hugo,  surgeon's  mate  of  the  14th  (af^o  left  here  without  orders) 
accompanied  the  detachment.  The  quai*ter  master's  department 
furnished  8  wagons  on  my  requisition.  ^ 

*  The  a'lck.  list  of  the  garrison  is  much  reduced  since  your  depar« 
ture,  (I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  my  morning  report)  and  Doctor 
Mann  has  dischartred  many  patients  from  his  hospital:  I  also  en^ 
close  you  his  last  report.  Those  marked  "subjects  for  discharge" 
are  partot  the  number  sent  oflTto  Greenbush.  Doctor  Mann  and 
captain  Camp  have  concluded  to  remove  the  general  hospital  to 
*•  the  eleven  mile  Creek  "  near  Butialoe,  the  barracks  at  Mhich, 
place  will  be  sufficient  for  the  reception  of  the  whole  of  the  sick* 
with  some  trifling  repairs. 

From  the  morning  report  enclosed,  ycu  will  find  794  the  '*  total," 
&c.  present  of  the  regulars  of  this  garrison,  including  officers, 
&c.  Transport  will  be  necessary  for  about  80  0  persons.  1  wish 
also  to  take  with  me  four  iron  6's,  one  5^  inch  howitzer,  and  two 
caissons,  the  whole  on  field  carriages.  This  train  will  form  no  im- 
pediment in  my  march  to  the  mouth  of  Geressee  river,  as  I  have 
horses  belonging  to  the  regiment,  sufficient  to  draw  it.  If  it  meet 
your  approbation,  I  can  send  the  horses  thence  to  Sackett's  Harbor 
by  land. 

I  have,  by  working  almost  night  and  day,  ^eatly  improved  the 
defences  of  this  post,  and  nearly  filled  up  the  idea  of  the  engineer. 


4 


I 

h 

1 

\ 

l'4 

1 

J 

M 

,;' 

» 

j  J 

. 

s 

L 

.'.    . 

^E 

H 

ii 

I 

I- 

m 

I 

r '  r*^ 

I  flatter  myself  that  I  Save  also  improved  the  garrison  in  disci- 
pline. I  must  apologize  for  the  haste  in  which  this  is  written,  but 
captain  Mix  proposes  to  sail  immediately,  and  I  fear  to  detain 
hill)  a  moment  I  think  I  shall  certainly  be  at  the  mouth  of  th* 
Genessee  by  the  15th  instant. '. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be.  &c. 

W.  SCOTT,  Col,  (kmdg. 
lli\jorgener»l  Wilkinson. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  colonel  Clark,  to  brigadier  general 

Parker, 

CAMP,  CHAZY-LANDING,  October  15th,  1813. 

It  is  with  great  pleasu*-^  I  can  inform  you  of  a  successful 
attack  upon  the  enemy  at  Massequoi  bay,  on  the  morning  of  the 
12th  instant  At  this  time  1  had  only  the  riflemen  with  me,  the 
artiUery  moving  slow  and  the  militia  protecting  their  reai\  We 
proceeded  to  the  village  (Massequoi)  and  arrived  within  15  rods  of 
tiie  enemy  before  we  were  discovered.  We  found  them  drawn  up 
under  major  Powell,  in  a  manner  that  would  have  annoyed  ua 
much  had  we  attacked  them  by  water,  but  wholly  unprepared  to 
defbnd  themselves  im  the  land  side ;  they  commenced  a  fire  on 
the  left  flank,  but  in  ten  minutes  after  the  first  attack  they  laid 
down  their  arms  and  surrendered  themselves  prisoners  of  war. 

Understanding  that  a  fiyce  of  200  men,  under  colonel  Lock» 
-was  marching  to  attack  us,  I  despatched  captain  Finch,  with  hia 
company,  to  reconnoitre  them  and  ascertain  their  course.  He 
proceeded  with  such  promptness  and  ability  as  to  surprise  ^nd 
capture  the  advanced  guard,  consisting  of  cavalry,  excepting  one 
man  who  escaped,  and,  giving  the  information,  the  enemy 
letreated. 

The  pri^ioners  were  then  put  on  board  our  boats  and  sent  to 
Burlington. 

Our  wHole  force  engaged  was  102— the  number -of  prisonera 
taken  is  101,  their  killed  9.  and  wounded  14. 

1  am,  sir,  with  great  respect,  &c. 

ISAAC  CLARK. 
Biig.  gen.  Parker,  commanding  at 

Burlington,  Vt 


■  !■ 


ADDRESS 
To  the  inhabitants  of  the  Upper  Province  of  Canada. 

Brigadier  general  M'Clure,  commanding  on  the  Niagara  froi- 
tier,  finds  the  Upper  Province  deserted  by  the  British  army  and 
abandoned  by  its  government  in  the  peculiar  situation  of  the 


ii4h 

inhabitants,  it  it  essential  to  their  security  that  some  regulations 
should  be  established  for  their  government,  while  the  American 
army  has  the  power  of  enforcing  them.  The  genera!  regrets  to 
say,  that  illegal,  unauthorized,  and  forbidden  pillage  has  been 
committed  by  a  few,  who  are  lost  to  all  honour,  and  insensible  of 
the  obligations  of  a  soldier.  To  arrest  such  practices,  to  afford 
all  the  protection  in  his  power,  and  to  ensure  safety  to  the  property 
and  persons  of  the  inhabitants,  who  are  now  under  his  controul, 
the  general  has  issued  this  address. 

The  employment  of  the  Indians  has  been  a  source  of  extreme 
regret  to  tne  general.  But  finding  them  called  out  by  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States,  and  expecting  to  attack  an  army 
who  had  long  employed  them  in  scenes  of  atrocity  and  outrage,  at 
which  humanity  shudders,  he  was  driven  to  the  only  alternative 
left  him,  of  using  the  same  weapon  against  our  enemies  which 
they  had  used  against  ourselves ;  that  the  British  army  had  aban- 
doned their  encampments  and  fled  before  the  American  force, 
does  not  weaken  the  necessity  which  he  was  under  of  employing 
the  Indians  before  he  knew  the  enemy  had  absconded.  At  the 
same  time,  it  is  due  to  them  to  say,  that  the  Indians  have  con  ■ 
ducted  themselves  far  better  than  could  have  been  expected,  if 
the  example  of  British  officers  and  British  savages  be  a  crit«rion. 
Not  a  single  individual  has  been  scalped  or  tomahawked  by  them, 
no  prisoner  of  war  has  been  burnt,  the  dead  have  not  been  thrown 
into  the  public  highways,  women  and  children  have  not  been 
massacred,  nor  has  private  property  been  destroyed,  except  in 
eases  where  the  former  conduct  pf  the  owners  required  exemplary 
retaliation.  The  property  which  they  have  plundered,  has,  in 
eases  where  it  was  possible,  been  restored  by  the  Inhabitants  of 
the  United  States ;  and  when  the  necessity  for  their  employment 
cease^H  to  exist,  the  Indians  were  sent  to  the  American  side  of 
the  river,  beyond  the  reach  of  temptation,  to  wait  until  circum- 
stances justified  another  call  upon  them.  The  relation  of  these 
facts  is  due  to  the  honour  of  our  government,  to.  the  reputation  of 
the  general,  and  to  the  merits  of  the  Indians.  From  it,  also,  the 
inhwitanta  of  Canada  may  learn  what  they  may  expect  from 
American  forbearance  and  clemency. 

To  insure  that  forbearance,  the  inhabitants  have  an  easy  duty 
to  penbrm;  let  them  be  perfectly  neutral,  let  them  abstain  from 
communications  with  the  British  army  and  remain  at  home,  auietly 
pursuing  their  avocations.  Those  who  conduct  differently  will 
incur  the  penalties  of  rigorous  martial  law.  The  character  of  our 
free  republican  government,  and  the  nature  of  our  institutions, 
will  justify  your  expectation  of  security  and  protection.  All 
civil  magistrates  will  conticue  to  exercise  the  functions  of  their 
offices  merely  as  conservators  of  the  peace.  As  far  as  they  are 
able,  they  mtuI  preserve  order  and  quiet  among  the  inhabitants. 
The  existing  laws  of  thi  province,  so  far  as  they  regard  the  public 
peace,  and  not  interfering  with  the  regulations  of  the  armya,vah 


4 


i 


I        ■   ■:   i 


•Ifi 


t46 


be  considered  in  force  until  other  measures  are  talcen.  The  ma- 
gistrates are  particularly  required  to  give  information  at  head 
quarters  of  all  violence  committed  by  American  troops  on  citizens, 
unless  they  are  authorized  by  a  written  order.  The  general 
enjoins  the  inhabitants  to  submit  to  their  magistrates,  and  those 
who  refuse  obedience  must  be  reported  to  head  quarters.  The 
brigadier  general  invite^  all  the  inhabitants  who  are  disposed  to 
be  peaceable,  orderly,  and  neutral,  to  return  to  their  homes  and 
their  business.  He'  cannot  promise  complete  security,  but  he 
engages,  »  ''^r  as  his  power  extends,  to  protect  the  innocent,  the 
aiiiortun.*t      id  the  distressed.   ~ 

GEO.  M'CLURE, 
Commanding  Niagara  Frontier, 
Ueab  QvjlBtbbi,  Fobt  Gboroi,  Oct.  16th,  1813. 


A  PROCLAMATION  BY  GENERAL  HARRISON. 

An  armistice  having  been  concluded  between  the  United 
States  and  the  ribes  of  Indians  called  Mianiies,  Pattawatamies, 
Eel  River,  Weas,  Ottoways,  Chippeways  and  Wyandots,  to 
continue  until  the  pleasure  of  the  government  of  the  former 
flhall  be  known — 1  do  hereby  make  known  the  same  to  all  whom  it 
may  concern.  This  armistice  is  preparatory  to  a  general  council 
to  oe  held  with  these  different  tribes,  and  until  its  termination 
they  have  been  permitted  to  retire  to  their  hunting  grounds,  and 
there  to  remain  unmolested,  if  they  behave  themselves  peaceably. 
They  have  surrendered  into  our  hands  hostages  from  each  tril>e, 
and  have  agreed  imn<ediately  to  restore  all  our  prisoners  in  thei** 
possession,  and  to  unite  with  us  in  the  chastisement  of  any  Indians, 
who  may  commit  any  aggression  upon  our  frontiers.  Under  these 
circumstances,  1  exhort  all  citizens  living  upon  the  frontiers  to , 
respect  the  terms  of  said  armistice,  and  neitner  to  engage  in  nor 
countenance  any  expedition  against  their  persons  or  property: 
leaving  to  the  government,  with  whom  the  consultation  has  left  it, 
to  pursue  such  course,  with  roispect  to  the  Indians,  as  they  may 
think  most  compatible  with  sound  policy  and  the  best  interests  o 
the  country. 

JDone  at  Detroit,  this  I6th  October,  1813. 

WILLIAM  K    HARRISON. 


October  18th,  1813. 


SIR, 

The  fortune  of  war  having  placed  the  private  property  of 
the  officers  and  several  families  of  the  right  division  oi  the  British 
army  in  Upper  Canada,  in  yeur  power;  as  also  letters,  papera 


94^ 

and  touchers  of  the  greatest  consequence  to  individuals,  without- 
being  of  any  to  the  cause  of  the  captors ;  I  do  myself  the  honour  o£ 
applying  to  you  in  their  behalf,  hoping  that  agreeably  to  the  cus- 
tom of  war,  you  will  avail  yourself  of  this  favourable  opportunity 
to  alleviate  private  feelings,  by  causing  the  said  property  and 
documents  to  be  restored.  I  must  also  intreat  that  every  consid- 
eration in  your  power  be  shown  for  private  families,  not  of  the 
army.  1  trust  that  with  the  same  view  you  will  permit  the  bearer 
hereof  to  asceitain  the  fate  of  individuals,  and  that  you  will  facili- 
tate the  retreat  of  any  families  that  may  unfortunately  have  bee^^ 
interrupted  in  the  attempt. 

I  have  the  honour  to  he\  &c. 

HENRY  PROCTOR, 

tklaj,  gtn,  in  his  B.  Jdajesty^s  service^ 

Maj.  Gen.  W.  H.  Harrison, 

conunimding  U.  S.  Army. 


MTfFvTf 


n 


and 


JSxtracts  of  a  Utter  from  general  Wilkinson  to  the  Secrefary  qf 

IVar,  dated 

"GRENADU     .SLAND,  October  28th,  181S, 

*'I  send  you  this  by  an  extra  aid-de-camp,  captain  Nourse* 
to  relieve  the  anxiety  to  which  you  must  be  subject,  in  the  im- 
pending eventful  moment.'* 

<*  Tlie  extent  of  the  injuries  to  our  craft,  the  clothing  and  arms 
of  the  men,  and  to  our  provisions  on  the  passage  from  Sackett's 
Harbor  to  this  place,  greatly  exceeded  our  apprehensions,  and 
h&.i  subiected  us  to  the  necessity  of  furnishing  a  supply  of  cloth- 
ing, unu  of  making  repairs  and  equipments  to  our  flotilla  gene- 
rally. In  fact,  all  our  no|)e8  have  been  very  nearly  blasted ;  but 
thanks  to  the  same  Providence  which  placed  js  in  jeopardy,  we 
are  surmounting  our  difficulties,  and,  God  willing,  I  shall  pass 
Frescott  on  the  night  of  tlte  1st  or  !2d  proximo,  if  some  unforeseen 
obstacle  does  not  present  to  forbid  nte.  I  shall  expect  to  he:ir 
from  you  at  Morrisville,  where  coUmel  Swift  is  to  meet  me,  and 
to  guard  against  chance  shots,  I  wish  wagons  would  be  held  in 
readiness  to  receive  our  powder  aud  tield  ammunition,  ut  a  suita- 
ble distance  above  Prescott." 

*<  I  keep  up  the  delusion  here ;  and  the  enemy,  about  sixteen 
hundred  strong,  exclusive  of  live  hundred  militia,  are  in  daily  ex- 
pectation of  a  visit  at  Kingston,  yet  they  have  taken  post,  I  under- 
stand, at  Cornwall  and  ihe  Coteau  de  Lac.  No  mutter :  once 
passed  Prescott,  and  our  bayonets  and  sabres  shall  remove  all 
impediments." 

"The  inexorable  winds  and  rains  continue  to  oppose  and  em- 
barrass our  movements ;  but  [  am  seizing  on  every  moment's  in- 
terval to  slip  into  the  bt.  Lawrence  corps  aud  detachments,  as 


m  t!i: ' 


fr.  •;; 


♦5- 


.in 


'4 


p  'i 


i  :     . 


k4S 

tlie/  can  b«  got  ready.  Our  rendezvoui  will  be  in  Bush  creek, 
about  twenty  miles  below,  and  nearly  opposite  to  Gananoqui, 
which  position  menaces  a  descent  on  the  opposite  shore.  I  shall 
sail  from  that  position  at  4  o'clock  of  the  morning,  and  will  past 
Prescott  about  the  same  time  the  ensuing  morning.*' 

**  We  have  had  such  a  fluctuation  of  eick  and  well,  between  this 
place  and  Sackett's  Harbor,  that  it  is  impossible  to  say  in  what 
force  we  f>hall  move ;  but  I  calculate  on  6000  combatants,  exclusive 
of  Scott  and  Randolph,*  neither  of  whom  will,  I  fear,  be  up  in 
season,  notwithstanding  all  my  arrangements  and  exertions  to 
accelerate  their  march :  they  are  both  under  provisional  orders 
from  Ogdensburg.'* 


i^ 


'4i  1 


ilh^' 


iiii  5  -- 


'I'm 


kl..» 


WAR  DEPARTMENT,  DENMARK, 

October  30th,  9  o'clock  P.  M. 

DEAR  GENERAL, 

I  this  moment  received  your  despatch  by  captain  Nourse.  I 
rejoice  that  your  difliculties  are  so  far  surmounted,  as  to  enable 
you  to  say,  with  assurance,  when  you  will  pass  Prescott.  I  should 
nave  met  you  there ;  but  bad  roads,  worse  weather,  and  a  consi- 
derable degree  of  illness,  admonished  me  against  receding  further 
from  a  point  where  my  engagements  call  me,  about  the  Ist  proxi- 
mo. Tne  resolution  oV  treading  back  my  steps,  was  taken  at  Ant- 
werp, and  communicated  in  a  letter  from  that  place,  by  major 
Lusn.  I  wrote  a  single  line  to  you  to-day,  giving  the  fortunate 
issue  of  Harrison's  business,  and  his  arrival  at  Fort  George  mth 
M' Arthur's  brigade.  If  Vincent  be  within  the  peninsula,  Harrison 
will  root  him  out  It  remains  with  you  to  sweep  the  rest  of  the 
line  before  you.  Montreal  taken,  vyhat  are  Prescott  and  Kings- 
ton? Give  Hampton  timely  notice  of  your  approach,  and  of  Uie 
place  and  hour  of  junction. 

Yours  sincerely, 

JOHN  ARMSTRONG. 
Major  General  Wilkinson. 


Extracts  of  a  letter  from  general  Wilkinson  to  ihe  Secretary  of 

jFar,  dated 

^GRENADIER  ISLAND,  November  Ist,  1813. 

<*  You  will  perceive  from  the  duplicate  under  cover  (letter  of 
the  28th  of  October)  what  were  my  calculations  four  days  since : 
but  the  winds,  and  waves,  and  rains,  still  prevail,  and  we  have 
made  several  fruitless  attempts  to  turn  Stony  Point,  one  of 
them  at  great  peril  to  3,000  men,  whom  I  seasonably  remanded 
to  the  haroor,  without  the  loss  of  a  life.  Oui*  sick,  one  hundred 
and  ninety -six  in  number,  have  not  fared  *  as  well :  they  were 
embarked  in^ stout,  comfortable  vessels,  and  sailed,  the  day  before 

'^  Scott  and  Randolph  both  joinad. 


m 


%49 

yestenlaj  morning,  for  Sackett's  Harirar,  but  they  were  drlvei  ok 
shore  by  a  storm,  which  continued  with  unremitting  violence  all 
night ;  and  as  no  exertion  could  relieve  them,  1  anticipated  ths 
loss  of  the  whole ;  but  the  tempest  having  abated,  and  the  wind 
shifting  from  south-west  to  nortn-east,  boats  were  sent  out  yester- 
dny  morning,  and  doctor  Bull  reports  the  loss  of  three  men  only* 
Otlier  means  of  transport  will  be  provided  to-morrow,  and  these 
unfortunate  men  will  be  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Sackett's  Harbor.^ 

"  Brigadier  Brown,  with  his  brigade,  the  light  artillery,  the 
riflemen,  the  volunteers,  the  gunboats,  BissePs  regiment,  and  a 
part  of  MTomb's,  are,  I  expect,  safe  at  French  creek,  with  the 
artillery  and  ordnante  stores.  These  corps  have  made  the  tra- 
verse of  the  arms  of  the  lake  under  circumstances  of  great  danger, 
though  fortunately  without  the  loss  of  a  life,  but  at  the  expense  of 
•ome,  boats.'* 

"  I  shall  wait  one  day  longer,  and  if  the  passage '  should  still 
continue  impracticable  to  the  troops.  I  will  land  them  on  the 
opposite  shore,  march  them  across  the  *  country  to  the  St.  Law- 
rence,  and  send  the  empty  boats  round  to  a  given  rendezvous.'* 

"  As  major  general  Hampton  is  under  jour  orders,  permit  me 
to  suggest  to  you  what  is  worthy  of  reflection :  whether  he  should 
take  a  position,  and  wait  the  arrival  of  my  command  near  the 
confluence  of  the  St.  Lawrence  and  Grand  river,  or  whether  he 
should  move  down  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  menace  Ch::*nbly  ?  If 
he  is  strong  enough  to  meet  sir  Geoi^e,  the  tatter  will  be  the  pre- 
ferable plan,  because  it  will  have  the  effect  to  divide  the,  enemy's 
force  ;  otherwise  he  should  adopt  the  first  idea,  hazard  nothing, 
and  strer.gthen  my  hands." 

"  The  enclosed  copy  of  a  memorandum  from  colonel  Swift  will 
show  you  what  he  is  al^ut,  I  flatter  myself,  to  jour  satisfaction. 
The  sole  unpleasant  circumstance  before  me,  is  our  total  igno- 
rance of  the  preparations  of  sir  George,  and  what  we  may  expect 
to  meet  on  the  island.  1  fear  no  consequences  ;  but  it 'must  be 
painful  to  lead  more  than  six  t'lousand  men  to  battle  hoodwinked; 
and  yet  all  my  efforts  to  procure  intelligence  from  Montreal  have 
proved  fruitless." 


,\    . 


IL  Q.  FOUR  CORNERS,  November  Ist,  1813. 


SIR. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Slst  ultimo  the  army  commenced  ita 
iqovement  down  the  Chateaugay,  for  the  purpose  of  placing  itself, 
in  a  situation  which  would  enable  it  to  fulfil  ita  part  of  the  pro- 
posed combined  operations  on  the  St  Lawrenv  c. 

An  extensive  wood  of  eleven  or  twelve  miles  in^  front,  block- 
aded up  with  felled  timber,  and  covered  by  the  Indians  fnd  light 
troops  of  the  enemy,  was  a  serious  impediment  to  the  arduous 
iMMk  of  opening  a  road  for  the  artillery  and  stores.    Brigadier  gen- 

92 


1   ', 


fu 


•^'J 


'5  '  >.  M 


iA    #!! 


eral  Izard,  with  the  light  troop«i  and  one  regiment  of  the  line,  WM 
fletached  early  in  tlie  iiiorniiig  tu  turn  tliese  impediments  in  flank, 
and  to  Huize  on  the  mure  open  country  Ix'luw,  \^llile  the  army, 
preceded  by  a  strong  working  i)Hrty,  advanced  on  a  more 
circuitous  but  practicnble  route  tor  a  roud.  The  measure,  as 
will  be  seen  by  the  repf»rt  of  brigadier  general  l/.ard,  which  I 
have  the  honour  to  inclose,  rompletulv  sucreeded,  and  the  main 
body  of  the  army  reached  tl  *>  ud^aticcc!  j.okition  on  the  evening 
of  tlu'  22d.  The  2.>d  and  24th  ucre  emphtyed  in  completing  the 
road  and  getting  up  the  artillery  and  stores. 

I  had  arranged,  at  my  departure,  under  the  direction  of  major 
Parker,  a  line  of  communication  as  far  up  the  St.  Lawrence  ai 
Ogdennburg,  for  the  purpose  of  hantening  to  me  the  eailiest  no- 
tice of  the  progress  of  our  army  down.  1  hud  surmounted  twenty 
four  miles  of  tne  most  difficult  part  of  the  route,  and  had  in  ad- 
vance of  me  seven  miles  of  open  country,  but  at  the  end  of  that 
distance  commenced  a  wtuxl  ot  some  miles  in  extent,  which  had 
been  formed  into  an  entire  abatis  and  tilled  bv  a  succession  of 
wooden  breast  works,  the  rearmost  of  which  were  supplied  with 
ordnance.  In  front  of  these  defences  v  ere  placed  the  Indian  force 
and  liglit  corps  of  the  enemy,  and  in  the  rear  all  of  his  disposable 
force.  As  the  extent  of  this  force  depended  ujton  his  sense  of 
danger  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  it  was  a  cause  ot  regret  that  all 
communication  from  yourself  or  mujor  Parker  seemed  to  be  at 
an  end.  As  it  was,  however,  believed  that  the  enemv  was  hourly 
adding  to  his  strength  in  this  position,  if  free  from  the  apprehen- 
sion of  danger  from  above,  an  effort  was  judged  necessary  to 
dislodge  him,  and  if  it  succeeded,  we  should  be  m  possession  of  a 
position  which  we  could  hold  as  long  as  any  doubts  reiuained  of 
what  was  passing  above,  and  of  the  real  part  to  le  assigned  us. 

Our  guides  assured  us  of  a  shoal  and  practicable  fording  place 
opposite  the  lower  ffank  of  the  enemy's  defences,  and  that  the 
wood  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  a  distance  of  seven  or 
eight  miles,  \\si»  practicable  for  the  passage  of  the  troops.  ^  Colo- 
nel Purdy  with  the  light  corps,  and  a  strong  botly  oi  infantry  of 
the  line,  was  detached  at  an  early  hour  of  the  night  of  the  25th  to 
gain  this  ford  by  the  morning,  and  to  commence  his  attack  in  rear, 
and  that  was  to  be  the  si<;nal  for  tiie  army  to  (all  on  in  front,  and 
it  was  believed  the  pass  might  be  carried  before  the  enemy's  dis- 
tant troops  could  be  brought  forward  to  its  support. 

I  had  returned  to  my  tpiarters  from  Purdy  s  column  about  9 
o'clock  at  night,  where  1  found  a  Mr.  Baldwin,  of  the  quarter 
master  general's  department,  v  ho  put  into  my  liands  an  open  paper 
containing  instructions  to  him  from  tine  quarter  master  general, 
respecting  the  building  of  huts  for  the  urmy  in  the  Chateaugay, 
below  the  line.  This  paper  sunk  my  hopes,  and  raif>ed  serious 
doubts  of  receiving  that  iflicncious  support  which  hod  been  an- 
ticipated. 1  would  have  recalkd  the  cohimn,  but  it  was  in  mo- 
tion, and  the  darkness  of  the  night  rendered  it  impracticable. 


ijSt'!''^.'."/™'' " 


Ml 

I  could  onlj  KOiforward.  The  army  was  put  in  motion  on  the  mor- 
niti>i;  of  the  2oth,  leaving  its  baggage,  &c.  on  the  ground  of  en- 
cam  pinent. 

Oil  advancing  near  the  enemy,  it  was  found  that  the  column  oa 
the  uppotiite  side  ^  as  not  as  far  advanced  as  had  been  anticipa< 
ted.  The  guides  had  missed  it,  and  finally  failed  in  finding  the 
ford.  We  could  not  communicate  with  it,  but  only  Hwaited  the 
attack  btilow.  About  2  o'clock  the  firing  commenced,  and  our 
troops  advanced  rapidly  to  the  attach.  The  enemy's  light  troops 
commenced  a  sharp  fire,  but  brigadier  general  Izard  advanced 
with  his  brigade,  drove  him  every  where  behind  hin  defences  and 
silenced  the  fire  in  his  front.  This  brigade  would  have  pushed 
forward  as  far  as  couraj^e,  skill  and  perseverance  could  have 
carried  it  ;  but  on  advancing  it  was  found  tiiat  the  firing  had  com- 
menced on  the  opposite  side,  and  the  ford  had  not  been  gained. 

The  enemy  retired  behind  his  defences,  but  a  renewal  of  his 
attack  was  expected,  and  the  truops  remained  some  time  in  their 
position  to  meet  it.  The  troops  on  the  opposite  side  were  extes- 
sively  fatigued.  The  enterprise  had  failed  in  its  main  point,  and 
colonel  Purdy  was  ordered  to  withdraw  his  column  to  a  shoal 
four  or  five  miles  above,  and  cross  over.  The  day  was  spent,  and 
general  Izard  was  ordered  to  withdraw  his  brigade  to  a  position 
three  miles  in  the  rear,  to  which  place  the  baggage  had  been  or- 
dered fttrward. 

The  slowness  anti  order  with  which  general  Izard  retired  with 
his  brigade,  could  but  ha\e  inspired  the  enemy  with  respect. 
They  presumed  not  to  venture  a  i^hot  at  him  during  his  moveuient ; 
buttlie  unguardcdness  ot  soate  part  of  Purdy 's  command  exposed 
him  to  a  rear  attack  from  the  Indians,  which  was  repealed  after 
dark,  and  exposed  him. to  some  loss.  These  attacks  were  always 
repelled,  and  must  have  cost  the  enemy  as  many  lives  as  we  lost. 
Our  entire  loss  of  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  does  not  exceed 
fifty,  in  its  new  position  within  three  miles  of  the  enemy's  post, 
the  army  encamped  on  the  night  of  the  26tli,  and  remained  until 
1".  o'clock  of  the  ^8th.  All  the  deserters,  ol  whom  there  were  four, 
having  concurred  in  the  information  that  sir  George  Prevost, 
with  tliree  other  general  oiRcers,  had  arrived  with  the  whole  of 
his  disposable  force,  and  lay  in  the  rear  of  these  defences,  and  a 
letter  fron»  niajor  Parker  ^by  express  received  on  the  evening  of 
the  i26th)  having  informeu  me  that  no  movements  of  our  army 
down  the  St.  Lawrence  had  been  heard  of  at  Ogdensburg,  and  for 
some  distance  above  ;  the  following  questions  were  submitted  to 
commanding  oflicers  of  brigades,  regiments,  and  corps,  and  the 
heads  of  the  general  staff*,  in  a  council  convened  for  tlie  purpose  : 
"Is  it  advisable,  under  existing  circumstances,  to  renew  the  at- 
tack on  the  enemy's  position,  and  if  not,  what  position  is  it  advis- 
sable  for  the  army  to  take,  until  it  can  receive  advic^s  of  the 
advance  of  the  grand  army  down  the  St.  iiawrence  P"  Tht 
opinion  of  the  council  was  expressed  in  the  filUwiug  words  : 


^^^jj„rfai«=^^?«rt;^ 


9«» 


\'yi 


"  Tt  is  tlie  unanimoui  opinion  of  this  council,  that  it  it  neeei- 
iiary,  for  the  preHorvation  of  thin  army  and  the  fulfilment  of  the 
ostonnible  viewn  of  tlie  government,  that  we  immediately  return 
by  orderly  marches  to  such  -  position  (Chateaugay)  aa  will  ae- 
cure  our  comniunicationH  with  the  United  StateH,  either  to  retire 
into  winter  quartern,  or  to  be  ready  to  strike  below."  In  ourHU- 
ancc  of  this  opinion,  the  army  has  returned  by  slow  mnrcnes  to 
tliis  place,  and  now  awaits  the  orders  of  the  government.  Its 
condition  will  be  stated  by  the  bearer,  colonel  Kinjt,  whocan  irive 
you,  upon  every  point,  more  full  and  perfect  information,  than 
could  oe  coi^tained  in  a  written  detail. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

W.  HAMPTON. 
Honourable  John  Armstrong*, 

Secretary  of  War. 


'i  ' 


[tt  i^ 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  FORT  GEORGE,  November  3d,  1818^ 


Lieutenant  Le  Breton,  an  officer  in  your  service,  arrived  at 
Detroit  on  the  15th  ultimo,  bearing  a  flag  and  a  letter  to  me  from 
general  Proctor,  requesting  humane  treatment  for  the  prisoners  in 
mv  possession,  and  the  restoration  of  private  property  and  papers. 
This  letter  was  directed  to  me  at  the  Moravian  towns ;  and  at 
the  subject  was  nut  of  the  importance  to  authori/.e  the  lieutenant^ft 
pursuing  me  to  Detroit,  I  was  somewhat  surprised  at  his  doing 
so.  It  did  not  appear  to  me  proper  to  permit  him  to'  return  in 
that  way,  and  as  I  was  on  the  point  of  setting  out  fur  this  frontier 
by  water,  1  conceived  that  that  mode  of  conveyance  would  be  full 
as  agreeable  to  liim,  and  would  enable  him  to  meet  general  Proc- 
tor as  expeditiously  as  by  the  land  route.  I  regret  that  the  bad- 
ness of  the  weather,  and  other  causes  which  he  will  explain,  have 
detaine<l  him  until  this  time. 

Understanding  that  you  are  the  senior  officer,  I  have  determin- 
ed to  address  my  answer  to  you.  With  respect  to  the  subject  of 
general  Proctor's  letter,  those  which  I  have  the  honour  to  enclose 
to  you  from  the  British  officers,  w  ho  were  taken  on  the  5th  ultimo, 
to  their  friends,  and  the  report  of  Mr.  Le  Breton,  will  satisfy  you 
that  no  indulgence  which  humanity  could  claim  in  their  favour, 
or  the  usages  of  war  sanction,  has  been  withheld.  The  disposi- 
tion of  the  property  taken  on  the  field  of  action,  or  near  it,  was 
loft  to  the  commanding  officer  at  Detroit.  The  instructions  given 
to  that  gentleman,  and  the  well  known  generosity  of  his  character, 
will  insure  to  the  claimants  the  utmost  justice  and  liberality  in 
his  decisions.  In  making  this  statement,  I  wish  it,  however,  to 
be  distinctly  understood,  that  my  conduct,  with  regard  to  the  pri- 
soners and  property  taken,  has  l>een  dictated  solely  by  motives  of 
humanity,  and  not  by  a  belief  that  it  could  be  claimed  upon  the 
score  of  reciprocity  of  treatment  towards  the  American  prisoners 


J"'*' 


959 

who  had  fallen  into  the  handii  of  general  Proctor.  The  unhappj 
deHcription  of  perHons  who  hnve  vHciiptMl  fruiii  the  ttnuahHWK  ot 
the  Havageft  in  the  employment  of  the  HritiHh  {i;  >vernmerit,  who 
fought  under  the  immediate  orders  of  that  njflcerjxfive  Huffi'red 
all  the  indignities  and  deprivations  which  human  nature  is  capa- 
ble of  supporting.  There  is  no  siii^le  i;iHtance  that  1  have  heard 
of,  in  which  the  property  of  the  officers  has  been  respected.  But 
]  am  far  from  believing  that  the  conduct  of  general  Proctur  has  been 
thought  an  example  worthy  of  imitation  by  the  greater  part  of  the 
British  officers ;  and  in  the  character  of  general  Vincent,  I  have  a 
pledge  that  he  will  unite  his  exertions  with  mine,  to  soften  ai 
much  as  possible  the  fate  of  those  whom  the  fortune  of  war  maj> 
reciprocally  place  in  our  power. 

But,  sir,  there  is  another  subject  upon  which  I  wish  an  explicit 
declaration.  Will  the  Indians  who  still  adhe"e  to  the  cause  of 
his  Britannic  majesty,  be  suffered  to  continue  t'.  at  horrible  species 
of  warfare  which  they  have  heretofore  practiced  against  our  Iroopn, 
and  those  still  more'horrible  depredations  upon  the  piace;>>le  in- 
habitants of  our  frontiers?  I  nave  sufficient  e  idence  ^o  show 
that  even  the  latter  have  not  always  been  perpetrated  by  sinal! 
parties  of  vagrant  Indians,  acting  at  a  distance  from  the  'Brit\>H 
army.  Some  of  the  most  atrocious  instances  have  occurred  under 
the  eyes  of  the  British  commander  and  the  head  of  t.;.  fndian 
department.  1  shall  pass  by  the  tragedy  of  the  river  RaisiM,  and 
that  equally  well  known  which  was  acted  on  the  Miami  river, 
after  the  defeat  of  colonel  Dudley,  and  select  three  other  instances 
of  savage  barbarity  committed  under  the  auspices  of  general 
Proctor:  In  the  beginning  of  June,  a  small  party  of  Indians, 
conducted  by  an  Ottawa  chief,  who  1  believe  is  now  with  the 
British  army  under  your  command,  left  Maiden  in  bark  canoes, 
in  which  they  coasted  lake  Erie  to  the  mouth  of  Portage  river ;  the 
canoes  were  taken  across  the  Portage  to  the  Sandusky  bay,  over 
which  the  party  proceeded  tu  the  mouth  of  Cold  creek,  and  from 
thence  by  land  to  the  settlements  upim  that  river,  where  they  cap- 
tured three  families,  consisting  of  one  man  twelve  women  and 
children.  After  taking  the  prisoners  sunu.  .'i'^tance,  one  of  the 
women  was  discovered  to  be  unable  to  kcrwiup  with  them,  in 
consequence  of  her  advanced  state  of  pregnancy.  She  was  imme- 
diately tomahawked,  stript  naked,  her  womb  ripped  open,  and  the 
child  taken  out.  Three  or  four  of  the  children  were  successively 
butchered  as  they  discovered  their  i nubility  to  keep  up  with  the 
party.  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  Indians  at  Maiden,  two  or  three 
of  the  prisoners  were  ransomed  by  colonel  Klliott,  and  the  others 
by  the  citizens  of  Detioit,  where  they  remained  until  they  wei-e 
taken  off  by  their  friends  upon  the  recovery  of  that  place  liy 
our  army.  I  have  been  informed  that  the  savage  chief  received 
from  colonel  Elliott  a  reprimand  for  his  cruelty. 

On  the  29'"'  or  30th  or  the  same  month,  a  large  party  of  Indiaris 
were  sent  from  Maiden  en  a  war  expedition  to  LoweV  Sandusky^ 


(• 


?     ? 

(r':T    ^ 

*1«]  I-   ■ 

.    -'U  • 

y.l  . 

:, 

m%::  ! 

'.' 

f*  ' 

s*^ 

Xj  '"^ 

f'' 

|y||.j 

' 

f"  i 

Ui%' 


1.  ,i 
^^1 


nm 


l4 


fM 


.& 


mn 


rishing  province  opened  to  our  arms, 
venireance  been    wantina:.      The 


savages 


At  a  farm  house,  near  t1iat  place,  thej  murdered  the  whole  familr, 
consisting  of  a  man,  his  wife,  son  and  daughter. 

During  the  last  attack  upon  Fort  Meigs  b^  general  Proctor,  a 
party  headed  by  a  Seneca,  and  intimate  fnend  of  Tecumseh's, 
was  sent  to  endeavour  to  detach  from  our  interest  the  Shawanese 
of  Wapockanata.  In  their  way  hither  they  murdered  several 
men  and  one  woman,  who  was  working  in  her  cornfield. 

I  have  selected,  sir,  the  above  from  a~long  list  of  similar  in- 
stances of  barbarity,  which  the  history  of  the  last  fifteen  months 
could  furnish ;  because  they  were  perpetrated,  if  not  in  the 
view  of  the  British  conuuander,  by  parties  who  came  immedintely 
from  his  camp  and  returned  to  it ;  who  even  received  their  daily 
su|)port  from  the  king's  stores,  and  who,  in  fact,  (as  the  documents 
in  my  possession  will  show)  form  part  of  his  army. 

To  retaliate  then  upon  the  sui)jects  of  the  king  would  have  been 
justifiable  by  the  laws  of  war  and  the  usages  of  the  most  civilized 
nations.  To  do  so  has  been  amply  in  my  power.  The  tide  of 
foitune  has  changed   in  our  favour,  and    an  extensive  and  fiou- 

Nor  ha\e  instruments  of 
who  sued  to  us  for 
mercy  would  gladly  have  shown  their  claims  to  it,  bv  re-acting 
upon  Thames  the  bloodtj  scene<>  of  Sandusky  and  Cold  creek.  A 
single  sign  of  approbation  would  have  been  sufficient  to  pour  upon 
the  isuhjects  of  the  king  their  whole  fury.  The  future  conduct  of 
the  Kritish  ofiicers  will  determine  the  correctness  of  mine  in  with- 
holding it.  If  the  savages  should  be  again  let  loose  upon  our  set- 
tlements, 1  shall  with  justice  bi.  accused  of  having  sacrificed  the 
interests  and  honour  of  my  country,  and  the  lives  of  our  fellow- 
citi'/.ens  to  feelings  of  false  and  mistaken  humanity.  You  are 
a  soldier,  sir,  and  as  I  sincerely  believe,  possess  all  the  honourable 
sentiments  which  ought  always  to  be  found  in  men  who  follow 
the  profession  of  arms.  Use  then,  1  pray  you,  your  authori- 
ty and  intluence  to  stop  tliat  dreadful  eH'uston  of  innocent  blood, 
which  proceeds  from  the  efiinloyment  of  those  savage  monsters, 
whose  aid  (as  must  now  he  discovered)  is  so  little  to  be  depended 
upon  when  it  is  most  wanted,  and  which  can  have  so  trifling  an 
enect  upon  the  issue  of  the  war.  The  effect  of  their  barbarities 
will  not  be  confined  to  the  present  generation.  Ages  yet  to 
come  will  feel  the  deep  rooted  hatred  and  eumity  wiiich  they 
roust  produce  between  the  two  nations. 

1  deprecate  most  sincerely  the  dreadful  alternative  which  will  be 
offerei<  to  me  should  they  be  continued  ;  but  I  solemnly  declare, 
that  if  the  Indians  that  remain  under  the  influence  of  the  British 
government,  aresuftered  tocommitany  depredations  upon^the  citi 
y.cns  within  the  district  that  is  committed  to  my  protection,  I  will 
remove  the  restrictions  which  have  hitherto  been  imposed  upon 
tiiose  who  have  oftercd  their  services  to  the  United  States,  and  di- 
rect them  to  can  y  on  the  war  in  their  own  way.  1  have  never  heard 
a  single  excuse  Vor  the  employment  of  tlie  savages  by  your  guv- 


I  will  be 

leclare, 

iritish 

lie  citi 

Iwill 

upon 

bd  (li- 

heard 

ir  goY- 


255 

ernment,  unless  we  can  credit  the  story  of  some  British  ollicer  hav- 
ing dared  to  assert,  that  "  as  we  employed  the  ICentuckinnSt  you  had 
a  right  to  make  use  of  the  /mftaws."  If  such  injurious  sentiments 
have  really  prevailed,  to  the  prejudice  of  a  brave,  well-informed, 
and  virtuous  people,  it  will  be  removed  by  the  representations  of 
your  officers  who  were  lately  taken  on  the  river  I'hames.  They 
will  inform  you,  sir,  that  so  far  from  offering  any  violence  to  the 
persons  of  their  prisoners,  these  savages  would  not  permit  a  word 
to  escape  them  which  was  calculateato  wound  or  insult  their  feel- 
ings, and  thin  too,  with  the  sufferinp;s  of  their  friends  and  lelatives, 
at  the  river  Raisin  and  Miami,  fresh  upon  their  recollection.  I 
pledge  myself  for  the  truth  of  the  above  statements  in  relation  tp 
the  murders  committed  by  the  Indians. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
WILLIAM  H.  HARRISON. 
Major  general  Vincent, 


VICTORY  OVER  THE  CREEKS. 

CAMP  AT  TEN  ISLiVNDS,  Novembef  iUi,  1813. 

SIR. 

I  had  the  honour,  yesterday,  pf  transmitting  you  a  short 
account  of  an  engagen^ent  that  took  place  between  a  detachment 
of  about  900  men  from  my  brigade,  with  the  enemy  at  1  allus- 
hatches  town  ;  the  particulars  uliereof,  I  beg  herein  to  recite  you. 
Pursuant  to  your  order  of  the  2d,  I  detailed  from  my  brigade  of 
cavalry  and  numnted  riflemen,  900  men  and  officers,  and  proceed- 
ing directly  to  the  I'allushatches  towns,  crossed  Coosy  river  at 
the  Fish  Dam  ford,  three  or  four  miles  above  this  place.  I  ar- 
rived within  one  and  a  half  miles  of  the  town  Mistant  from  this 
plai  e  south-east,  eight  miles)  on  the  morning  ot  the  3d,  ^t  which 
place  Ldi\ided  my  detachment  into  two  columns,  the  right  com- 
posed of  the  cavalry  commanded  by  colonel  Allcorn,  to  cross  over 
a  large  creek  that  lay  between  us  and  the  tow  ns :  the  left  column 
was  of  the  mounted  riflemen,  under  the  command  of  colonel 
Cannon,  with  whom  I  marched  myself.  Colonel  Allcorn  was  or- 
dered to  march  up  on  the  riptit,  aiul  encircle  one  half  of  the  to^•nj 
and  at  the  same  lime  the  Icit  uenltl  form  a  half  circle  on  the  Uft, 
and  unite  the  head  of  the  tolumns  in  front  of  the  town:  all  of 
which  was  performed  as  I  could  wish.  When  i  arrived  within 
half  a  mile  of  the  town,  the  drums  of  the  enemy  began  to  beat, 
mingled  with  their  »avage  yell^,  jTeparine;  for  action.  It  was  after 
8un-rise  an  hoar,  when  ihe  action  was  bs  oujrht  on  l»y  captaiit  Ham- 
mond and  lieutenant  l^ttterson's  companies,  who  I. ad  gone  on 
within  the  circle  of  alignment,  for  the  purpose  of  lirawingou^  the 
enemy  from  their  buildings,  which  had  the  most  happy  cfVect. 
As  soon  an  ca;  tain  Hantnond  exhibited  lis  fru!;t  in  \iew  of  the 
town,  (^\hich  sit'od  in  o|,en  wootllMid)  :in(i  gave  a  few  scuttoung 
shot,  the  enemy  formed  and  made  a  violent  charge  on  him ;  he 


sisa 


>    'H 


1^^ 


r 


i?'" 


}    ii  <  A 


t  i    I 


gave  way  as  they  advanced,  until  they  met  eur  right  columt, 
which  gave  them  a  general  fire,  and  then  charged ;  this  changed 
the  direction  of  the  charge  completely ;  the  enemy  retreated'firing, 
until  they  got  around,  and  in  their  buildings,  where  they  made 
all  the  resistance  that  an  overpowered  soldier  could  do ;  they 
fought  as  long  as  one  existed,  but  their  destruction  was  very  soon 
completed ;  our  men  rushed  up  to  the  doors  of  the  houses,  and 
in  a  few  minutes  killed  the  last  warrior  of  them ;  the  enemy 
fought  with  savage  fury,  and  met  death  with  all  its  horrors,  with- 
out shrinking  or  complaining :  not  one  asked  to  be  spared,  but 
fought  as  loug  as  they  could  stand  or  sit.  In  consequence  of  their 
flying  to  their  houses  and  mixing  with  the  families,  our  men,  in 
killing  the  males,  without  intention  killed  and  wounded  a  few  of 
the  squaws  and  children,  which  was  regretted  by  every  oflicer  and 
soldier  of  the  detachment,  but  which  could  not  be  avoided. 

The  number  of  the  enemy  killed,  was  186  that  were  counted, 
and  a  number  of  others  that  were  killed  in  the  weeds  not  found. 
I  think  the  calculation  a  reasonable  one,  to  say  200  of  them  were 
killed,  and  84  prisoners,  of  women  and  children,  were  taken ; 
not  one  of  the  warriors  escaped  to  carry  the  news,  a  circumstance 
unknown  heretofore. 

We  lost  five  men  killed,  and  41  wounded,  none  mortally,  the 
greater  part  slightly,  a  number  with  arrows :  this  appears  to  form 
a  very  principal  part  of  the  enemy's  arms  for  warfare,  every  man 
having  a  bow  with  a  bundle  of  arrows,  which  is  used  after  the 
first  fire  with  the  gun,  until  a  leisure  time  for  loading  oilers. 

It  is  with  pleasure  I  say,  that  our  men  acted  with  deliberation 
and  firmness ;  notwithstanding  our  numbers  were  superior  to  that 
of  the  enemy,  it  was  a  circumstance  to  us  unknown,  and  from  the 
parade  of  tlie  enemy,  we  had  every  reason  to  suppose  them  our 
equals  in  number:  but  there  appeared  no  visible  traces  of  alarm 
in  any,  but  on  the  contrary,  all  appeared  cool  and  determined, 
and  no  doubt  when  they  face  a  foe  of  their  own,  or  superior  num- 
ber, the}  will  show  the  same  courage  as  on  this  occasion. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
JOHN  COFFEE, 
Brig.  Gen.  of  Cavalry  and  riflemen. 

Major  general  Andrew  Jacktioii. 


r,'  v: 


■& 


# 


SACKEIT'S  HARBOR,  November  6th,  1813. 
SIR. 

As  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  Royal  George,  Prince 
Regent,  and  Duke  of  Gloucester,  have  gone  up  the  lake,  with 
troops  to  reinforce  Fort  George ;  and  as  I  have  to  believe  that 
other  troops  are  waiting  at  Kingston  for  their  return,  destined  for 
the  same  port,  1  have  determined  to  proceed  with  the  force  I 
have  ready,  in  quest  of  the  enemy.  My  present  intention  is,  to 
take  a  position  on  the  Canada  shore,  near  some  small  islands. 


«5r 


■#■ 


r. 
Zemnt. 


|1813. 

•rince 

with 

re  that 

led  for 

force  I 

is,  to 
Llands. 


called  the  "  False  Ducks,"  ix^here  the  enemy  are  obliged  to  pasi(« 
and  wliere  1  will  wait  their  return  to  Kingston.  It  I  should  sue* 
ceed  in  my  enterprise  (which  I  have  but  little  doubt  of)  I  shall 
make  an  attack  U|M>n  Kingston,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  ths 
guns  and  public  stores  at  that  station. 

I  shall  proceed  for  my  station  this  evening,  or  to-morrow 
morning,  with  the  following  vessels,  to  wit :  birig  Oneida,  and 
schooners  Hamilton,  Governor  Tompkins,  Conquest,  Growler,  Ju- 
lia and  Pert ;  mounting  altogether  40  guns,  of  different  calibres, 
and  430  men,  including  marines. 

With  this  force  I  hope  to  give  a  good  account  of  the  enemy, 
although  he  is  more  than  double  our  force  in  guns  and  men.  nts 
consists  of  the  following  vessels,  as  nearly  as  I  can  ascertain,  to 
Svit :  the  ship  Royal  George,  26  guns,  260  men  ;  ship  Earl  Moira, 
18  guns,  200  men ;  Schooners  Prince  Regent,  18  ^ns,  150  men; 
Duke  of  Gloucester,  14  guns,  80  men  ;  Governor  Simcoe,  12  guns, 
70  men ;  Seneca,  4  guns,  40  men ;  making  a  grand  total  of  108 
guns,  and  890  men. 

The  officers  and  men,  under  my  command,  are  all  extremely 
anxious  to  meet  the  enemy.  We  cannot  command  success,  bulb 
we  will  endeavour  to  deserve  it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 

The  Hon.  Paul  Hamilton,  &c. 

PROCLAMATION. 

The  following  proclamation  to  the  inhabitants  of  Canada, 
was  issued  by  general  Wilkinson,  on  his  passage  down  the  St, 
vLawreuce. 

JAMES  WILKINSON, 

Major  genial,  and  commander  in  chief  of  an  expedition  againtt 
the  Canadast  to  the  inhtUiitants  thereof: 

The  army  of  the  United  States,  which  I  have  the  honour  to 
command,  invades  these  provinces  to  conquer,  not  to  destroy ;  ta 
subdue  the  forces  of  his  Britannic  majesty,  not  to  war  against  hia 
unoffending  subjects  ^— those,  therefore,  among  you,  who  remaia 
quiet  at  home,  should  victory  incline  to  the  American  standard, 
snail  be  protected  in  their  persons  and  property.  But  those  who 
are  found  in  arms,  must  necessarily  be  treated  as  avowed  enemies. 

To  menace  is  unjust-— to  seduce  dishonourable— yet  it  is  just 
and  humane  to  place  these  alternatives  before  you. 

Done  at  the  head  quarters  of  the  army  of  the  United 
States,  this  6th  day  of  November,  1813,  near  Ogdens- 
burg,  on  the  river  St.  Lawrence. 

JAMES  WILKINSON. 
By  the  general's  command, 

N.  PINKNfiY,  Major  and  aid-d^-etrnp. 
33 


"1 

'   4 

mf^ 

*    1 

1-:: 

;  1 

■:    ■ 

■ 

I 


hi. 


■  flP' 

IrSAD  QUARTERS  OF  THB  ARMY,  7  MILES  ABOVE  OGDENSBVRfl^ 

November  6th,  1813,  (in  the  evening.) 

SIR, 

I  address  y«u  at  the  special  instance  of  the  Secretary  of 
war,  who,  by  bad  roads,  worse  weather,  and  ill  health,  was  divert- 
ed from  meeting  me  near  this  place,  and  determined  to  tread 
back  his  steps  to  Washington  from  Antwerp  on  the  29th  ultimo. 

I  am  destined  to,  and  determined  on,  the  attack  of  Montreal,  if 
not  prevented  by  some  r  *t  of  God ;  and  to  give  security  to  th 
enterprise,  the  division  under  your  command  must  co-operate 
with  the  corps  under  m>  iin mediate  orders.  The  point  of  ren- 
dezvous is  the  circumeiance  of  greatest  interest  to  the  issue  of 
this  operation,  and  the  distance  which  separates  us,  and  my  ig- 
norance of  the  practicability  of  the  direct  or  devious  roads  or 
routes  by  which  vou  must  march,  maken  it  necessary  that  your  own 
judgment  should  determine  the  point.  To  assist  you  in  forming 
the  soundest  determination,  and  to  take  the  most  prompt  and 
effectual  measures,  [  can  only  inform  you  of  my  intentions  and 
situation  in  one  or  two  respects  of  first  importance.  I  shall  pass 
Prescott  to  night,  because  the  stage  of  the  season  will  not  allow 
me  three  days  to  take  it;  shall  cross  the  cavalry  at  Hamilton, 
which  will  not  require  a  day  ;  I  shall  then  press  forward  and 
break  down  every  obstruction  to  the  confluence  of  this  river  with 
Grand  river,  there  to  cross  to  the  Isle  Perrot,  and  with  m/  scovtrg 
to  bridge  the  narrow  inner  channel,  and  thus  obtain  foothold  on 
Montreal  Island,  at  about  20  miles  from  the  city :  after  which  our 
artillery,  bayonets,  and  swords,  must  secure  our  triumph,  or  provide 
us  honourable  graves. 

Inclosed  you  have  a  memorandum  of  field  and  Mattering  train 
pretty  well  found  in  mixed  ammunition,  which  muj  enable  vou  to 
aisiniss  your  own  ;  but  we  are  deficient  in  loose  powder  and  mus- 
ket cartridgi^s,  and  therefore  hope  you  may  be  abundantly  found. 

On  the  subject  of  provisions  1  wish  I  could  give  as  favourable 
information  ;  our  whole  stock  of  bread  may  be  computed  at  about 
fifteen  days,  and  our  meat  at  twenty.  In  speaking  on  this  sub- 
ject to  the  Secretary  of  War,  he  informed  me  ample  magazines 
were  laid  upon  Lake  Chainplain,  and  therefore  f  must  request  of 
you  to  order  forward  two  or  three  months'  supply  by  the  safest 
route  in  a  direction  to  the  proposed  scene  of  action.  J  have 
submitted  the  state  of  our  provisions  to  my  general  officers,  who 
unanimously  agree  that  it  should  not  prevent  the  progress  of  the 
expedition  ;  and  they  also  agree  in  opinion,  that  if  you  are  not  in 
force  to  face  the  enemy,  you  should  meet  us  at  St.  Regis  or  it« 
Ticinity. 

I  shall  expect  to  hear  from,  if  not  see  you,  at  that  place  on  the 
9th  or  10  instant 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JAMES  WILKINSON. 
Ijlajor  General  Hampton. 


2S9 


^W 


SIR, 


NEW  YORK,  November  rth,  1813. 


I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  of  the  re-capture  of'  the 
American  schooner  Sparrow,  of  Baltimore,  from  New-Orleans 
bound  to  this  port,  laJen  with  sugar  and  lead.  On  the  3d  the 
enemy's  ship  Plantagenet,  chased  the  said  vessel  on  shore  near 
Long  Branch,  six  miles  distant  from  where  the  flotilla  is  station- 
ed, and  took  possession  of  her  with  about  100  men.  A  detachment 
from  the  flotilla  marched  against  them,  attacked  them,  drove  them 
from  on  board  the  vessel,  and  took  possession  under  the  fire  of  the 
enemy's  ship  and  barges.  In  the  affair  we  lost  one  man  ;  the 
enemy's  loss  must  have  beeii  considerable,  as  many  have  been 
seen  to  fall.  The  whole  cargo,  together  with  sails,  rigging,  &c. 
have  been  saved,  vessel  bilged. 

I  have  honour  to  be,  &c. 

J.  LEWIS. 
Secretary  of  tlie  Navy. 


w 

'  f- 

■i 

4 

traim 
you  to 
mus- 
found. 
urable 
about 
18  sub- 
azines 
lest  of 
safest 
have 
who 
of  the 
not  in 
or  its 

Ion  the 


ISON. 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  FOUR  CORNERS,  November  8th  1813> 
SIR, 

I  had  the  honour  to  receive,  at  a  late  hour  last  evening,  by 
colonel  King,  your  communication  of  the  6th,  and  was  deeply  im- 
pressed  with  the  sense  of  responsibility  it  imposed,  of  deciding 
uj|>on  the  means  of  our  co-operation.  The  idea  su^;ested  as  the 
opinion  of  your  officers,  ot  effecting  the  junction  at  St.  Regis» 
was  most  pleasing,  as  being  the  most  immediate,  until  I  r'ime  to 
the  disclosure  of  the  amount  of  your  supplies  of  provision* 
Colonel  Atkinson  will  explain  the  reasons  that  would  have  ren- 
dered  it  impossible  for  me  to  have  brought  more  than  each  man 
could  have  carried  on  his  back ;  and  when  I  reflected  that  in 
throwing  myitelf  upon  your  scanty  means,  I  should  be  weakening 
you  in  your  most  vulnerable  point,  I  did  not  hesitate  to  adopt  the 
opinicii,  after  consulting  the  general  and  principal  officers,  that  by 
throwing  myself  back  on  my  main  depot,  when  all  the  means  of 
transportation  had  gone,  and  falling  upon  the  enemy's  flank,  and 
straining  every  effort  to  open  a  communication  from  Plattsburg 
to  Coghnawaga,  or  any  point  you  may  indicate  on  the  St.  Law- 
rence, I  should  more  effectuallV  contnbute  to  your  success,  than 
by  the  junction  at  St  Regis.  The  way  is  in  many  places  block- 
aded and  abatted,  and  the  road  impracticable  for  wheel  carriages 
during  Mrinter,  but  by  the  employment  of  pack  horses,  if  I  am  not 
overpowered,  I  hope  to  be  able  to  prevent  your  starving.  I  have 
ascertained  and  witnessed  the  plan  of  the  enemy  is  to  burn  and 
consume  ever^  thing  in  our  advance.  M  v  troops  and  other  means 
will  be  descnbed  to  you  by  colonel  Atkinson.  Besides  the  raw- 
ness and  sickliness,  they  have  endured  fatigues  eaual  to  a  winter 
campaign,  in  the  late  snows  and  bad  weather,  ana  are  sadly  dis- 
pirited and  f  illen  off*;  but  upon  this  subject,  I  mast  refer  you  to 
colonel  Atkinson. 


sea 


!■■:  I 


1^! 


I,' 


*>,;  ■;■ 


■  i' ii 


fP'« 


li^ 


With  these  means,  wh^t  can  be  accomplished  by  human  exer- 
tion, I  will  attempt.  With  a  mind  devoted  to  the  general  objects 
of  the  campai((n, 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

W.  HAMPTON. 
His  excellency  maj.  gen.  Jame^i  Wilkinson. 


HEAD  QUAUTERS,  BURLINGTON  nri<MiT'\ 

November  10t.1»  1B13. 

SIR, 

Lieutenant  Le  Breton  having  delivt:««dyour  letter  oi  the  3d 
instant*  1  have  directed  captaivt  MerriJt,  of  the  Provincial  dra- 
gons, to  proceed  with  a  fta^  to  fort  Geoj  -iP,  as  the  bearer  of  thii 
Gcknowiedgmentofyour  obl'ging  communication. 

The  account  given  of  the  British  officers,  whom  tii»i  fortune 
of  war  has  lately  |}laced  at;  the  disposal  of  the  Uinted  Statv j,  i^ 
ouch  as  ckunot  fail  i.ftbrding  very  consoling  <  efl*- 1  tions  t^j  thi ' 
army  and  tl)>'!i  anxious  friends. 

Tiuiugh  y  i  luufit  be  sens^ible  there  are  several  points  in  your 
letter,  re8|iecti»i«;  \\\'uh  it  is  wholly  beyond  mv  power  toanord 
you  the  satisfaci'  ..  of  an  ••  explicit  declaration,''  yot,  be  assured, 
sir,  { !?haU  never  loel  the  smallest  degree  of  hesitation  in  joining 
you  in  any  pledge,  that  it  will  ever  be  my  anxious  wish  and  endea- 
vour to  uiieviate  as  much  as  possible  the  fate  of  those  who  may  fall 
into  my  power  bv  the  cliances  of  war. 

Believe  me, bir,  1  deprecate  as  strongly  as  yourself,  the  perpe- 
tration of  acts  i>f  cruelty  committed  under  any  pretext ;  and  shall 
laiitenr  e(|ually  with  yimrself  that  any  state  ot  tnings  isliould  pro- 
duce iheui.  No  efforts  of  mine  will  be  ever  wanting  to  diminish 
the  evils  of  a  state  of  warfare,  as  far  as  may  be  consisitent  with 
the  duties  which  are  due  to  my  king  and  country. 

The  Indians,  when  acting  in  conjunction  with  the  troops  under 
my  cuminand,  have  been  in>ariably  exhorted  to  mercy,  and  have 
ne\  er  been  deaf  to  my  anxious  entreaties  on  this  interesting  subject. 

I  shall  not  fail  to  trausmit  the  original  of  your  letter  to  the 
Lower  Province,  for  the  consideration  of  his  excellency  the  com- 
mander of  the  forces. 

I  feel  particularly  anxious  to  be  made  acquainted  with  your  in- 
atruciious  relati>e  to  the  di^^posal  of  the  gallant  and  truly  un- 
fortunate captain  Barclay,  whose  wounds,  I  lament  to  hear,  are 
such  as  to  preclude  all  hope  of  his  beine  ever  again  able  to  resume 
the  honourable  duties  of  his  station.  Under  these  circumstances 
I  am  induced  to  rely  on  your  liberality  and  generous  interference 
to  obtain  a  release  or  parole,  that  h^  may  be  allowed  the  indul- 
gence of  immediately  proceeding  to  the  Lower  Province. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
JOHN  VINCENT, 
Major  generalf  Britwh  army. 
His  excellency  maj.  general  Harrison 


t61 

By  his  Excellency,         s 

MARTIN  CHITTENDEN,  Esq. 

Governor,  captain  general,  and  commander  in  chief  in  and  over 

the  state  of  Vermont* 

A  PROCLAMATION. 

Wliereas  it  appears,  that  the  third  brigade  of  the  3d 
division  of  militia  oi  this  state,  has  been  ordered  from  our  fron- 
tiers to  the  defence  of  a  neighbouring  state ;  and  whereas  it  further 
appears,  to  the  extreme  i  ep'et  of  the  captain  general,  that  a  part  of 
the  militia  of  said  brigade  have  been  placed  under  the  command, 
aud  at  the  disposal  of,  an  officer  of  the  United  States,  out  of  the 
jurisdiction  or  controul  of  the  executive  of  this  state,  and  have  been 
actually  marched  to  the  defence  of  a  sistei-  state,  fully  compe- 
tent to  all  the  purposes  of  sfelf-defence,  whereby  an  extensive 
section  of  tmr  own  frontier  is  left,  in  a  measure,  unprotected, 
and  the  peaceable,  good  citizens  thereof  are  put  in  great  jeopardy, 
and  exposed  to  the  retaliatory  incursions  and  rava<>;eH  of  an  exas- 
perated enemy ;  and  whereas  disturbances  of  a  very  serious  na- 
ture are  believed  to  exist,  in  consequence  of  a  portion  of  the 
militia  having  been  thus  ordered  out  of  the  state  : 

Therefore— -to  the  end  that  these  great  evils  may  be  provided 
against,  and  as  far  as  may  be,  prevented  for  the  future: 

Be  it  known,  that  such  portion  of  the  militia  of  said  3d  division 
as  may  be  now  doing  duty  in  the  state  of  New  York,  or  elsewhere, 
beyond  the  limits  of  this  state,  both  officers  and  men,  are  hereby 
ordered  and  directed,  by  the  captain  general  and  commander  in 
chief  of  the  militia  of  the  state  of  Vermont,  forthwith  to  return 
to  the  respective  places  of  their  usual  residence,  within  the  terri- 
torial limits  of  said  brigade,  and  there  to  hold  themselves  in  con- 
stant readiness  to  act  in  obedience  to  the  onlers  of  briu;adier 
general  Jacob  Davis,  who  is  appointed,  by  the  legislature  of  this 
itate,  to  the  command  of  said  brigade. 

And  the  said  brigadier  general  Jacob  Davis  is  hereby  ordered 
and  directed,  forthwith,  to  see  that  the  militia  of  his  said  brigade 
be  completely  armed  and  equipped,  as  the  law  directs,  and  held 
in  constant  readiness  to  march  on  the  shortest  notice,  to  the  defence 
of  the  frontiers :  and,  in  case  of  actual  invasion,  without  further 
orders,  to  march  with  hi«>  said  brigade,  to  act,  either  in  co-opera- 
tion with  the  troops  of  the  United  States,  or  separately,  as  cir- 
cumstances may  renuire,  in  repelling  the  enemy  from  our  terri- 
tory, and  in  protecting  the  good  citizens  of  this  state  from  the 
ravages  of  hostile  incursions. 

And  in  case  of  an  event,  so  seriously  to  be  deprecated,  it  is 
hoped  and  expected  that  every  citizen,  without  distinction  of 
party,  will  fly  at  once  to  the  nearest  post  of  danger,  and  that  the 
only  rallying  word  be—**  our  country." 


.'ii .. 


I       " 


m 


11 


!i 

■1 

;  If?*     : 

1: 

''' 

!tl 


I 


m- 


]^elin|^,  as  the  captain  general  doeik,  the  weight  of  responni- 
bility  wliich  rests  upon  him,  with  regard  to  the  constitutional  du- 
ties of  the  militia,  and  the  sacred  rights  of  our  citizens  to  pro- 
tebtion  from  this  great  class  of  the  community,  so  essentially 
necessary  in  al'  free  countries :  at  a  moment  too«  when  they  are  so 
eminently  exposed  to  the  dangers  of  hostile  incursions  and  do- 
rofistic  difficulties,  he  cannot  conscientiously  discharge  the  trust 
reposed  in  him  by  the  voice  of  his  fellow  citizens,  and  by  the 
constitutions  of  this  state  and  the  United  States,  widiout  an  une- 
quivocal declaration,  that,  in  his  opinion,  the  military  strength 
and  resources  of  this  state  must  be  reserved  for  its  own  defence 
and  protection,  ejeclusively ;  excepting  in  cases  provided  for  by 
the  constitution  of  the  United  States ;  and  then,  under  orders 
derived  only  from  the  commander  in  chief. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  Montpelier,  this  10th  day  of  Novem- 
ber, in  the  year  of  our  Lofd  1813,  and  of  the  independence  of 
the  United  States,  the  38th. 

MARTTN  CHITTENDEN. 

By  his  excellency's  command, 

SAMUEL  SWIFT,  Secretary. 


ANSWER 

To  Governor  Chittenden's  Proclamation, 

To  his  Excellency 
MARTIN  CHITTENDEN,  Esq. 

Governor,  Captain  GmieraU  and  commander  in  chief  in  and  over 

the  State  of  Vermont, 

SIR, 

A  most  novel  and  extraordinary  proclamation  from  your  ex- 
cellency, "ordering  and  directing  such  portion  of  the  militia  of 
the  thinl  brigade  in  the  third  division  of  the  militia  of  Vermont, 
now  doing  duty  in  the  state  of  New  York,  both  officers  and  men, 
forthwith  to  return  to  the  respective  places  of  their  usual  resi- 
dence," has  just  been  communicated  to  the  und  -rsigned  officers  of 
said  brigade.  A  measure  so  unexampled,  requires  that  we  should 
state  to  your  excellency,  the  reasons  which  induce  us  absolutely 
and  positively  to  refuse  obedience  to  the  order  contained  in  your 
excellency's  proclamation  With  due  deference  to  your  excel- 
lency's opinion,  we  humbly  conceive,  that  when  we  are  ordered 
into  the  service  of  tiie  United  States,  it  becomes  our  duty,  when 
re(|uired,  to  march  to  the  defence  of  any  section  of  the  union. 
We  are  not  of  that  class  who  believe  that  our  duties,  as  citizens 
or  soldiers,  are  circumscribed  within  ^he  narrow  limits  of  the 
town  or  state  in  which  we  reside ;  but  that  we  are  under  a  para- 


r..v,n 


% 


sad 


mvunt  obligation  to  our  common  country,  to  the  great  confederacy 
of  th<^  states.  IVe  further  conceive,  tnat  while  we  are  in  actual 
service,  your  excellency's  power  over  us,  as  governor  of  the  state 
of  Vermont,  is  suspended. 

If  it  is  true,  as  your  excellency  states,  that  *'  we  are  out  of  the 
jurisdiction  or  controul  of  the  executive  of  Vermont,"  we  would 
ask  from  whence  your  excellency  derives  the  right,  or  presumes 
to  exercise  the  power  of  ordering  us  fo  return  from  the  service 
in  which  we  are  now  engaged?  It  wi  were  {e^a%  ordered  int» 
the  service  of  the  United  States,  your  excellency  must  be  sensi* 
ble  that  you  have  no  authority  to  order  us  out  of  that  service.  If 
we  were  illegally  ordered  into  service,  our  continuance  in  it  it 
cither  voluntary  or  compulsory.  If  voluntary,  it  gives  no  one  a 
right  to  remonstrate  or  complain ;  if  compulsory,  we  can  appeal 
to  the  laws  of  our  country  for  redress  against  those  who  illeplly 
restrain  us  of  our  liberty.  In  either  case,  we  cannot  perceive- 
the  right  your  excellency  has  to  interfere  in  the  business.  View- 
ing the  subject  in  this  light,  we  conceive  it  our  duty  to  declare 
unequivocally  to  your  excellency,  that  we  shall  not  obey  your 
excellency's  order  for  returning;  but  shall  continue  in  the  ser- 
vice of  our  country,  until  we  are  legally  and  honourably  dis- 
charged. An  invitation  or  order  to  desert  the  standard  of  our 
country,  v  ill  never  be  obeyed  by  us,  although  it  proceeds  from 
the  governor  and  captain  general  of  Vermont. 

Perhaps  it  is  proper,  that  we  should  content  ourselves  with 
merely  giving  your  excellency  the  reasons  which  prevail  upon  u§ 
to  disregard  your  proclamation ;  but  we  are  impressed  with  the 
belief,  that  our  duty  to  ourselves,  to  the  soldiers  under  our  coni- 
nand,  and  to  the  public,  requires  that  we  should  expose  to  the 
.  world,  the  motives  which  produced,  and  the  objects  which  were 
intended  to  be  accomplished  by  such  an  extraordinary  proclama- 
tion. We  shall  take  the  litferty  to  state  to  your  excellency 
plainly,  our  sentiments  on  this  subject.  We  consider  your  [>ro- 
clamation  as  a  gross  insult  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  in  service,' 
inasmuch  as  it  implies  that  they  are  so  ignorant  of  their  rights,  aa 
to  believe  you  have  authority  to  command  them  in  their  present 
situation,  or  so  abandoned  as  to  follow  your  insidious  advice.  We 
cannot  regard  your  proclamation  in  any  other  light,  than  as  an 
unwarrantable  stretch  of  executive  authority,  issued  from  the 
worst  of  motives,  to  effect  the  basest  purposes.  It  is,  in  our 
opinion,  a  renewed  instance  of  that  spirit  of  disorganization  and 
anarchy  which  is  carried  on  by  a  faction,  to  overwhelm  our  coun- 
try witn  ruii)  aad  disgrace.  We  cannot  perceive  what  other 
object  ^our  excellency  could  have  in  view,  than  to  embarrass  the 
operations  of  the  army,  to  excite  mutiny  and  sedition  among  the 
soldiers,  and  to  induce  them  to  desert,  that  they  might  forfeit  the 
wa^es  to  which  they  are  entitled  fur  their  patriotic  services. 

We  have,  however,  the  satisfaction  to  inform  vour  excellency, 
that  although  your  proclamations  have  been  distriouted  among  tlie 


i 


'1^ 


1 


I.  L      ■■.    .    "'  '     'i 


i: 


If  i  n 


%t 


^04 


** 


soldiers,  by  your  Agent  delcgafetl  for  that  purpose,  they  have  fail- 
cd  to  produce  the  inteuded  effect— and  although  it  may  appear 
incredible  to  your  excellency,  even  soldiers  have  discernnient 
sufficient  to  perceive,  that  the  proclamation  of  a  governor,  when 
issued  out 01  the  line  of  hin  duty,  is  a  I  armleHH,  inuttensive  and 
nugatory  document— they  regard  it  with  mingled  emotions  of 

Eity  and  contempt  for  its  author,  and  as  a  striking  monument  of 
is  folly. 
Before  we  conclude,  we  feel  ourselves,  injustice  tjo  yoUr  excel- 
lency, bound  to  declare,  that  a  knowledge  of  your  excellency's 
character  induces  \i»  to  believe,  that  the  folly  and  infamy  of  the 
proclamation  to  which  your  excellency  has  put  your  sijt;naiure, 
IS  not  wholly  to  be  ascribed  to  your  excellency,  but  chiefly  to  the 
evil  adviser's,  witli  whom  we  believe  your  excellency  is  unhappily 
encompassed. 

',Ve  are,  with  due  respect,  ficc. 

Luther  Dixon,  lieutenant  colonel  i  Elijah  Dee,  junr.  major } 
Josiah  Grout,  mnmr  ;  Clmrles  Bennet,  captain  ;  Jesse  Post,  cap' 
tain;  Elijah  W.Wood,  captain;  Elijah  Birge,  captain  f  Martm 
D.  FoUet,  captain  f  Amasa  Mansftelu,  captain  ;  T.  H.  Campbell, 
lieutenant ;  G.  O.  Dixon,  lieutenant ;  Francis  Northway,  /wwie- 
narif  i  Joshua  Bi'ish,  Lieatennnt ;  Danie)  Dodge,  ^n«i^n ;  Sand- 
ford  Gadconib,  ca^y^ntu  ;  James  FuUington,  quarter  mastei' ;  8hep« 
herd  Beuls,  lieutenant ;  John  Fasset,  sur>!:e(m  ;  Seth  Clark,  junr. 
surgeon'' a  mate  $  T!  omas  Waterman,  captain}  Benjamin  FoUet, 
lieutenant i  Hira  Hill,  surgeon^s  mate. 


CAMP  STROTHER,  NEAR  TEN  ISLANDS  OF  COOSA, 

Noventber  llUi,  1813. 

SIR, 

I  am  just  returned  from  an  excursion  which  I  took  a  few 
days  ago,  and  hasten  to  acquaint  you  with  the  result. 

If^te  on  the  evening  of  the  7th  instant,  a  runner  arrived  from 
the  friendly  party,  in  La»hley*s  fort,  (Talledega)  distant  about 
30  miles  below  us,  with  the  information  that  the  hostile  Creeks, 
in  great  force,  had  encamped  near  the  place,  and  were  preparing 
to  destroy  it ;  and  earnestly  entreated  that  i  would  lose  no  time 
in  affording  them  relief.  Urged  by  their  situation,  as  well  as  by 
a  \\ish  to  meet  the  enemy  so  soon  as  an  opportunity  would  offer,  I 
vdetermined  upon  commencing  my  march  thither  with  allmydis-' 
pns.ible  force  in  the  course  of  the  night ;  and  immediately  des- 
patched an  express  to  general  ^Vhitc,  advising  him  of  my  intend- 
ed movement,  and  ur^ed  him  to  hasten  to  wis  encampment  by 
a  forced  march,  in  order  to  protect  it  in  my  absence.  1  had  re- 
peatedly written  the  general  to  form  a  junction  with  roe  as  speedily 
as  practicable,  and  a  few  days  before  had  received  his  assurance, 
that  on  the  7''.  he  would  jom  me.    I  commenced  crossing  the 


e  fail- 
ippoar 
nnient 
,  Avheii 
ve  and 
ions  of 
\ent  of 

excel- 
lency's 
r  of  the 
nalure, 
T  to  the 
liappiljr 


major  ; 

»9t,  Cflp- 

Martm 
inipbelU 
,  tteuU- 
i  Sand- 
•  ,•  Shep- 
rk,  junr. 
1  Fullet. 


* 


965 


pSA, 


Ik  a  few 

led  from 
It  about 
Creeks, 

reparing 
no  time 

kll  as  by 
I  offer,! 
my  dis-* 

[ely  des- 
intend- 

|ment  by 

had  re- 

^eedily 

jurance, 

[sing  the 


river  at  the  Ten  Inlands,  leaving  behind  me  my  bagi;age  wa||oni 
and  whatever  might  retard  my  progress  {  and  encamped  that  night 
within  six  miles  of  the  fort  I  nad  set  out  to  relieve.  At  midnisht 
I  had  received,  by  an  Indian  runner,  a  letter  from  general  White, 
informing  me  that  he  had  received  my  order,  but  that  he  had 
altered  his  course,  and  was  on  his  march  backwards  to  join  major 
general  Cocke,  near  the  mouth  of  Chatu^a.  I  will  not  now  re- 
mark upon  the  strangeness  of  this  manouvre ;  but  it  was  now  too 
late  to  change  mv  plan,  or  make  any  new  anrangements  i  and 
between  3  and  4  o'clock,  I  re-commenced  my  maroi  to  meet  the 
enemy,  who  were  encamped  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  fort. 
At  sun*rise  we  came  within  half  ainile  of  them,  and  having^  formed 
my  men,  1  moved  on  in  battle  order.  The  infantry  were  in  three 
lines — the  militia  on  the  left,  and  the  volunteers  on  the  right.  The 
cavalry  formed  the  two  extreme  wings,  and  Mere  ordered  to  ad- 
vance in  a  curve,  keeping  their  rear  connected  with  the  advance 
of  their  infantry  lines,  and  enclose  the  enemy  in  a  circle.  The 
advanced  guard  whom  I  sent  forward  to  bring  on  the  engagement, 
met  the  attack  of  the  enemy  with  great  intrepidity ;  and  having 
poured  upon  them  four  or  five  very  galling  rounds,  fell  back  as  they 
had  been  previously  ordered,  to  tne  main  army.  The  enemr  pur- 
sued, and  the  front  line  was  now  ordered  to  advance  and  meet 
him ;  but  owing  to  some  misunderstanding,  a  few  companies  of 
militia,  who  composed  a  part  of  it,  commenced  a  retreat.  At 
this  moment  a  corps  of  cavalry,  commanded  by  lieutenant  colonel 
Dyer,  which  I  had  kept  as  a  reserve,  was  ordered  to  dismount, 
and  fill  up  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  retreat.  This  order 
was  executed  with  a  great  deal  of  promptitude  and  effect.  The 
militia,  seeing  this,  speedily  rallied  ;  and  the  fire  became  general 
along  the  front  line,  and  on  that  part  of  the  wings  which  was  con- 
tiguous. The  enemy,  unable  to  stand  it,  began  to  retreat;  but 
were  met  at  every  turn,  and  repulsed  in  every  direction.  The 
ri^ht  win^  chased  them  with  a  most  destructive  iire  to  the  moun- 
tains, a  distance  of  about  three  miles— and  had  I  nut  been  com- 
Selled  by  the/attXjpiw  of  the  militia  in  the  outset  of  the  battle,  to 
ismount  my  reserve,  I  believe  not  a  man  of  them  would  have 
escaped.  The  victory  however  was  very  decisive — vir^O  of  the 
enemy  were  left  dead— and  there  can  be  no  doubt  br«t  msbj  more 
were  killed  who  were  not  found.  Wherever  they  rau  tVi*'y  left  be- 
hind them  traces  of  blood  ;  and  it  is  believed  tiiat  very  few  will 
return  to  their  villages  in  as  sound  a  condition  as  they  left  them* 
I  was  compelled  to  return  to  this  place  to  protect  tlie  sick  and' 
wounded,  and  get  my  baggage  on.  * 

In  the  engagement  we  lost  15  killed  and  85  wounded— 2  of  thenti 
have  since  died.  All  the  officers  acted  with  the  utmost  bravery, 
and  so  did  all  the  privates  except  that  part  of  the  militia  who  re- 
treated at  the  commencement  of  the  battle-~and  they  hastened 
to  attone  for  their  error.    Taking  the  whole  together,  they  have 

34 


269 


i! 


li' 


:f 

II    ■ 

;|' 

-  ^1 

I. 


1 :;.::: 

1       -:•• 

realiEed  the  hich  (ftpectations  I  had  formed  of  them,  am)  '>»  >e 
fairlj  entitled  uifemselves  to  the  gratitude  of  their  country. 

ANDREW  JACKSON* 

liif  ezocUency  Willie  Blount,  Nashville. 


SIR. 


CAMP,  NEAR  CORNWALL.  November  12th,  ISIS* 

I  have  the  honour  to  report  to  you.  that  yeaterday,  while  the 
rear  division  of  the  army,  consisting  of  detachments  from  the  1st. 
Sd,  and  4th  brigades,  and  placed  under  my  command  to  protect 
the  flotilla  from  the  enemy,  that  hung  on  our  rear,  was  under  arms 
in  order  to  move,  agreeably  to  your  orders,  down  the  bank  of  the 
St.  Lawrienre,  a  report  was  brought  to  me  from  the  rear  guard, 
that  a  body  of  about  200  British  and  Indians  had  advanced  int« 
the  woods  that  skirted  our  rear.  Oeneral  Swartwout.  with  the 
4th  brigade,  was  immediately  ordered  to  dislodge  them ;  general 
Covington,  with  the  3d  brigade,  at  the  same  time,  directed  to  be 
within  supporting  distance.  Oeneral  Swartwout  dashed  into  the 
woods,  and  with  the  21st  infantry,  (a  part  of  his  brigade)  after  a 
short  skirmish,  drove  them  back  to  tlie  position  of  their  main  body. 
Here  he  was  joined  by  general  Covington.  The  enemy  had  juin- 
ciously  chosen  his  ground  among  the  ravines,  which  every  where 
intersected  the  extensive  plain,  and  discharged  a  heavy  and 
galling  fire  upon  our  advanced  columns.  No  opposition  or  obsta- 
cle, however,  checked  their  ardour.  The  enemy  retired  for  more 
than  a  mil<;  before  their  resolute  and  repeated  charges.  During 
this  time,  the  detachment  of  the  1st  brigaile  under  colonel  Coles, 
whose  greater  distance  from  the  scene  of  action  retarded  itsr  arri- 
val, rapidly  entered  the  field.  Being'directed  to  attack  the  ene- 
my's left  flank,  this  movement  was  promptly  and  bravely  executed 
amid  a  shower  of  musketry  and  shrapnell  shells.  The  fight  now 
became  more  stationary,  until  the  brigade  first  engaged,  having 
expended  all  their  ammunition,  were  directed  to  retire  to  a  more 
defensible  position  (o  wait  for  a  re-supply.  This  movement  so 
disconnected  the  line  as  to  render  it  expedient  for  the  first  brigade 
likewise  to  retire.  It  should  be  remarked,  that  the  artillery, 
excepting  two  pieces  under  captain  Irvine,  attached  to  the  rear 
division,  which  from  the  nature  of  the  ground,  and  the  circuitous 
route  they  had  to  take,  were  likewise  much  retarded  in  their 
|irrival,  did  not  reach  the  ground  until  the  line,  for  want  of 
amm|pition,  had  already  began  to  fall  back.  When  they  were 
arrangea,  in  doing  which  I  was  assisted  by  the  skill  of  colonel 
Swift,  of  the  engineers,  their  fire  was  sure  and  destructive.  When 
the  artillery  was  finally  directed  to  retire,  having  to  cross  a  deep, 
and  exceptme  in  one  place,  (to  artillery)  impassable  ravine,  ;:.:;' 
piece  was  unfortunately  lost  llie  fall  of  its  gallant  commandt  \, 
Jleutenant  Smith,  and  most    f  his  men,  may  account  fbr  thia 


t67 


tint 


.  Accident.  In  the  death  of  this  young  man,  the  am^  hu  lout  rae 
of  its  most  promising  officers.  , 

The  squadron  of  the  2d  regiment  df  dragoons,  under  mi^of 
Woodford,  was  earl j  on  the  field,  and  much  exposed  to  the  ene- 
my's fire,  but  the  nature  of  the  ground,  and  the  |)osition  of  his 
line,  did  not  admit  of  those  successful!  charges,  whtch  their  disci- 
pline and  ardour,  under  more  favourable  circumstances,  are 
calculated  to  make.  The  reserve,  under  colonel  Upham*  and 
nu^or  Malcolm,  did  not  arrive  from  the  boats  in  time  to  partici- 
pate in  but  a  small  part  of  the  action ;  but  the  activity  and  xeal 
they  displayed  while  engaged,  evinced  the  benefit  that  might  have 
been  derived  from  their  earlier  assistance. 

The  whole  of  the  line  was  now  re-formed  on  the  borders  of 
those  woods  from  which  the  enemy  had  first  been  driven  ;  when, 
ni^t  coming  on  and  the  storm  returning,  and  conceiving  that  the 
object  you  had  in  view,  which  was  to  beat  back  the  enemy  that 
would  retard  our  junction  with  the  main  body  below,  to  have  been 
accomplished,  the  troops  were  directed  to  return  to  the  ground 
near  tne  flotilla ;  which  movement  was  executed  in  good  order* 
and  without  molestation  from  the  enemy. 

I  cannot  close  my  representation  of  this  battle,  without  indulg- 
ing in  a  few  remarks  upon  those  officers,  whose  conduct  wnl 
g^ve  a  character  to  the  conflict  of  this  day.  General  Covington, 
whose  readiness  to  enter  the  field  was  an  earnest  of  his  subse- 
quent activity,  received  a  mortal  wound,  while  leading  his  men 
on  to  a  successful  charge.  His  troops  still  feeline  the  effects  of 
his  gallant  example,  continued  to  advance  long  after  their  brave 
commander  had  fallen.  His  fate  will  perpetuate  the  memory  of  the 
plain  which  has  been  crimsoned  by  his  blood.  Colonel  Preston 
was  severely  wounded,  while  nobly  fitting  at  the  head  of  hit 
regiment.  The  universal  sympathy  which  is  excited  by  the  hon- 
ourable misfortune  of  this  amiable  officer,  attests  the  estimation 
which  is  entertained  of  his  talents  as  a  soldier,  and  his  virtues  aa 
Major  Cumming,  with  whose  military  merits  and  exer- 


a  man. 


tions  I  have  long  been  acquainted,  met  with  a  similar  fate  white 
leading  to  a  charge,  and  undiscouraged  by  the  wound  continued 
to  advance,  until  loss  of  blood  obliged  him  to  retire.  Many  pla- 
toon officers  received  disabling  or  slight  wounds  in  the  honour- 
able discharge  of  tlveir  duty,  a  report  of  whose  names  and  merits 
I  have  directed  the  several  chiefs  of  brigades  to  make  to  me,  in 
order  that  I  may  transmit  it  to  you.  It  is  with  great  satisfaction 
I  acknowledge  my  warmest  approbation  of  the  gallantry  and 
zeal  whicli  was  constantly  displayed  throuehout  this  eventful  day» 
by  brigadier  general  Swartwout,  and  colonel  Coles,  who  com- 
manded the  detachment  of  the  1st  brigade. 

After   the  fall  of  eeneral  Covington,  colonel    Pierce,  on 
whom  the  command  of  tiie  3d  brigade  devckved,  conducted  with 

*  Colonel  Upham  was  not  in  this  action.  His  boat  had  shoved  off  and  was 
ten  miles  from  the  scene  of  action  when  the  battle  commenced.  It  wasm^or 
MalcoUn  who  headed  the  reserve  and  decided  the  couftict. 


..-.  t 


/:Tr' 


fl6S 


m 


it:  :fi 


■1;    I   ^ 


his  characterifttie  coolneas  and  valour.  In  speakin,^  af  the  other 
numerous  field  officerg  who  participated  in  this  bai/>,  colonels 
Gaines  and  Ripley,  lieutenant  colonel  Aspinwall,  and  majors 
Morgan,  Grafton  and  Gardner,  their  equal  claim  to  applause  for- 
bids the  invidious  task  of  discrimination,  ^  I  find  a  pleasure  like- 
wise in  acknowledging  the  eminent  service  I  derived  from  the 
experience  and  activitv  of  adjutant  general  colonel  Walback  i 
from  the  assisutnce  of  inspector  general,  colonel  Johnson,  and 
assistant  adjutant  generals,  majors  Beebe  and  Chambers;  the 
I'.tter  was  wounded  in  the  honourable  discharge  of  his  duty.  In 
addition  to  these  acknowledgments,  a  sense  of  justice,  aa 
well  as  personal  friendship,  induces  me  to  express  my  entire  an- 

Srobation  of  the  conduct  of  lieutenant  Henry  Whiting,  my  aid-^ 
e-camp,  who  was  in  this  instance,  as  he  has  been  during  the  whole 
campaign,  my  zealous  and  brave  assistant.  Lieutenant  Worthy 
aid-de-camp  to  major  general  Lewis,  led  by  a  laudable  ambition* 
left  the  flotilla,  ann  volunteered  his  acceptable  services  to  me  on 
the  field. 

Permit  me  now  to  add,  sir,  that  though  the  result  of  this  action 
was  not  so  brilliant  and  decisive  as  I  could  have  wished,  and  the 
first  stages  of  it  seemed  to  promise,  yet  when  it  is  recollected  that 
the  troops  had  long  been  exposed  to  hard  privations  and  fatigues* 
to  inclement  storms  from  wnich  they  could  have  no  shelter ;  that 
the  enemy  were  superior  to  us  in  numbers,  and  greatly  superior 
in  position,  and  supported  by  7  or  8  heavy  gun  boats ;  that  the 
austion  being  unexpected,  was  necessarily  commenced  without 
much  concert ;  that  we  were,  by  unavoidable  circumstances,  long 
deprived  of  our  artillery ;  and  that  the  action  was  warmly  and 
obstinately  contested  for  more  than  three  hours,  during  which 
there  were  but  a  few  short  cessations  of  musketry  and  cannon ; 
when  all  these  circumstances  are  recollected,  peiitaps  this  day 
nay  be  thon^t  to  have  added  some  reputation  to  the  American 
arms.  And  if,  on  this  occasion,  you  Midi  believe  me  to  have 
done  my  duty,  and  accomplished  any  one  of  your  purposes,  I 
shall  be  satisned. 

Allow  me  to  adjoin  my  regret,  which  is  felt  in  common  with  the 
army,  that  the  severity  of  your  indisposition  deprived  us  of  you^ 
presence  on  this  occasion.  The  adiutant  general  has  been  direct- 
ed to  furnish  a  report  of  the  killea,  wounded,  and  the  casualties. 
I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JOHN  'P.  BOYD,  Brig.  Gen,  Comdg, 
fU^w  general  Wilkinson. 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  NEAR  CORNWAII^  (U.  C.) 

November  12th,  1818. 


I  this  day  had  the  honour  tp  receive  your  letter  of  the  8th 
instant,  by  colonel  Atkinson,  and  want  language  to  expnu  my 


m 


869 


U- 


Momrw  for  your  determinaHon  not  to  join  the  divisionunier  your 
$ommand  with  the  troop*  under  my  immediate  orders. 

As  such  resolution  defeats  the  grand  objects  of  the  campaign 
in  this  quarter,  which,  before  the  receipt  of  jour  letter,  were 
thought  to  be  completely  within  our  power,  no  suspicion  beine 
entertained  that  you  would  decline  the  junction  directed,  it  will 
oblige  us  to  take  post  at  French  Mills,  on  Salmon  river,  orintheic 
vicinity,  for  the  winter. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JAMES  WILKINSON. 
Migor  general  Hampton. 


Extract  from  the  general  order  of  general  Wilkinson,  of  JVo* 

vember  13th,  1813. 

"  The  troops  are  to  embark  without  loss  of  time ;  yet  are  not 
to  be  hurried  in  leaving  the  Canadian  shore,  from  whence  the 
commander  in  chief  is  compelled  to  retire  by  the  extraordinary, 
unexampled,  and,  it  appears,  unwarrantable  conduct  of  major 
general  Hampton,  in  refusing  to  join  this  army  with  a  division  of 
4,000  men  under  his  command,  agreeably  to  positive  orders  from 
the  commander  in  chief,  and  as  he  has  been  assured  by  the  Se- 
cretary of  War,  of  explicit  instructions  from  the  war  department. 

*'  Thus  deprived  of  a  large  portion  of  his  promised  lorce,  the 
commander  in  chief  feels  himself  bound  by  a  sensii  of  regard  to 
this  meritorious  corps,  and  of  sacred  duty  to  the  United  States, 
to  spare  the  lives  oi  brave  men,  and  not  to  hazard  the  character 
or  interest  of  the  nation,  by  an  unequal  conflict.  He,  with  lively 
regret  and  the  deepest  mortification,  suspends  the  attack  on  Mon* 
treal.    But  he  assures  the  army  that  it  is  not  abandoned.*' 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  NEWARK,  November  15th,  181S. 

DEAR  SIR. 

Being  ordered  to  return  to  the  westward,  you  will  be  pleased 
to  resume  the  command  which  you  received  previous  to  my  arri- 
val at  this  place 

The  orders  which  you  heretofore  have  received  unll govern  you. 
It  will  be  necessar;)r  that  you  keep  a  vigilant  eye  over  the  dis- 
affected part  of  the  inhabitants,  ana  I  recommend  that  you  make 
use  of  the  zeal,  activity,  and  local  knowledge  which  colonel 
Willcocks  certainly  possesses  to  counteract  the  machinations  of 
our  enemy,  and  ensure  the  confidence  of  our  friends,  amonv  the 
inhabitants.  It  will,  however,  I  am  persuaded,  be  your  wish,  as  it  i» 
your  duty,  to  guard  the  latter  as  much  as  possible  from  oppression. 

The  volunteers  which  were  lately  called  out  will  be  retained 
•as  long  as  you  consider  their  services  necessary ;  the  drafted  mi- 
litia, until  further  orders  are  received  from  the  Secretary  of  War. 


270 


jp^^ 


There  can  be  little  doubt  of  its  being  the  intention  of  the 
enemj  to  send  the  greater  part  of  the  troops,  which  they  have  at 
Burlineton  and  York,  to  Kin&;ston,  and  to  make  York  the, 
right  of  their  line.  Thej  may,  however,  have  a  small  command 
at  Burlington,  and  those  may  be  so  securely  posted  as  to  render 
them  safe  from  any  desultory  expedition  you  may  set  on  foot; 
but  it  is  desirable  to  have  any  supplies  which  they  may  have 
collected  in  the  neighborhood  destroyed  ;  and  should  the  success 
below  be  not  such  as  to  promise  possession  of  the  whole  of  the 
Upper  Province,  may  be  destroyed. 

Captains  Leonard  and  Reed,  or  either  of  them,  are  appointed  to 
muster  your  troops,  when  and  where  you  think  proper. 

In  closing  this  communication,  I  should  not  dfo  justice  to  my 
feelings,  if  I  were  not  to  acknowledge  the  zeal  and  talents  witn 
which  you  have  managed  your  command.  Your  conduct  appean 
to  me  to  have  been  extremely  judicious  and  proper  throughout, 
and  your  troops  exhibit  a  state  of  improvement  and  subordination 
which  is  at  once  honourable  to  your  officers  and  themselves. 

I  am,  &c. 
WILLIAM  H.  HARRISON, 

Brigadier  general  George  Al'dure. 


fpl 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  FRENCH  MILLS,  ADJOINING  THE  PROVINCE 

OF  LOWER  CANADA,  November  16th,  1818, 
SIR, 

I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  journal  which  accompanieH  thit 
letter,  for  the  particulars  of  the  movements  of  the  corps  under 
my  command,  down  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  will  endeavour  to  exert 
my  enfeebled  mind  to  detail  to  you  the  more  striking  and  impor- 
tant incidents  whicli  have  ensued  my  departure  from  Grenadier 
Island,  at  the  foot  of  Lake  Ontario,  on  the  3d  instant. 

The  corps  of  the  enemy  from  Kingston,  which  followed  me, 
hung  on  my  rear,  and  in  concert  with  a  heavy  galley,  and  a  fe.r 
gun-boats,  seemed  determined  to  retard  my  progress.  I  was 
strongly  tempted  to  iialt,  turn  about,  and  put  an  end  to  his 
teasing ;  but,  alas!  I  was  confined  to  my  bed :  major  general  Lewis 
was  too  ill  for  any  active  exertion  ;  and  above  all,  I  did  not  dare 
suffer  myself  to  be  diverted  a  single  day  from  the  prosecution  of 
the  vie  vs  of  government.  I  had  written  major  general  Hampton 
on  the  6th  instant  by  his  adjutant  general  colonel  Ring,  and  had 
ordered  him  to  form  a  junction  with  me  on  the  St.  Lawrence, 
which  I  expected  would  take  place  on  the  9th  or  10th.  It  would 
have  been  unpardonable  had  I  loi«t  sight  of  this  object  a  moment, 
as  I  deemed  it  of  vital  importance  to  the  issue  of  the  campaign. 

The  enemy  desei-vt;  credit  for  their  zeal  and  intelligence,  which 
the  active  universal  hostility  of  the  male  inhabitants  of  the  coun- 
try enable  them  to  employ  to  the  greatest  advantage.    Thus*, 
while  menac*"'  by  a.  respectable  force  in  rear,  the  coast  was  lined 


?^w 


me, 
fev7 
was 

his 


ncd 


bv  musketry  in  front,  at  every  critical  pass  of  the  river,  which 
obliged  me  to  march  a  detachment,  and  this  impeded  my  pro- 
gress. 

On  the  evening  of  the  9th  instant,  the  army  halted  a  few  miles, 
of  the  head  of  the  Lon^ue   Saut.    In  the  morning  of  the  lOth^ 
the  inclosed  order  was  issued.    General  Brown  marched  agree- 
ably to  order,  and  about  noon  we  were  apprized,  by  the  report  of 
his  artillery,  that  he  was  engaged  some  Distance  below  us.    At 
the  same  time  the  enemy  were  observed  in  our  rear,  and  their 
galley  and  gun-boats  approached  our  flotilla,  and  opened  a  fire  on 
us,  which  obliged  me  to  order  a  battery  of  18   pounders  to  be 
planted,  and  a  shot  from  it  compelled  the  vessels  of  the  enemy  to 
retire,  together  with  their  troops,  after  some  firing  between  the 
advanced  parties.    But  by  this   time,  in  consequence  of  disem- 
barking and  re-embarking  the  heavy  guns,  the  day  was  so  far 
spent,  that  our  pilots  did  not  dare  enter  the  Saut,  (8  miles  a  con- 
tinued rapid^  and  therefore  we  fell   down  about  two  miles  and 
came  to  for  tne  night.    Early  the  next  morning  every  thing  was 
in  readin^iss  for  motion  ;  but  having  received  no  intelligence  from 
general  Brown,  I  was  still  delayed,  as  sound  caution  prescribed  I 
should  learn  the  result  of  his  affair,  before  I  committed  the  flotilla 
to  the  Saut.    At  half  past  10  o'clock  A.  M.  an  officer  of  dragoons 
arrived  with  a  letter  in  which  the  general  informed  me  he  had 
forced  the  enemy,  and  would  reach  uie  foot  of  the  Saut  early  in 
tlie  day.    Orders  were  immediately  given  for  the  flotilla  to  sail, 
at  which  instant  the  eqeiny's  gun-boats  appeared,  and  began  to 
throw  shot  among  us.    Information  was  brought  me  at  the  same 
time,  from  brigadier  general  Boyd,  that  the  enemy's  troops  were 
advancing  in  column.    I  immediately  sent  orders  to  him  to  attack 
theyir|N:his  report  was  soon  contradicted.    T^icir  gun  boats  how- 
ever continued  to  scratch   us,  and  a  variety  of  reports  of  their 
movements  and  countermovements  were  brought  tu  me  in  succes- 
sion ;  which  convinced  me  of  their  determination  to  hazard  an 
attack,  when  it  could  be  done  to  the  gi'eatest  advantage,  and 
therefore  I  determined  to  anticipate  them.    Directions  were  ac- 
cordingly sent,  by  that  distinguished  ofTir  r  colonel  Swift,  of  the 
engineers,  to  brigadier  general  Boyd,  to  throw  the  detachment  of 
his  command,  assigned  to  him  in  the  order  of  the  preceding  day, 
and  composed  of  men  of  his  own,  Covington's  and  Swartwout'g 
brigades,  into  3  columns,  to  march  upon  the  enemy,  out-flank 
them  if  possible,  and  take  their  artillery.    The  action  soon  after 
commenced  with  the  advanced  body  o\'  the  enemy,  and  became 
extremely  sharp  and  galling,  and,  with  occasios  il  pauses,  was 
sustainedf  v  >th  great  vivacity,  in  open  space  and  fair  comb;ii:,  for 
upwards  of  two  and  a  half  hours ;  the  adverse  lines  alternately 
yielding  and  advancing.     It  is  impossible  to  say  with  accuracy 
what  was  our  number  on  the  field,  because  it  consisted  of  indefi- 
nite detachments  taken  from  the  boats,  to  render  safe  the  passage 
of  the  9aut.  jBrigadier  geincrabi  Covington  and  Swartwout  volun- 


»70 


tarily  took  part  in  the  action,  at  the  head  of  detachments  from  their 
respective  brigades,  and  exhibited  the  same  courage  that  was 
displayed  by  brigadier  general  Boyd,  who  happened  to  be  the 
senior  officer  on  the  ground.  Our  force  engaged  might  have  reach- 
ed 16  or  1 ,700  men,  out  certainly  did  not  exceed  1,800 ;  that  of  the 
enemy  was  estimated  at  from  1,200  to  2,000,  but  did  not  probably 
amount  to  more  than  15  or  1,600,  consisting,  as  I  am  informed,  of 
detachments  from  the  49th,  84th,  and  104tn  regiments  of  the  line, 
with  three  companies  of  the  Voltigeur  and  OTengary  cforps,  and 
the  militia  of  the  country,  who  are  not  included  in  the  estimate. 

li  would  be  presumptuous  in  me  to  attempt  to  give  you  a  detail- 
ed account  of  this  affair,  which  certainly  reflects  high  honour  on 
the  valour  of  the  American  soldier,  as  no  example  can  be  produced 
of  undisciplined  men,  with  inexperienced  officers,  braving  a  fire 
of  two  hours  and  a  half,  without  quitting  the  field  or  yielding  to 
their  antagonists.  But,  sir,  the  information  I  now  give  you  is 
derived  from  officers  of  my  confidence,  who  took  active  parts  in 
this  conflict;  for  though  [  was  enabled  to  order  the  attack,  it  was 
my  hard  fortune  not  to  be  able  to  lead  the  troops  I  commanded. 
The  disease  with  which  1  was  assailed  on  the  2d  of  September, 
on  my  journey  to  Fort  George,  having,  with  a  few  short  intervals 
of  convalescence,  preyed  on  me  ever  since,  and  at  the  moment  of 
this  action  I  was  confined  to  my  bed  and  emaciated  almost  to  a 
skeleton,  unable  to  sit  on  my  horse,  or  to  move  ten  paces  without 
assistance. 

I  must,  however,  be  pardoned  for  tresp<"<*8ing  on  your  time  a 
few  remarks  in  relation  to  the  affair.  The  objects  of^the  British 
and  American  commanders  were  precisely  opposed ;  the  last  being 
bound,  by  the  instructions  of  his  ^vemment  and  most  ^i^mn 
obligations  of  duty,  to  precipitate  his  descerit  of  the  St.  Lawrcttce 
by  every  practicable  means ;  because  this  being  effected,  one  of  the 
greatest  aifficulties  opposed  to  the  American  army  would  be  sur- 
mounted; and  the  first,  by  duties  equally  imperious,  to  retard, 
and,  if  possible,  prevent  such  descent.  He  is  to  be  accounted 
victorious  who  enected  his  purpose !  The  British  commander 
having  failed  to  gain  either  or  his  objects,  can  lay  no  claim  to  the 
honours  of  the  day.  The  battle  fluctuated,  and  triumph  seemed, 
at  different  times,  inclined  to  the  contending  corps.  The  front 
of  the  enemy  was  at  first  forced  back  more  than  a  mile,  and, 
though  tiiey  never  regained  the  ground  thus  lost,  their  stand  waa 
permanent,  and  their  charges  resolute.  Amidst  these  charges,  and 
near  the  close. of  .i.e  contest,  we  lost  a  field  piece  by  ^he  fall  of 
the  officer  who  was  serving  it  with  the  same  coolness  as  if  h» 
had  been  at  a  parade  of  review.  This  was  lieutenant  8  ma;,  of  the 
light  artillery,  who  in  point  of  merit  stood  at  the  head  of  his  grade. 
The  enemy  having  halted,  and  our  troops  being  again  formed  in 
battalion,  front  U*  front,  and  the  firing  ceased  on  Doth  sides,  we 
resumed  our  position  on  the  bank  uf  the  river,  and  the  infantry 
being  much  latigued,  the  whole  were  re-embarked,  and  proceeo- 


eA  ^own  the  nver  witKoiiC  fiirtli^r  annoyance  from  tlie  etietny  oiP 
their  gun-boats,  while  the  dragoons,  with  five  pieces  of  artilferyi 
marcheffdown  the  Canada  shore  without  molestation. 

It  is  liue  to  his  rank,  to  liis  worth,  and  his  services,  that  I 
should  make  particular  mention  of  brigadier  general  C^ovington, 
who  received  a  mortal  wound  directly  through  the  body,  while 
animating  his  men  and  leading  them  to  the  charge.  He  fell, 
where  he  fought,  at  the  head  of  his  m^n,  and  survived  but  two  days. 

The  next  morning  the  flotilla  passed  through  the  Saut,  and 
joined  that  excellent  officer,  brigadier  general  Brown,  at  Bard- 
hart's,  near  Cornwall,  where  he  had  been  instructed  to  take  post 
and  wait  .ny  arrival,  and  where  I  confidently  expected  to  hear  of 
major  general  Ilaiopton's  arrival  on  the  opposite  shore.  But 
immediately  after  I  halted,  colonel  Atkii.  on,  the  inspector  gene- 
ral of  the  division  under  major  general  Hampton,  waited  on  me 
with  a  letter  from  that  officer,  in  which,  to  my  unspeakable  morti- 
fication an<  surprise,  he  declined  the  junction  ordered,  and  in- 
formed me  he  was  marching  towards  lake  Champlain,  by  way  of 
co-operating  in  the  proposed  attack  on  Montreal.  This  letter, 
together  with  a  copy  of  that  to  which  it  is  an  answer,  were  imme  • 
diately  submitted  to  a  council  of  war,  composed  of  my  general 
officers  anil  the  colonel  commanding  the  elite,  the  chief  engineer 
and  the  adjutant  general,  who  unanimouslv  gave  it  as  their  opin- 
ion, that  "  the  attack  on  Montreal  shouldf  be  abandoned  for  the 
present  season,  and  the  army  near  Cornwall  should  be  immediately 
crossed  to  the  American  shore  for  taking  up  winter  quarters,  and 
that  this  place  affi)ixled  an  eligible  position  for  such  quarters.^' 

I  acquiesced  in  these  opinions,  not  from  the  shortness  of  the 
stock  of  provisions,  (which  had  been  reduced  by  the  acts  of  God) 
because  that  of  our  meat  had  been  increased  5  days,  and  our 
^•read  had  been  reduced  only  two  days,  and  because  we  could,  in 
case  of  extremity,  had  lived  on  the  enemy ;  but  because  the  loss  of 
the  division  under  major  general  Hampton,  weakened  my  force  too 
iii''n8ibly  to  justify  the  attempt,  tn  all  my  measures  and  move- 
ments of  moment,  I  have  taken  the  opinions  of  my  general  officers* 
which  have  been  in  accord  with  my  own. 

I  remained  on  the  Canada  shore  until  the  next  day,  without 
seeing  or  hearing  from  the  "  powerful  force"  of  the  enemy  iu 
our  neighborhood,  and  the  same  day  reached  this  position  witii  the 
artillery  and  infantry.  The  dragoons  have  been  ordered  to  Utica 
and  its  vicinity,  and  I  expect  are  50  or  60  i.iiles  on  the  march. 

You  have  under  cover  a  summary  abstract  of  the  killed  and 
wounded  in  the  affair  of  the  11th  instant,  which  shall  soon  be 
followed  by  a  particular  return,  in  which  a  just  regard  will  be 
paid  to  individual  merits.  The  dead  rest  in  honour,  and  the 
wounded  bled  for  their  country  and  deserve  ite  gr.atitnde. 

I  h&ve  the  honour  t^  be,  &c. 

JAMES  WILKINSON. 
To  the  Secretarv  of  Ww. 

35 


■\   . 


'fi. 


!.;! ' 


»74  # 

Metum  of  the  killtd  and  wounded  of  a  detachment  of  the  army  of 
the  UniP(d  States  descending  the  8t.  Lawrence  river,  under  the 
command  of  major  general  ^imes  WiUci7t8on,in  an  action  fought 
at  Willianuburgh,  in  Upper  Canada,  on  the  llth  of  J^l\iv,  1813. 

Killed— Subalterns,  3 ;  sergeants,  7 ;  corporals,  3 ;  musicians, 
1;  privates,  83 :  Total,  102.  Wounded— Bripadier  general,  1 ; 
assistant  adjutant  general,  1 ;  aid-de-camp,  1 ;  colonel,  1 ;  major,  1 ; 
captains,  5 ;  subalterns,  6 ;  sei^ants,  9 ;  corporals,  13 ;  musicians, 
I  i  privates,  193 :  Total,  237.    Total,  killed  and  wounded,  339. 

Mtmes  of  the  Commissioned  Officers  lulled  and  Wounded, 

Rilled— Liutenant  William  W.  Smith,  of  the  light  artillery ; 
David  Hunter,  12th  infantry ;  Edward  Olmstead,  16th,  ditto. 
Wounded — Brigadier  general  Leonard  Covington,  mortally,  since 
dead ;  major  Talbot  Chambers,  assistant  adjutant  general,  slightly  ; 
major  Darby  Noon,  aid-de-camp  to  brigadier  general  Swartwout, 
slightly ;  colonel  James  P.  Preston,  of  tne  23d/infantry,  severely, 
his  right  thigh  fractured ;  major  William  Cummines,  8tn  regiment, 
severely;  captain  Edmund  Foster,  9th  ditto,  slightly;  captain 
David  S.  Townsend,  do.  do.  severely ;  captain  Mordecai  Myers, 
13th  do.  do.;  captain  John  Campbell,  do.  do.  slightly  ;  captain 
John  P.  Murdock,  25th  do.  do. ;  lieutenant  William  S.  Heaton, 
11th  do,  severely;  lieutenant  John  Williams,  13th  do.  slightly; 
lieutenant  John  Lynch,*  14th  do.  severely ;  lieutenant  Peter  Pel- 
ham,*  21st  do.  do.;  lieutenant  James  D.Brown,  25th  do.  slightly; 
lieutenant  Archibald  E.  Crary,  do.  do.  severely,  in  the  Akiru.\sh 
the  day  before  the  action. 

Aot.  Qsit's.  OmcB,  H.  Q.  Blilitary  district  No.  9,  French  Mills,  Nov.  1813. 

T.  B.  WALBACK,  Mj,  Gen. 

N.  B.  Colonel  Preston  commanded  the  13th  regiment  of  infan- 
irr  during  the  action ;  and  major  Cummings  did  duty  with  the 
16th  regiment  infantry  in  the  action. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  general  Wilkinson,  to  the  Secretary  of 

War,  dated 

« FRENCH  V:.  JLS,  November  17th,  1813. 

*'  After  what  has  passed  between  us,  you  can  periiaps  conceive 
my  Amazement  and  chagrin  at  the  conduct  of  major  general  Hamp- 
ton. The  game  was  in  view,  and,  had  he  performed  tlie  junction 
directed,  would  have  been  ours  in  eight  or  ten  days.  But  he 
chose  to  reced«k  in  order  to  co-operate,  and  my  dawning  hopes, 
and  the  hopes  and  honour  of  the  army  were  blasted.'* 

*  Taken  priaoners. 


iiii 


S76 


181J. 

)nceive 

|Hamp- 

inction 

But  he 

hopes, 


To 


COLONEL  PURDY»S  REPORT 

major  general  Wilkinsont  of  ^  action  at  Chataugayt  S^c 
transmitted  by  the  general  to  the  Secretary  of  W^r, 

I  arrived  at  Cumberland    head  September   16th,  1813,  and 
on  the  18th  took  command  of  die  4th  regiment  of  infantry,  sta- 
tioned at  that  place.    The  army,  consisting  of  about  4000  men^ 
vras  composed  principrtUy  of  recruits  who  nad  been  but  a  short 
time  in  the  service,  and   had  not  been  exercised  with  that  rigid 
discipline  so  essentially  necessary  to  constitute  the  soldier.  The^ 
had  indeed  been  taught  v^^rious  evolutions,  but  a  spirit  of  subordi- 
nation was  foreigii  to  thelk*  views.    On  the  19th,  orders  issued  for  the 
whole  army,  except  a  squadron  of  horse  and  the  artillery  embarked* 
in  batteaux.    The  army  got  under  weigh,  preceded  by  the  light 
corps,  and  flanked  on  the  right  by  the  navy,  and  arrived  at  Chesy 
at  12  o^clock  at  night,   lay  on  their  arms,  embarked  again  soon 
after  sun-rise  the  next  morning,  proceeded  down  the  lake  as  far 
as  Champlain.andtip  Champlain  river  the  distance  of  four  miles, 
where  we  landed,  .^nd  immediately  marched  to  Odletown.    The 
light  corps  who  preceded  the  other  troops  some  hours,  surprised 
and  defeated  a  ^ard  of  the  enemy  at  that  place.    We  remained 
at  Odletown  until  the  middle  of  the  next  day,  during  which  time 
a  want  of  system  in  the  management  of  the  army  was  readily  dis- 
covered by  every  military  man,  that  led  to  apprehensions  for  the 
safety  of  the  troops,  should  the  enemy  oppose  with  any  consider- 
able force.    The  army  returned  to  Champlain  on  the  21st,  tlie  22d 
to  Chesy,  and  the  day  following  commenced  the  route  to  Chatau- 
gay.    The  whole  of  this  march,  a  distance  of  more  than  70  miles, 
was  very  disagreeable :  the  officers  were  not  permitted  to  take 
with   them  tlie  necessaries,  much  less  the  conveniences  of  life, 
and  were  compelled  to  abandon  clothine  and  other  things  essen- 
tially necessary  to  preserve  the  body  in  nealth.    We  forbore  com- 
plaint, endurinc  every  privation,  presuming  the  commandii^ 
officer  had  suftcient  reasons  for  his  conduct,  and  concluding  it 
was  pro  bono  publico.    The  scene  has  passed,  and  time  sufficient 
has  elapsed  to  have  discovered  those  reasons,  had  they  existed. 
None  have  been  found :  on  the  contrary,  circumstances  have  demon- 
strated that  it  was  a  useless  and  unnecessary  sacrifice  of  both  pub- 
lic and  private  property.    The  army  remained  at  Chatauj^y  26 
days,  and  on  the   21  st  October  commenced  an  excursion  into  the 
enemy's  country.    The  firat  brieade  followed  the  course  of  the 
Chataugay  river  to  Spear's,  the  distance  of  18  miles  and  upwards, 
and  there  met  the  second  brigade,  which  had  taken  a  nearer  and 
more  convenient  route.    The  march  was  very  fatiguing,  equalled 
only  by  another  that  soon  followed.   Credit  is  due  to  both  the  officers 
and  soldiers  for  their  orderly  conduct,  patience  and  perseverance, 
in  surmounting  the  incredible  obstacles  the  enemy  threw  in  their 
way.    Oa  the  25th,  a  difficult  fatiguing  expedition!  was  planned, 
and  the  execution  of  it  assigned  to  the  lirst  brigade,  which  had 


ill 

in 


u 


b  t^i 


m 


!     f 


?7?  i 

for  sume  time  prevjoiis,  and  ttill  remained,  under  my  command. 
The  desis^n  was  io  cut  off  the  retreat  of  a  body  of  the  enemy, 
supposed  to  be  encamped  on  the  banks  of  the  Chatauffay,  6  miles 
distance.  With  this'  intention  the  first  brigade  was  ordered  across 
the  river  at  night,  marched  oilently  down,  and  re-cross  at  a  ford 
t\yo  miles  below  the  enemy,  and  attack  them  in  rear,  giving  a  pre- 
concerted signal,  while  the  second  brigade  moved  down  the  road 
in  front.  We  commen(;ed  the  march  at  sun-down,.and  by  sun-rise 
the  next  morning  had  gained  only  6  miles.  Here  we  were  dis- 
covered by  the  enemy  and  fired  on  from  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river.  During  that  night  we  were  repeateuly  misled  by  the 
g  lides,  who  knew  nothing  of  the  country,  having  never  been  that 
way,  and  at  the  time  we  were  attacked,  thev  had  led  us  into  a 
thick  cedar  growth  or  swamp  on  the  banks  of  the  river  and  imme- 
diately opposite  the  enemy  s  position,,  and  knew  not  how  to  ex- 
tricatie  us.  Incredible  as  it  may  app^'^ar,  general  Hampton  en- 
trusted nearly  one  half  of  his  army,  and  those  his  best  troops,  to 
the  guidance  of  men,  each  of  whom  repeatedly  assured  him  that 
they  were  not  acquainted  witn  the  country^  and  were  not  competent 
to  direct  sudi  an  ejcpedition. 

At  tiie  same  time  eeneral  Hampton  toh!  me  he  had  a  man  by 
the  name  of  Smith,  who  had  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the  country, 
aud  whom  he  promised  to  send  me,  but  which  he  neglected  to  do. 
The  defeat  of  the  expedition  was  the  consequence  of  thii;  neglect 
of  the  m:>jor  general.  About  2 o'clock,  M'hile  receiving  an  order 
&om  colonel  King,  adjutant  general,  upon  the  opposite  side  of 
the  river,  to  march  back  4  miles  and  there  ford  the  river  and 
,j[oin  tlie  second  brigade,  the  enemy  made  a  furious  attack  on  the 
column  hy  a  great  discharge  of  musketry,  accompanied  by  the 
yells  of  the  savages.  Unfortunately,  the  word  "  retreat,"  was 
heard,  which  for  a  short  time  spreaci  confusion  among  the  several 
corps.  A  sufl\cient  number,  nowever,  remainefl  firm,  and  the 
enemy  was  soon  compelled  to  retire.    Towards  sun-down  1  sent 

general  Hampton  a  request,  that  a  re^ment  might  be  ordered 
own  to  cover  my  landme  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  ;  but 
judge  n^y  surprise,  on  receiving  inteUigence  that  he  had  retreated, 
wim  the  second  brigade,  near^  Uiree  miles.  Thus  was  I  deserted 
without  the  sm'JIest  guard  to  cover  my  landing.  To  what  cause 
shall  it  be  attributed,  that  the  general  ordereua  retreat,  and  that 
too  at  the  moment  m  hen  the  presence  of  the  second  brigade  was 
required,  or  could  be  useful,  as  soon  afterwards  he  declared 
"hedwuld  he  willing  to  compound  with  thefrst  brigade  for  500 
m^n."  The  wounded  had  previously  been  conveyed  across  on 
rafts,  which  made  a  removal  of  my  brigade  to  that  side  absolute- 
ly necessary  for  their  protection.  An  attempt  was  accordingly 
made,  and  a  fioating  bridge  soon  constructed  of  old  logs,  found 
on  the  margin  of  the  river.  The  enemy  discovering  our  dispo- 
sition, commenced  firing  from  the  opposite  side,  and  killed  several 
whiie  crossing.    Major  Snelling,  with  about  100  men,  effected  » 


277 


landing,  and  joined  the  main  body.   The  remainder  of  my  force, 
exhausted  by  the  excessive  exertions  of  the  preceding  night,  and 
weary  with  the  fatigues  of  the  day,  not  having  had  a  muiii'ttit 
either  for  rest  or  refreshment,  were  compelled   to  enduie  the 
privation  of  sleep  another  night.     We  retired  two  or  three  iiiiUn 
and  took  a  position.    At  about  12  o'clock  the  enemv  came  up 
and  made  an  attack  upon  us,  but  were  soon  routed.    The  nten  at 
this  time  were  formed  and  lying  on  the  ground  they  Wf  re  to  <tc- 
cupy,  in  case  of  an  attack,  and  were  ordered  to,  and  did,  imuie- 
diately  rise,  seize  their  arms,  and  remain  under  them  the  residue 
of  t]ie  night.    An  excessively  heavy  rain  prevented  t!te  firing  both 
of  the  enemy  and  ourselves,  except  occasionallv  a  single  gun  from 
the  former.    Our  troops  were  ordered  not  to  nre,  bu»  in  case  of  a 
repetition  of  attack  tocnarge  bayonets — this  was  according  y  done. 
The  enemy  charged  several  times,  and  as  often  were  put  to  flight. 
It  is  observable  in  this  place,  that  so  greatly  were  the  men  over- 
powered by  fatigue,  though  in  a  situation  every  way  danj^erous, 
and  in  which  thev  had  every  reason   to  believe  they  should  be 
sallied  upon  by  the  enemy  every  moment,  ntany  were  unable  to 
conquer  their  disposition  to  sleep,  and  it  was  not  in   thp^ power 
of  the  officers  to  keep  them  awake.    It  was  on  the  morning  of 
this  last  attack*,  that  the  general  expyt'ssed  his  apprehensions  for 
the  first  brigade,  and  made  the  declaration  above  quoted.    The 
next  morning  we  crossed  the  river  and  joined  general  Hampton } 
on  the  28th  the  army  retreato'*  *■  miles,  and  on  the  30th  and  Slst 
marched  back  tu  Chataugay.   The  troops  at  the  times  of  tlic  attack 
were  not  in  a  situation  to  endure  further  fatigue — and  it  is  an  in- 
dubitable fact,  that  many  of  them  were  so  debilitated  they  were 
unable  to  proceed  with  the  brigade  on  its  march  from  the  place  of 
its  last  attack,  and  actually  did  not  reach  the  main  body  until  the 
day  after  the  brigade  had  joined  it,  and  some  not  even  until  the 
army  had  reached  tlie  Four  Corners  of  Chataugay. 

JVever  to  my  knowledge,  during  our  march  into  Canada,  and 
while  we  remained  at  the  Four  Corners,  a  term  of  twenty-six  days, 
did  general  Hampton  ever  send  off  a  scouting  or  reconnoitring 
party  (except  in  one  or  two  cases  at  8penr''s  in  Canada,  when  he 
detached  a  few  dragoons  for  this  duty)  ;  nor  did  he,  from  the  time 
we  commenced  our  march  from  Cumberland  Head  to  our  arrival 
at  Plattsburgh,  ever  order  a  front  flank,  or  rear  guard,  to  be  kept 
up,  though  a  great  part  of  the  time  we  were  in  situations  that 
evidently  required  it.  True  it  is,  these  guards  were  occasionally 
sent  out,  not,  however,  by  his  order,  but  by  the  orders  of  the 
officers  commanding  brigades. 

By  a  general  order,  dated  Chataugay,  November  5th,  the  gene- 
ral says  he  has  paid  the  first  attention  to  the  sick,  and  has  granted 
them  mdulgences  which  created  murmurings  on  the  part  of  some 
officers  at  uieir  posts.  Ifii^  only  necessary  here  to  observe,  that 
every  officer  of  the  army  can  testify  that  the  sick  were  very  much 
aeglectedt  as  far  m  regards  comibrtable  quarters  and  transporta- 


^  m . 


878 


tion,  and  thb  they  were  strewed  along  the  road^  through  which 
we  marched,  without  care  op  attendance ;  and  it  is  presumable  that 
many  have  died  in  consequence  of  this,  who  might  have  been 
saved  to  themselves,  if  not  to  the  service.  The  general,  indeed, 
at  the  time  this  order  was  issued,  which  was  after  our  i'.<turn  to 
the  Four  Corners,  did  order  transportation  for  the  sick  co  Bur- 
lington, but  this  is  the  only  instance  to  my  knowledge. 

The  commissary^s  department  is  worthy  of  notice.  My  order 
for  provision  was  not  sufficient ;  nor  tould  I  obtain  any  but  by 
Hpecial  license  of  general  Hampton.  The  commissary  of  issues 
has  been  constantly  in  the  habit  of  selling  the  livers,  &c.  of  the 
beeves  to  officers;  and  though  I  represented  this  to  general 
Hampton  as  uiiusual  and  improper,  he  refused  to  take  any  other 
notice  of  it  than  saying,  "  the  commissary  is  accountable  for  all 
parts  of  the  beef,  even  to  a  pound  or  ounce  of  tallow:''  nor  did  he 
take  any  notice  of  another  piece  of  misconduct  of  the  commis- 
mvy,  that  of  acting  in  the  capacity  of  suttler,  but  sanctioned  it  by 
purchasinj;  of  him. 

The  cuiumon  practices  with  general  Hampton,  of  arresting  offi- 
cers and  releasing  them  without  the  knowledge  or  consent  of  the 
officers  by  whom  tney  were  arrested,  (the  case  of  lieutenant  Morris, 
of  the  33d  regiment,  who  was  arrested  by  me  on  the  charge  of 
cowardice  and  misconduct  before  the  enemy,  on  the  26th  October, 
1813,  the  time  of  the  skirmish  with  the  enemy  at  Ormstown,  or 
Chutaugay  river,  bein^  an  insiu'ice) ;  of  refusing  to  arrest  officers 
whom  I  report:  J  to  him  as  having  deserted  their  posts  in  time  of 
action;  of  dn^y  i^^vuing  orders  and  countermanding  them;  and 
of  interferia  in  (n  improper  manner  with  subordinate  com- 
mands of  lia:>  wwiy,  as  a  referetice  to  the  orders  issued  by  him 
will  show,  mark  \  ery  strongly  the  capriciousness  of  his  conduct 
and  the  total  want  of  steadiness  in  his  intentions. 

Suc^i  has  been  the  generals  conduct  on  some  occasions,  that  I 
have,  in  common  with  other  ojficers,  been  induced  to  believe  that  he 
was  utider  the  influence  of  a  too  free  use  of  spirituous  liquors. 

I  must,  in  justice  to  general  Hampton,  say,  that  the  expedition 
he  planned, and  which  I  have  called  "difficult  and  fatiguing,"  did, 
at  the  time  it  Mas  su^ested  to  me  by  him,  meet  my  full  appro- 
bation, and  tliat  I  have  since  pm  -eason  for  changing  my  opini- 
on of  iti  practicability  or  usefulness,  but  I  must  also  say  that  it 
required  competent  guides,  and  these  (as  I  said  before)  he  pro- 
mised to  furnish  me,  but  did  not. 

I  am  of  opinion  no  officer  that  has  served  ^nder  major  general 
Hainptoi),  on  the  late  campaign,  can,  o;  will,  contradict  this  state- 
ment. 

ROBERT  PURDY,  Col  4th  Inf, 


A  ti-ue  copy, 

9 


R.  H.  M'PuEasoN, 

Captain  ^  Secretary, 


279 


ss. 


TREATMENT 
of  American  Priaonen  in  Quebec. 

Extract  of  a  Utter  from  captain  M'Donou^ht  commanding  the 
United  States*  naval  force  on  lake  Chumplair{f  to  the  Sebretary 
of  the  ^avi/t  dated 

**  PLATTSBURG  DAY,  November  23d,  1810 . 

"Accompanying  this  is-  the  voluntary  statement  of  Abraham 
Walter,  who  was  pilot  of  one  of  the  Mioops  taken  luHt  summer 
He  has  made  his  escape  from  Quebuc;  and  after  a  severe  journey 
of  ten  days,  reported  nimself  to  me  yesf     '  ay." 

tSlffidavit  of  Abraham  Walter,  pV'  ^^nited  States'  sloop 

Growler,  on  lake  (Jii  ;.  ' 

Statr  of  New  York,  } 
Clinton  County,     ^ 

AbrahaiH  Walter,  formerly  pilot  of  the  sloop  of  war  Growler, 
on  lake  Champlain,  beine  duly  sworn,  deposeth  and  saith,  that  he 
was  employed  on  board  that  sloop  when  it  was  taken  by  the  Bri- 
tish in  June  la»t ;  that  after  the  sloops  Growler  and  Eagle  were 
surrendered,  the  prisoners,  both  officers  and  sailors,  were  taken 
to  Quebec,  where  they  were  immediately  confined  on  board  a  pri-. 
son  ship;  there  they  were  examined  by  a  public  officer  or  exa- 
miner, and  about  eight  or  ten  of  the  prisoners  declared  to  be 
British  subjects ;  these  were  immediately  separated  from  the  rest, 
and  put  on  board  a  man  of  war  and  sent  to  England,  to  be  tried 
for  treason.  One  of  these  was  known  to  be  a  native  of  New 
Hampshire  by  captain  Herrick,  of  the  New  Hampshire  volunteers, 
who  was  also  a  prisoner,  and  who  had  known  him  from  his  infancy 
and  sevei'al  of  the  rest  were  declared  by  others  of  their  acquain- 
tance to  be  native  citizens  of  the  United  States.  These  represen- 
tations were  unavailing!;  with  the  British  officers  who  commanded, 
and  they  were  torn  thuH  from  their  companions  to  defend  them- 
selves against  the  charse  of  treason  in  England. 

The  residue  were  still  confined  in  t^  ^ir  prison  ships,  in  a  situ- 
ation more  disagreeable  Jian  can  well  be  imagined. 

Some  time  after,  a  number  of  British  vessels  were  wishing  to  pro- 
ceed to  Halifax,  the  crews  of  which  had  mostly  been  pressed  out  of 
them  to  fight  the  American  forces  on  the  upper  lakes,  and  seamen 
were  wanted  to  supply  their  places.  Governor  Prevust  sent  an 
order  to  general  Glascow,  who  then  commanded  there,  directing 
him  to  proceed  on  board  the  prison-ship  and  to  induce  the  prison- 
ers to  volunteer  to  man  their  fleet  for  Halifax ;  and  in  case  they 
refused  to  comply,  to  force  theni  *in  board  for  that  purpose.  The 
application  was  made ;  but  the  American  prisoners,  considering 
the  measure  unjustifiable  towards  their  own  government,  refused 
to  volunteer,  and  were  accordingly  forced  on  board  the  vessels  by 
a  British  press-gang,  where  this  deponent  understood  they  hatl 


^, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0  ;^iu  ui 

»IU   122 
£  Ui   120 


1.1 


11.25  11.4 


!■■  lii& 


1.6 


^ 
'^ 


FhotogFaphic 

Sdmoes 

CarporatiQii 


4^ 


v\ 


23  WMT  NIAM  STRHT 

WnSTM,N.Y.  145M 

(7U)t7S-4»03 


'^ 


.* 


%^^ 

v\^ 


^ 


4^ 


6^ 


M 


; 
I 


li .  J..  / 


ft  5:  '■  '       5 


Ml 


Quarters  assigned  them,  and  were  compelled  to  assist  in  navigating 
Iritish  vessels  to  Halifax,  arid  afterwards  to  England,  as  this 
deponent  has  since  been  informed :  and  further,  that  not  one  sea- 
man who  Mas  a  prisoner  there  was  exempted  from  this  proceeding. 
And  this  deponent  further  saith,  that  in  the  beginning  of  the 
present  month  of  November,  an  order  was  received  in  Conformity 
to  the  prince  regent^s  proclamation,  to  seize  46  Anierican  officers 
and  non-commissioned  officers,  who  were  then  prisoners  of  war, 
and  to  imprison  them,  to  be  kept  in  close  confinement,  agreeably 
to  the  tenor  of  that  proclamation.  Prisoners  to  tliat  number,  most 
of  whom  were  officers  there  on  their  parole,  many  of  them  in  a 
delicate  state  of  health,  vrere  immediately  put  under  arrest,  and 
maS'ched  guarded  to  the  public  prison,  and  immured,  for  what 
fate  is  to  him  unknown.  Among  those  destined  for  close  impri- 
sonment, are  lieutenant  Smith,  then  in  a  declining  state  of  health, 
and  Dr.  James  Wood,  a  citizen  of  Champlain,  who  was  taken 
from  his  home  while  he  was  in  the  employment  of  the  riivenuei 
but,  as  this  deponent  believes,  no  way  connected  with  the  army. 
They  vk  ere  imprisoned  on  the  5th  of  November  instant. 

This  deponent  further  saith.  that  the  enemy  has  uniformly  at 
that  place  treated  American  prisoners,  both  officers  and  privates, 
with  extreme  rigor ;  that  some  time  since  an  American  midship- 
man and  two  masters'  mates,  merely  for  having  proceeded  on  a 
party  of  pleasure,  about  half  a  mile  beyond  the  limits  assigned 
them,  were  seized  and  put  into  prison,  and  kept  in  irons,  tifl  th^ 
general  imprisonment  of  officers  and  non-commissioned  ofKcers, 
as  above  related,  took  place.  And  this  deponent  further  saith,  that 
all  that  was  allowed  for  the  American  pnson^rs  on  board  the  pri- 
son-ship, was  daily  one  pound  of  old  wormy  bread,  which  the  inha- 
bitants declared  had  been  twice  to  the  West  Indies,  and  condemn- 
ed lor  spoiled  bread,  and  one  half  pound  of  exceedingly  bad  meat, 
which  in  almost  any  other  situation  would  be  absolutely  not  eatable ;' 
no  liouors ;  no  soap  to  prevent  themselves  from  becoming  loue^ ;  no 
candles  :  and  none  of  the  other  comforts  of  life ;  and  that  it  was 
the  opinion  of  all  the  prisonei^  that  .many  of  them  had  actually 
starved  to  death,  not  being  able  to  eat  the  provisions ;  and  further, 
that  immediately  on  the  prince  regent's  proclamation  being  re- 
ceived, colonel  Gardner,  tne  American  agent  there,  who  had  been 
occupied  in  paying  oft'  the  sick  and  privates  of  the  land  service, 
was  immediately  notified  by  governor  Prevost,  to  consider  hiiriself 
confined  to  the  same  litiii^  which  were  assigned  for  the  officers  at 
Beaufort ;  and  when  this  deponent  left  that  place,  he  was  compelrH 
ed  to  remain  with  g<^neral  Winchester  ana  others,  .i;^nd  was  not 
permitted  to  visit  the  prisoners  who  were  in  distre;>3,6n  board  the 
prison-ships,  nor  to  ni^it  the  town  to  negotiate  his  bills  for  the 
relief  of  the  officers,  ahd  had  already  beeA  obliged  to  share  what 
little  private  mrthey  he  had  with  him  among  them  for  their  tem- 
porary relief.  This  deponent  further  saith,  that  he  started  from 
the  neighborhood  of  Quebec,  and  came  by  the  way  of  Derby  in 


# 


m 


Y«Hlto«ft,  klfA  «itivC|4  act  ttiis  idftbe  two  ditjri  kine^i  ^iid  lu^flUr 
Ihis  deponent  naith  not. 

ABRAHAM  WAtteft. 
iSwohi  befoi«  iat,  this  ^  diiy  df,  November,  1 81 3* 

ttENRt  gELEinr. 

One  of  the  Snigu  fff  the  Cbuii^  C&Mvkon  rUatt  in  tuH 
Jw  the  county  of  ilMnton, 


tUtRD  VICtORTT  OVER  TOE  €R^EKS* 

FORT  ARMSTROKO,  November  34th,  18tt. 

^AR  GENERAL, 

In  mine  of  tlie  19<)i  kiitant,  by  major  Oittla#,  I  protaiis«d  jtiA 

k  more  detailed  report,  respecting  the  detachment  ordered  by  ynn 

to  the  IfilHbee  Towna,  in  th«  Cr^  natnnu    In  compliance  with 

that  promise,  I  have  n^w  the  honour  to  ^tatef,  that  under  ydur  or" 

der  of  the  tlth  instant,  t  imttietliately  march^  with  ^  mott«t6d 

infantry  under  the  knmediate  conranand  of  t^onel  Burch,  l!ie 

tavalry  under  the  cotnimand  of  major  Porter*  and  a  few  «lf  the  Che* 

irokee  Indians,  under  the  oonmand  of  colonel  Morgan,  with  very 

^ort  rations  f^  four  days  only*    We  continued  our  march  to 

Little  Oakfiiskie,  when  we  fell  in  with  and  captured  five  hostile 

Creek  warriors,  suppuied  to  be  spSes.    Finding;  no  other  Irrdia^a 

mt  that  place,  we  burned  the  town,  .#hich  consisted  of  thirty 

houses.    We  Aen  proceeded  to  a  town  called  Oenal^,  and 

burned  the  tame,  consisting  of  ninety -three  houses ;  tiience  we 

proceeded  to  Nitty  Choptoa,  consisting  of  about  twenty-five  houses* 

which  I  considered  it  most  prudent  not  to  destroy,  as  it  might 

|KMsibl  V  be  of  use  at  some  future  period*    From  thence  we  inarch^ 

ed  to  the  Hillibee  Town,  consisting  of  about  twenty  houses^  ad-* 

joining  which  was  Grayson's  farm4    Previous  to  our  arrival  at 

that  place,  t  was  advised  that  a  party  of  the  hostile  Creeks  waa 

assembled  there*    Having  marched  withm  six  or  eight  milea  of  it 

on  the  evening  of  the  T'th,  I  dismounted  a  part  of  we  force  undei* 

n^  command,  and  sent  them  under  the  command  of  colonel  Burch« 

with  the  Cherokees  under  the  command  of  ctdonel  Mwganinid' 

vance,to  surround  the  town  in  the  nij^ti  and  make  (he  attack  at  day* 

lighten  thelStii.  Owingtothedaruiessofthe  night«  the  town  wa4 

Biyt  ieachednntil  after  day-liglht ;  but  so  complete  was  the  surpriiey 

that  we  succeeded  in  surrounding  the  towm  and  kiHine  and  captur** 

tn|^a)most  (if  not  entirely)  the  wholeof  the  tostiUCredLa  assembled 

there,  consisting  of  about  316,  df  which  number  about  60  wamiori 

were  killed  on  tne  spot,  utd  the  remainder  madeprisonetti  iBeforf 

tiie  close  of  the  enmgement,  mv  whole  force  wis  up  and  ntdf 

for  action,  haditmcome  neeeeMuy*  but  owing  to  the  want  of 

knoivledge  on  the  part  ot  ihe  l^dfani  of  oqr  appi'oaehj  they  were 

fntirely  kitted  ana  taken  before  they  could  prapare^for  aiiy  eA^^ 


11      :! 


11' 


■  ■'■•'•  Si 

r 


.#.  :ii 


ill  p 

I;  ■  ■'■^f ' 


tual  dttfeMce.  We  lost  net  one  drop  of  blood  in  accomplighing; 
this  enterprise.  Wc  destroyed  this  village,  and,  in  obedience 
to  jour  orders,  commenced  our  march  for  this  post,  which  we 
were  unable  to  reach  until  yesterday.  I  estimate  the  distance 
from  tliis  -to  Grayson's  farm,  at  about  100  miles.  The  ground 
over  which  we  travelled  is  so  rough  and  hilly,  as  to  render  a  pas- 
saee  very  difficult.  Many  defiles  it  was  impossible  to  pass  in 
safety,  without  thot  greatest  precaution.  For  a  prt  of  the  time, 
the  weather  was  so  ver^  we^  being  encumberea  with  prisoners, 
and  the  troops  and  their  horses  having  to  subsist  in  a  very  great 
degree  upon  such  supplies  as  we  could  procure  in  the  nation, 
rendered  our  march  more  tardy  than  it  otherwise  would  have 
been. 

The  troops  under  my  command  have  visited  the  heart  of  that 
section  of  the  Creek  nation,  where  the  Ited  Sticks  were  first  dis- 
tributed. 

In  justice  to  this  gallant  band,  I  am  proud  to  state,  that  the 
whole  of  the  officers  and  men  under  tne  command  of  colonel 
Burch,  performed  their  duty  cheerfully  and  without  complaint : 
that  from  the  cool,  orderly  and  prompt  manner  in  which  major 
Porter  and  the  cavalry  under  his  command,  formed  and  conducted 
themselves  in  every  case  of  alarm,  I  had  the  highest  confidence 
in  them ;  colonel  Morgan  and  the  Cherokees  under  his  command, 
gave  undeniable  evidence  that  they  merit  the  employ  of  their  go- 
vernment. In  short,  sir,  the  whole  detachment  under  my  com- 
mand, conducted  in  such  a  manner  as  to  enable  me  to  assure  you 
that  they  are  capable  of  performing  any  thing  to  which  the  same 
number  of  men  are  equal. 

It  ^ves  me  pleasure  to  add,  that  Mr.  M'Corry,  who  acted  as 
my  aid  in  this  expedition,  rendered  ^'^vices  that  to  me  were 
indispensable,  to  his  country  very  usv  and  to  himself  highly 
honourable. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JAMES  WHITE,  Brigadier  general* 
Major  genend  Jolm  Cocke. 


Bjptrad  of  a  letter  frtKn  major  general  Wilkinson  to  the  Secretary 

of  JVSr,  dated 


<*FRT£NCH  MILLS,  November  34«h,  1813. 

V 

**  I  havei  had  the  honour  to  receive  your  letter  of  the  15th  instant 
from  Albany,  and  hope  my  despatches  have  reached  you  which 
left  this  on  the  1 7th. 

«*  With  respect  to  the  unfortunate  issue  of  the  campaign,  I 
disclaim  the  shadow  ^  blame,  because  I  know  I  have  done  my 
duty,  and  more  than  my  duty,  and  so  do  those  with  whom  I  have 
actedf    T\*  general  RimpUm's  outrage  of  every  prineipU  of  sub' 


;ii    J-: 


ience 
h  we 
tance 
round 
ftpas- 
188  in 
:  time, 
konerSy 
^  great 
lation, 
1  have 

of  that 
rst  dis- 

hatihe 
colonel 
iplaint » 
h  major 
nducted 
ifidence 
mmand, 
^eir  go- 
ny  com- 
lure  yott 
he  Bame 

acted  ae 
me  were 
If  highlf 


ral* 


betetary 

1, 1813. 

^h  instant 
ou  which 

tapaign,  I 

done  my 

|m  I  have 

\Uoftub- 


283 

wiinaHoH  and  dvtcipline  may  he  ascribed  the  failure  of  the  e»pedi' 
Ooni  and  that  I  have  not  yet  arrented  him  must  be  attributed  to 
my  respect  for  you,  and  my  desire  that  the  arrest  should  proceed 
from  the  highest  authority ;  flh:  if  this  act  be  suffered  to  pass  unno- 
ticed and  unpunished,  it  will  establish  a  pricedent  to  justify 
disobedience  and  subvert  those  obli^tio'nsot  blind  obedience,  ott 
which  the  efficiency  of  military  institutions  exclusively  depend. 
"  After  our  losses  by  deaths,  desertions,  and  discharges  since 
we  left  Sackett's  Harbor,  I  think  we  shairnot  be  able  to  show  you 
more  than  6000  men  at  this  point,  exclusive  of  the  dragoons  who 
have  been  ordered  to  Greenbush  and  Pittsfield  for  convenience 
and  economy." 


FOURTH  VICTORY  OVER  THE  CREEKS. 

CAMP,  WEST  CHATAUOUCHIE,  December  4th,  1813. 

SIR. 

I  have  the  honour  to  communicate  to  your  excellency  an  ac- 
count of  an  action  foudit  on  the  29th  ultimo  on  the  Tdapoosit 
river,  between  part  of  flie  force  under  my  command,  and  a  large 
body  of  the  Creek  Indians. 

Having  received  information  that  a  number  of  the  hostile  Indi- 
ens  were  assembled  at  Autossee^  a  town  on  the  southern  bank  of 
the  Talapoosie,  about  18  miles  from  the  Hickory  Ground,  and  20 
above  the  jrnction  of  that  river  with  the  Coosa,  I  proceeded  to 
its  attack  with  950  of  the  Gteor^a  militia,  accompanira  by  between 
3  and  400  friendly  Indians.  Having  encamped  within  nine  or 
ten  miles  of  the  point  of  destination  the  preceding  evening,  we 
resumed  the  march  a  .few  minutes  before  one  on  uie  morning  of 
the  29th,  and  at  half  jpast  six,  were  t<Hrmed  for  action  in  front 
of  the  town. 

Booth's  battalion  composed  the  ri^t  column,  and  marched  from 
its  centre.  Watson's  battalion  composed  the  left,  and  marched 
from  its  ridit.  Adams's  rifle  company  and  Meriwether's  under 
lieutenant  Hendon,  were  on  the  flanks.  Captain  Thomas's  artil- 
lery marched  in  front  of  the  ri^t  column  in  the  road. 

It  was  my  intention  to  have  completely  surrounded  the  enemy 
by  appaying  the  right  win|^  of  my  force  on  Canleebee  creek,  at 
the  mouth  of  which  I  was  informed  the  town  stood,  and  resting 
the  left  on  the  river  bank  below  th^  town,  but  to  our  surprise,  as 
the  day  dauned,  we  perceived  a  second  town  about  500  yards 
below  that  which  we  had  first  viewed  and  were  preparing  to 
attack.  The  plan  was  immediately  changed :  three  companies  of 
infantry  on  the  left  were  wheeled  into  echellon,  and  advanced  to 
the  lower  town  accompanied  by  Meriwether's  rifle  company  and 
two  troops  of  light  dragoobi  under  the  command  of  captaisB 
Irwin  and  Steele. 


* 


r 
t  ■ 


I:       ..  •  "  V 


mk^4 


It   ■'! 


^fh«  rcfidiie  of  (he  force  tpiKroached  the  Mpper  town,  and  tl^f- 
battle  80on  became  ceneral.  The  Indians  presented  themselvea 
at  every  point,  and  |ou|^t  with  the  desperate  bravenr  of  real  f(^- 
natics. '  The  well  directed  fire,  howevef ,  of  the  artfllerr,  added 
to  the  charge  of  the  bajonet,  sooi|  forced  them  to  take  vrfuge  ii^ 
the  out  houses,  thickets  and  copses  in  rear  of  the  town ;  many  it 
is  believed  concealed  themselves  in  caves,  previously  formed  for 
the  purpose  of  secure  retreat  in  the  high  bluff  of  the  river,  which 
uras  thickly  covered  with  reed  and  brush  wood.  Hie  Indians  of 
the  friendly  party,  who  accompanied  us  on  the  expedition,  were 
divided  into  four  companies,  and  placed  under  the  command  of 
leaders  of  their  selection.  They  were,  by  engagement  entered, 
into  the  day  previous,  to  have  crossed  the  river  above  the  town 
and  been  posted  on  the  opposite  shore  durinc  the  action,  for  the 
purpose  of  firing  on  such  of  the  enemy  as  mient  attempt  to  esci^« 
or  keep  in  check  any  reinibrcement  which  might  probably  be 
thrown  in  from  the  neighboring  town ;  but  owing  to  the  difficulty 
of  the  ford  and  the  couness  of  tiie  weather,  and  the  lateness  of 
the  hour,  this  arrangement  failed,  and  their  leaders  were  direeted 
to  cross  Ganleebee  creek  and  occupy  that  flank,  to  prevent  et> 
capes  from  the  Tallassee  town.  Some  time  after  the  action  com* 
menced,  our  red  Crienda  thronsed  in  flisarder  in  the  rear  of  our 
lines.  The  Cowetaws  under  M'Xntosh,  and  Tookaubatchians  an-* 
der  Bfad  Dog^a  sem,  fell  in  on  our  flanka,  «id  fouf^t  with  «a 
iiitr<^dity  worthy  of  any  troops. 

At  0  o'clock  the  enemy  was  completely  driven  from  the  plain» 
and  the  houses  ol'tboth  towns  wrapfied  in  flames.  As  we  wero 
then  60  miles  from  anv  deoot  of  provisiona,  and  our  Ave  dayi^ 
rations  pretty  L;ach  reauoea,  in  tiie  heart  of  an  enemy's  country, 
which  in  ia  wr  momenta  coula  have  poured  from  its  nnmeroua 
towoa  hosts  oif  the  fiercest  warriors,  as  aoon  as  the  dead  and 
wounded  were  properly  disposed  of,  I  ordered  the  place  to  be 
abandoned,  and  the  troopa  to  commence  their  marcn  to  Chatar 
honchie. 

It  ia  difficult  to  determine  the  strength  of  the  enemy  s  bat  from 
the  information  of  some  of  the  chiefs,  which  it  is  said  can  be 
relied  on,  there  were  assembled  at  Autossee  warriora  from  ei^t 
towns,  for  its  defence,  it  being  their  beloved  ground,  en  which 
they  iNroclaimed  no  lytute  man  contd  apjiroach  without  inevitable 
destruction.  It  is  dtfiSicult  to  give  a  precise  account  (^  the  lose  of 
tiie  enen^ ;  bnt  A?oni  the  nun»er  which  were  ^ing  scattered  over 
the  field,  together  with  those  destroyed  in  the  towns,  and  the  maby 
•Iain  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  which  reapectable  officers  affirm 
they  aaw  lying  in  heaps  at  the  water's  edge,  where  they  bad  been 
preeipitatM.  by  their  surviving  friends,  th0ir  loaa  in  killed,  inde> 
pendent  of  their  wounded,  must  ha? e  been  at  least  200,  (among 
whom  were  the  Autosaee  and  TaUasafe  kUiga)  anc:  from  me  cir* 
oumstance  of  their  making  no  effiirta  to  niolest  our  return,  im^^* 
blj  greater.   The  number  of  buildings  burnt,  some  of  «  superior 


?!♦    . 

order  (or  th«  liwelUiun  of  savaaes,  and  filled  with  valuable  articlei^  . 
is  suppoied  to  be  400. 

Adjutant  general  Newman  rendered  important  services  during 
the  action,  by  hia  eool  and  deliberate  courage.  M^  aid,  major 
Crawford,  discharged  with  promptitude  the  duties  of  a  brave  and 
meritorious  officer.  Major  Pace,  who  acted  as  field  aid,  also 
distinguuhed  himself;  both  these  gentlemen  had  their  liorses 
shot  under  them,  and  the  latter  lost  his.  Doctor  Williamson, 
hosoital  surgeon,  and  doctor  Clopton,  were  prompt  and  attentive 
in  the  disdurge  of  their  dutj  towards  the  wounded  during  the 
action. 

Major  Freeman,  at  the  head  of  Irwin's  troop  of  (favalry,  and 

Krt  of  Steele's,  made  a  furious  and  successful  charge  upon  a 
dj  of  Indiana,  sabred  several  and  completely  defeated  them : 
c%ptiMn  Thomas  and  his  company,  captain  Adams  and  lieutenant 
Hendon's  rifle  companies  killed  a  great  many  Indians,  and  de- 
serve particular  praise.  Captain  mrton's  company  was  in  the 
hottest  of  the  battle,  and  fought  like  soldiers.  Captain  Myrick, 
captwi;  Little,  captain  Kin|;,  captain  Broadnax,  captain  Cleveland, 
captun  Jfosepk  J.  Cunning^uun,  and  captain  l^ee,  with  their 
compaoied,  distinguii^ied  themselves.  Brigadier  jgeneral  Shackle- 
fprd  wan  of  groat  aorvice  in  brinwing  tlie  troops  into  action ;  and 
«4itttaot  Br^max,  and  mt^r  Montgomery,  who  acted  as  assist- 
ant ^jiit^j^  showed  great  activity  and  covrase.  Mi^or  Booth 
48ed  his  best  endeavors  in  brining  his  battalion  to  action,  and 
nsajor  Wataon's  battalion  actod  with  considerable  spirit  Irwip's, 
Patterson's,  and  Steele's  troops  of  cavalry,  whenever  an  opportu- 
niity  presented,  chained  with  success.  Lieutenant  Strong  had 
hia  horse  shot  and  narrowljr  efcaped*  and  anarter  master  Fennell 
displayed  the  ereatest  heroism,  and  miraculously  escaped,  though 
badly  wounded,  after  having  his  horse  shot  firom  under  him. 
I1ie  topographical  engineer  was  ^ipUnt  in  his  endeavours  to 
render  service. 

The  troops  deserve  the  hichest  praise  for  their  fortitude  in 
enduring  huiiger,  cold,  and  tatlgue,  without  a  murmur,  having 
marched  190  miles  in  7  dajrs. 

The  friendly  Indians  lost  several  killed  and  wounded,  the 
number  not  exactly  known.  Captain  Barton,  an  active  and  intel- 
ligent officer,  (th^  bearer  of  thele  despatches)  can  more  particu- 
larly explain  to  your  excellency  the  conduct,  movements,  and 
operetiona  of  the  army. 

I  hav9  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JOHN  FLOYD,  H,  ^. 

Ifijar  general  PinQkney. 

JTiUed  and  unmnM  in  t&e  ocNoii  mi  ihe  2^h  of  AVvtmter.  ISlii 
Total  kiUfd  U;  wounded,  54. 


f 


. ,!  M 


*  :J 


•    ij 


I   \:>.&\l 


kJ..U.i] 


■''  v.-:, 


Matnust  ofu  Utter  from  hiradier  gmural  /sen!  to  «M{for  gtntral 

IFifiUfuon,  dated 

••  PLATT8BURG,  December  Ml,  1813. 

**  There  is  an  unavoidable  delaj  in  the  returns  of  the  r^menta 
•f  this  division,  proceeding  from  the  extreme  inexperience  of  the 
officers  of  all  grades,  now  with  them' ;  almost  every  efficient 
officer  is  either  sick,  or  was  furloughed  by  major  general  Hamp- 
ton at  the  moment  of  his  own  departure :  those  that  remain  ara 
barely  enough  to  perform  the  routine  of  duty  in  this  canton- 
ment.*' 


Bxtraet  of  a  letter  from  general  WUkinsoH  to  the  Secretary  of 

War,  dated 

MALONE,  December  Sth.  1813. 

**  The  unavoidable  delay  of  the  express  (as  no  reliance  can  be 
placed  in  the  mail  from"  this  place)  enables  me  to  send  you 
the  copy  of  a  letter  from  general  Izard,  dated  the  6th  instant, 
which  exhibits  additional  expositions  of  the  pemioious  and  un- 
warrantable conduct  of  major  general  Hampton,  i  will  not  charge 
this  man  with  traitorous  designs,  but  I  apprehend,  in  any  other 
government,  a  military  officer  who  first  defeated  the  object  of  a 
campaint  by  disobedience  of  orders,  and  then,  without  authority} 
furlou^ed  all  the  efficient  officers  of  the  division  he  commanded 
on  a  national  frontief,  in  the  vicinity  of  an  enemy,  would  incu^ 
heavy  penalties.** 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 

HEAD  QUABTEUS,  FORT  NIAOAKA,  December  13tb,  1819. 

Captain  Leonard  will,  as  soon  as  possible,  have  aproportion  of 
hand  grenades  in  the  different  block  houses,  and  eive  directions 
to  the  officers  of  the  infantry  where  they  should  De  posted  with 
their  men,  in  case  of  an  attack ;  and  should  they  not  be  able  to 
maintain  the  outworks,  to  repair  to  the  block  and  mess  houses ; 
and  have  every  thing  arranged  in  such  a  manner  as  though  he 
exDected  an  immediate  ittacL 

Much  is  expected  of  captain  Leonard,  from  his  Ions  experience 
and  knowledge  of  duty ;  and  the  general  feels  confident  he  will 
be  well  supported  by  lieutenant  Loomaa,  of  the  artillery,  as  well 
as  the  officers  of  the  infantry. 

By  order  of  brigadier  general  Creorge  M*Clure. 

DONALD  FRASER, 
LieuUnant  I5th  U,  8,  Inf,  ^  VoL  Ji,  de  Camp' 


[;'  il 


ADDRESS  OF  GENERAL  M<0LtTRl2: 
To  the  inhabUanU  of  ^NHagarttt  Oenesee  and  Chataugay, 

The  present  crisis  it  tnilj  alarming.  The  enemy  are  prepariig 
to  invade  your  frontier,  and  let  their  savages  loose  upon  your 
familiefl  and  property.  It  is  now  in  your  power  to  avoid  that  evil* 
by  repairing  to  Lewistown,  Schlosser  and  Buffalo.^  Every  man 
who  is  able  to  bear  arms  is  not  only  invited  but  required  to  repair 
to  the  above  rallying  points,  for  a  few  davs,  until  a  detachment 
of  militia  arrives.  The  enemy  are  now  laying  waste  their  own 
country;  every  man  who  does  not  take  up  arms,  or  who  are  dis- 
posed to  remain  neutral,  are  inhumanly  butchered,  their  property 
plundered,  and  their  buildings  destroyed.  Information  has  just 
been  received  that  six  or  ei^^t  of  their  most  respectable  inhabi- 
tants, between  Queenston  and  Fort  George,  have  fallen  victims  to 
their  barbarity.  Every  man  in  the  province  is  required  to  take  up 
arms,  and  he  that  refuses  is  wantonly  butchered.  What  then, 
fellow  citizens,  have  you  to  oxpect  from  such  an  enemy,  should 
they  invade  your  frontier  ?  Think  of  the  consequences ;  be  not 
lulled  into  a  belief,  tiiat  because  you  reside  a  few  miles  from  the 
river,  that  ^ou  are  secure :  No,  fellow  citizens,  the  place  to 
meet  them  is  on  the  beach,  llien  you  will  have  it  in  your  power 
to  chastise  them  ;  but  should  they  be  suffiered  to  penetrate  into 
the  interior  with  their  savages,  the  scene  will  be  horrid ! 

If,  then,  you  love  your  country  and  are  detemiined  to  defend, 
its  riehts ;  if  you  love  your  families,  and  are  determined  to  pro- 
tect uiem ;  if  you  value  your  property,  and  are  determined  to 
preserve  iU  you  will  fly  to  arms  and  hasten  to  meet  the  enemy, 
should  tliey  dare  to  set  foot  on  our  shores. 

Since  the  above  was  prepared,  I  have  received  intelligence  from 
a  credible  inhabitant  trom  Canada,  (who  has  just  escaped  from 
tiience)  that  the  enemy  are  concentrating;  m  their  forces  and 
boats  at  Fort  George,  and  have  fixed  upon  t<! -morrow  night  for 
attacking,  Fort  Niagara;  and  should  they  succeed,  they  will  lay 
waste  our  whole  frontier.  In  that  case,  our  supply  of  arms,  which 
are  deposited  at  Fort  24iagara,  will  be  cut  off.  Therefore  all  who 
have  arms,  accoutrements  or  ammunition,  will  do  well  to  bring 
them,  and  all  who  have  horses  will  come  mounted. 

GEORGE  M'CLURE, 

Bngadier  gentral  commanding  ^/%agara  frontifr, 
M>A9  QcAETXB*,  BvnuA,  December  18th,  1818. 


Sxtrad  of  o,  Utttr  from  commodore  Stephen  Decatur  to  fJie 

Secretary  of  the  Mvy, 

VEW,  LONDON.  December  30th,  1813. 

**  Some  few  nights  since,  the  weather  promised  ,an  opportunity 
ttr  this  aquadren  to  get  to  sea,  and  it  was  said  on  shore  tiiat  we 


■h  y 


'  '1    11 


m 


Ki*r.   ■  '   i 


.i:i: 


X 


188 

itiMnd^d  to  make  the  Mtempt  In  Ihe  eourle  tif  ihfe  «v«ning  t«> 
blue  light!  were  burnt  on  both  the  fmnts  at  the  hwrbo«ir*t  mouth  at. 
ai|pMU  to  the  enemy,  and  there  it  not  a  doubt,  but  Ihat  thej 
We,  by  tignalt  ana  otherwite,  inttantaneout  information  of  oar 
movementt.  Great  but  untuccettful  exertiont  have  been  made 
to  detect  tiiote  who  communicate  with  the  enemy  bj  tignal.  The 
e^tor  of  the  New  London  Gazette,  to  alarm  them,  and  in  a 
hope  to  prevent  the  repetition  of  thete  tignalt,  ttated  in  that 
newtpaner,  that  they  had  been  obterved,  and  ventured  to  denounce 
tlvDse  wno  had  made  them  in  animated  and  indignant  termt.  The 
contequence  it,  that  he  hat  incurred  the  exprettcentureof  tome 
of  his  neighbourt.  Notwithttanding  thete  tignab  have  been  re- 
peated and  have  been  teen  by  twenty  pertont  at  leatt  in  thia 
tquadron,  there  are  men  in  New  London  who  have  the  hardihofld 
to  afect  to'diabelieve  it,  and  the  effipontery  toavow  their  ditbeli^o 

**  I  have  the  htmour  to  be,  kc,  ^ 

»« STEPHEN  DEC  ATtni.» 

llonounble  WiU'uun  Jones,  Secretar}'of  the  Navjr. 


■i|f 


i-'   5*!'..:  .,9 ' 


.;*!•■         *i 


BEAD  QUARTERS,  BtlFTALO,  OeCMbber  92d,  tSlS. 
8IR, 

I  regret  to  be  under  the  n^cettHy  of  announcing  to  you  the 
mortifying  intelligence  of  the  loot  <^  Fort  Niagara.  On  the 
morning  m  the  1^  inttant,  about  fouroVIOck,  the  enem^  crost- 
ed  the  nver  at  the  Five  Mile  Meadowt  in  great  force,  conntting  4^ 
rr^lart  and  Indians,  who  made  their  way  un^tcovered  to  the  gtrti- 
ton,which,  from  the  most  correct  information  Icite  collect,  waacmn- 
pletely  surprised.  Our  men  were  nearly  all  asleep  in  tiieir  tents } 
the  enemy  ruthed  in  and  commenced  a  ttost  liokrMe  tlauf^ter. 
Such  at  etcaped  the  lory  of  the  firtt  ontet,  retired  tO  the  old 
mesdioute,  wnere  they  fikpt  up  a  dettructive  fire  on  die  enenrr, 
until  a  want  of  amnimiition  compelled  them  to  turrehdfer.  Al- 
though our  force  wat  very  inferior  and  comparatively  tmall  indeed, 
I  am  induced  to  think  that  the  ditafter  it  not  attributabk  to  any 
tpaniof  troops  but  to^»rott  neglett  hi  the  eoiHiKanding  oMetr  of 
thefortt  captain  9  eonanl,  in  not  preparing,  being  reaoy,  and 
looking  out  for  the  expected  attack* 

I  have  not  been  able  to  atcertain  correctly  the  number  of  kilkd 
and  wounded.  About  twenty  regulart  hiive  etcaped  out  ot  the 
fort,  tome  badly  wounded.  Lieutenant  Peck,  S4th  regiment,  it 
killed,  and  it  it  taid  three  othert.  You  will  perce^re,  iir,  by  the 
endoted  general  ordert,  that  I  apprehended  an  attack,  and  made 
the  necettary  arrangements  to  meet  it,  but  have  reason  to  believoi 
from  information  received  by  thote  who  have  made  tiieir  etcape^ 
that  the  commandant  did  not  in  ahy  respect  oompty  wHh  thot* 
ordert* 


S89 


gt«-> 
tuthat. 
:  they 
of  otr 
made 
.  The 
I  in  a 
n  that 
Kounce 
I.  The 
if  tome 
sen  re- 
in thia 
rdihood 
itbeli^t 


i,l81S. 


yov  the 
On  the 


it  of  th« 

iment,  in 

r.  by  the 

id  made 

I  believe* 

escape* 

thosf 


On  the  same  morning  a  detachment  of  militia,  under  mi^or 
Bennet,  stationed  at  Lewiston  HeiKhts,  was  attacked  by  a  party 
of  savages :  but  the  major  and  his  little  corps,  by  making  a  dea« 
perate  charge,  effected  their  retreat  after  oeing  surrounded  by 
several  hundred,  with  the  loss  of  six  or  eight,  who  doubtless  were 
killed ;  amonc  whom  were  two  sons  of  captain  Jones,  Indian  in- 
terpreter. li\e  villages  of  Youugstown,  Lewiston,  Manchester, 
ana  the  Indian  Tuscarora  village,  were  reduced  to  ashes,  and 
the  inoffensive  inhabitants  who  could  not  escape,  were,  without 
regard  to  age  or  sex,  inhumanlu  butehertd  by  savage*  headed  by 
BRITISH  officers  painted.  A  British  pfficer  who  is  taken  prison- 
er avows  that  many  small  children  were  murdered  by  their 
Indians.  Major  MaJlory,  who  was  stationed  at  Schlosser,  with 
about  forty  Canadian  volunteers,  advanced  to  Lewiston  Heiehts, 
and  compelled  the  advanced  guard  of  the  enemy  to  fall  back  to 
the  foot  of  the  mountain.  The  major  is  a  meritorious  officer ;  he 
fousht  the  enemy  two  days,  and  contended  every  inch  of  ground 
to  me  Tonawanta  creek.  In  these  actions  lieutenant  Lowe  of  the 
23d  regiment  United  States  army,  and  eight  of  the  Canadian  vo- 
lunteers were  killed.  I  had  myself,  three  days  previous  to  the  at- 
tack on  the  Niagara,  left  it  with  a  view  of  providmg  for  the  defence 
of  this  place,  Black  Rock,  and  the  other  villages  on  this  frontier. 
I  came  nere  without  troops,  and  have  called  out  the  militia  of 
Genesee,  Niagara,  and  Chataugay  counties  en  nuuse. 

This  place  was  then  thought  to  be  in  most  imminent  danger,  as 
well  as  the  shipping,  but  I  have  no  doubt  is  now  perfectly  secure* 
Volunteers  are  coming  in,  in  great  numbers;  they -are,  however, 
a  species  of  troops  that  cannot  be  expected  to  continue  in  service 
for  a  long  time.  In  a  few  days  one  thousand  detached  militiai 
lately  drafted,  will  be  on. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c« 

GEORGE  M'CLURE, 
Brigadier  genertU  commanding. 
Honourable  Jdm  Armfctiong,  Secretary  of  War. 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTBB8,  NIAGARA  fVONTIEIi, 

December  SOdi,  1818. 


I  have  only  time  to  acknowledge  the  recaj^t  of  y6ur  letter  cl 
the  251h  instant,  and  to  add  that  uiis  frontier  is  wholly  desolate. 
The  British  crossed  over,  supported  by  a  strons  pftrty  of  Indians, 
at  a  littie  before  dayli^t  this  morning,  near  Black  Rock.  They 
were  met  by  the  militia  iinder  my  command  with  spirit;  but 
overpowerea  by  numbert  and  discipline  of  the  enemy,  the  militia 
gave  way  and  fled  on  every  side ;  every  attempt  to  rally  them  waf 
meffectual.  The  enemy's  purpose  was  obtained,  and  the  flou- 
rishing vUlage  of  BUFFALO  LAID  IN  RUINS.  The  NiagarA 
prospect  of  uniting  our  forces,  of  driving  the  enemy  from  fiur- 

57 


'f---   '  W 


^■■'il 


V^ 


'',-,'■  '■-'  ■  ■'. 


■■^^W-'^ 


SM 


'.  4 


r  ws^ 


1 

i  ■•1 

Mil. 

lli 

1 

'  ''  in 

liii 

tl; 

frontier  naw  Het  open  and  naked  to  our  enemiei.  Your  jodgment 
will  direct  you  what  ii  moet  proper  in  thiH  emermncy.  I  «m 
exhauated  with  fatigue  and  mutt  dfefer  particulara  till  to-morrow. 
Manjr  valuable  lives  are  lost. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

A.  HALL,  Major  general 
Governor  Tompkins. 


GENERAL  M<CLURE  TO  THE  PUBLIC. 

GENENEB,  NEW  YORK,  January  l»t.  1814. 

The  lato  descent  of  the  enemj  on  our  frontier,  and  the  hArrid 
outrages  committed  on  our  defenceless  inhabitants  by  the  British 
allies,  beine  laid  to  my  misconduct  as  commanding  officer  of  the 
American  forces  on  the  frontier,  and  although  my  conduct  has 
been  approvedby  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  commander  in  chief  of 
this  state,  and  by  gjencral  Harrison, 'before  his  departure,  still 
I  deem  it  a  duty  which  I  owe  to  my  own  reputation,  in  order  to 
put  a  stop  to  the  evil  reports  which  are  propaj^ted  against  me, 
without  knowing  my  orders,  or  the  means  which  I  had  in  my 
power  to  execute  them,  to  cive  a  brief  statement  of  my  roost  pro- 
minent acts  since  I  havehad  the  honour  of  so  important  a  command. 
On  my  arrival  at  Fort  George,  and  previous  to  the  departure  of 
general  Wilkinson  with  his  army  from  that  post,  I  suggested  to 
Ine  general  the  necessity  of  marchine  out  against  the  enemy  at 
Cross  Roads  and  Four  Mile  Creek ;  tnat  his  army,  with  the  addi- 
tion of  my  militia,  were  sufficient  to  take  or  destroy  all  the  British 
forces  ill  that  neighbourhnod,  which  would  leave  nothing  more  for 
the  militia  to  do  than  to  protect  and  keep  in  order  the  inhabitants 
,of  that  part  of  the  province,  as  otherwise  our  frontier  would  be 
liable  to  be  invaded.  This  proposition,  however,  was  not  agreed 
to,  as  the  eeneral's  instructions  were  of  a  different  nature.  The 
general  left  with  me  colonel  Scott  and  800  regulars,  who  were  to 
remain  until  I  considered  my  force  sufficient  to  hold  the  fort  with- 
out them,  when  they  were  to  march  to  Sackett's  Harbour. 

About  the  12th  of  October,  the  British  army  commenced  their 
Tetreat  towards  the  head  of  the  lake.  I  issued  orders  for  my 
militia  to  pursue,,  which  was  promptly  obeyed.  We  advanced  as 
fur  as  the  Twelve  Mile  Creek,  and  within  a  short  distance  of  the 
enemy's  rear  guard,  when  colonel  Scott  sent  an  express,  request- 
ing me  to  return,  and  said  that  he  would  abandon  the  fort  next 
day, and  march  with  his  troops  for  Sackett's Harbour;  and  at  the 
same  time  detained  my  provisions  and  ammunition  wagons,  which 
«ompelkid  me  to  abandon  the  further  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  and 
induced  them  to  make  a  stand  on  the  heishts  of  Burlington.  I 
'Was  then  left  with  about  1000  effective  milina  in  Fort  George,  and 
25D  Indians,  a  force  not  more  than  sufficient  to  garrison  the  {lost 
Oh  the  arrival  of  general  Hajrrison'a  army,  1  waa  elated  with  the 


991 


pnent 

I  am 

wrow. 


rraL 


1814. 
!  hArrid 
BritiBh 
r  of  the 
act  hM 
1  chief  of 
ire,  ttm 
order  to 
unst  me, 
^d  in  my 
uo»t  pro- 
ommand. 
tarture  of 
i;e8ted  to 
pneroy  at 
the  addi- 
\e  British 
more  for 
ihabitanta 
(vould  be 
lot  agreed 
ire.    The 
o  were  to 
fort  with- 

Iiced  their 
for  my 


Uii|;t«m,  taking  pMieiiion  of  that  poat,  and  giving  p«ace  to  th« 
Upper  Province  and  onr  frontier.    ^Ve  were  prepared  to  march 
in  S4  hours,  when  the  arrival  of  commodore  Ch^unce^r  with  'irdera 
for  that  eicellent  officer,  general  Harrison,  to  repair  immediately 
with  his  army  to  Sackett's  Harbour,  frustrated  it  1  remonstrated 
aiainst  hisffioing  off*,  as  will  be  seen  in  a  correspondence  between 
uie  general  and  myself ;  but  in  vain.    By  this  movement  all  my 
expectations  were  blasted,  and  I  foresaw  the  consequences,  unless 
a  reinforcement  was  immediately  sent  on  to  supply  the  place  of 
the  drafted  militia  whose  term  of  service  would  shortly  expire.    I 
considered  my  force,  which  had  become  unp;overnable,  as  then 
insufficient  togo  against  the  enemy.    The  object  of  the  last  expe- 
dition to  the  Twenty  Mile  Creek,  is  fully  explained  in  the  general 
order  which  [  issued  on  my  return.    For  six  weeks  before  the> 
militia  were  discharged,  I  wrote,  and  continued  writing,  to  the- 
Secretary  of  War,  the  necetsity  of  sending  on  a  detachment  of 
militia  er  regular  troops ;  that  1  found  it  impossible  to  retain  the 
militia  in  service  one  day  beyond  their  term;  I  also  sin  ted,  from 
the  best  information,  the  enemy's  forces.    I  offered  a  bounty  of 
two  dollars  oer  month,  for  one  or  two  months,  but  without  effect. 
Some  few  oi  colonel  Bloom's  regiment  took  the  bounty,  and  imme- 
diately dieappeared,  and  I  was  compelled  to  ffrant  a  discharge  to 
the  mUitia  and  volunteers,  which  left  me  about  60  effective  regulars 
of  the  24th  United  States  infantry,  under  captain  Risers,  to  garri- 
son Fort  George.  I  summoned  a  council  of  tne  officers,  and  pat  the 
question^— '*  Is  the  fort  tenable  with  the  present  number  of  men  P" 
They  unanimously  gave  it  as  their  opinion,  that  it  would  be  mad- 
ness in  the  extreme  to  pretend  to  hold  it,  and  recommended  its 
evacuation  immediately,  as  the  enemy's  advance  was  then  within 
eight  miles.    I  accordinsly  gave  orders  for  all  the  arms,  ammuni- 
tion and  public  stores,  of  every  description,  to  be  sent  across  the 
river,  which  was  principally  effected  (though  the  enemy  advanced 
so  rapidly  that  ten  of  my  men  were  n||ide  prisoners)  and  ordered 
the  town  of  Newark  to  be  burnt.    This  act,  however  distressing 
to  the  inhabitants  and  my  feelings,  wag  by  order  of  the  Secretary 
of  War,  and  I  believe  at  the  same  time  proper.    The  inhabitants 
had  twelve  hours  notice  to  remove  their  effects,  and  such  as  chose 
to  come  across  the  river  were  provided  with  all  the  necessaries  of 
life.    I  left  captain  Leonard  in  the  command  of  Fort  Niagara, 
with  about  160  effective  regulars,  and  pointed  out  verbally,  and 
particularly  in  a  general  order,  how  he  should  prepare  for  an  attack, 
which  would  certainly  tak<s  place.    I  stationed  colonel  Grieves's 
artillerists,  consisting  of  about  twenty  men,  with  two  pieces  of 
artillery,  at  Lewistoil,  under  the  command  of  major  Bennet,  and 
made  tnem  a  present  of  400  dollarf  tor  volunteerins  their  services 
three  weeks ;  but  before  that  place  was  attacked  cney  nearly  all 
dewrtedt  except  the  officers,  who  bravely  defended  themselves, 
and  cut  their  way  through  the  savages,    ll^e  Canadian  volunteers, 


I  ,-i 


')       .i 


HM'I 

M 

1 

|; 

m 

ife ' 

..  ■' 

«9»v 

about  40  in  number,  under  major  Mallorj,  an  officer  of  creai 
merits  I  stationed  at  Schlosser,  and  went  myself  to  Buffalo  to 
provide  for  the  safetj  of  that  place,  and  Black  Rock,  which  I 
trust  is  out  of  danger,  having  called  out  the  militia  of  Niagara  en 
fluistte. 

The  public  are  now  in  possession  of  some  of  the  leading  facta 
which  have  governed  my  conduct  m  the  discharge  of  the  trust 
assigned  me,  and  I  appeal  to  the  candouv  of  every  dispassionate 
man  to  determine  witn  what  justice  my  feelings  as  a  citizen,  and 
pride  as  a  soldier,  have  been  wounded, 'and  my  character  aspersed. 
If  insubordination  to  the  orders  of  superiors  are  justifiable,  I  may 
have  failed  in  my  defence*  If  to  have  suppressed  the  risings  of 
mutiny  is  reprehensible,  then  also  am  I  not  justified.  If  to  hav« 
enforced  the  disciplinary  laws  of  a  camp  is  a  proceeding  unwar- 
ranted, then  have  I  been  in  error.  But,  fellow  citizens,  I  do  not 
think  so  meanly  of  you  as  to  credit  the  monstrous  supposition, 
that  you  will  deliberately  advocate  such  strange  hypothesis.  Your 
prejudices  against  me  have  been  the  result  of  feelings  misled  bj 
the  acts  of  my  enemies,  and  not  the  result  of  your  sob«r  judgment, 
operating  upon  facts  and  principles.  Those  facts  are  now  nefore 
you.  On  those  facts  judge  me  in  your  candour,  and  i  will  abide 
yiDur  decision. 

GEORGE  M'CLURE. 


1^^  m 


hi 


Jit  .?r 
^1.  ;-i 


1'^  ''     :;l 


ill: 


Captain  Shaler,  of  the  frivoteer  governor  Tompkins,  to  his  ageiU$ 

tn  JWtv  lorAr,  dated 

AT  SEA,  Januaiy  Itl^  1814. 

Two  days  after  despatching  the  Nereid  I  took  a  whaleman,  from 
Ijondon,  traund  for  the  South  seas ;  but  she  being  of  no  value  I 
took  out  such  stores,  &c.  as  I  could  stow;  and  being  much 
Umbered  with  prisoners  and  ba^age,  I  put  tiiem  on  bo^  and 
<kderedherfor  Ftdmouth.  % 

The  chasing  this  ship  had  taken  me  some  distance  off  my 
ground,  and,  owing  to  calms,  1  could  not  regain  it  until  the  25th 
ultimo,  when  at  sun-rise  three  sail  were  discovered  ahead,  and 
we  made  sail  in  chase.  The  wind  being  light,  we  came  slowly 
up  with  them.  On  a  nearer  approach  they  proved  to  be  two  shipa 
and  a  brig.  One  of  the  ships  nad  all  the  appearance' of  a  large 
transport;  and  from  dieir  manouvres,  they  appeared  to  hav^ 
concerted  measures  for  a  mutual  defence ;  and  the  large  ship  ap- 
|ieared  prepared  to  take  the  bulk  of  an  action.  ^  Boats  were  seen 
passing  to  and  from  her ;  she  had  boarding  pettings  almost  up  to 
her  tops ;  she  also  had  her  topmast  studding  sail  booms  out,  with 
tiie  saus  at  their  ends,  ready  for  a  running  fij^t.  Her  ports  ap- 
peared to  be  pointed^  and  she  had  something  on  deck  resembling 
H  merchahtman's  boat;  and,  after  all,  what  the  deuce  do  you 
think  fthe  was  ?    Why  have  a  little  patience  and  I  will  tell  yoa. 


«»3  '        .       ' 

i\t  3  P.  M,  a  sudden  squidl  struck  us  from  tl^e  northward,  and 
the  ship  not  yet  having  received  it,  before  I  could  get  in  our  light 
sails,  and  almost  before  I  could  turn  round,  I  was  under  the  guns, 
nut  of  a  transport,  but  of  a  large  frigate,  and  not  more  than 
one-third  of  a  mile  from  her.  I  immediately  hauled  down  En- 
glish colors,  which  I  previously  had  up,  set  three  American  en- 
signs, trimmed  our  sails  by  the  wind,  and  commenced  u  brisk 
fire  from  our  little  battery ;  but  this  was  returned  with  woeful 
interest.  Her  first  broad  «ide  killed  two  men,  and  wounded  six 
others,  two  of  whom  severely,  one  since  dead.  It  also  blew  up 
one  of  my  salt  boxes,  with  two  nine  pound  cartridges.  This  com- 
municated fire  to  a  number  of  pistols,  and  three  tube  boxes  that 
were  lying  on  the  companion  way :  all  of  which  exploded,  and 
aome  of  the  tubes  penetrated  throu<j,h  a  small  crevice  under  the 
companion  leaf,  and  found  their  way  to  the  cabin  floor ;  but  that 
being  wet,  and  the  fire  screen  broken  up,  no  further  accident  took 
place. 

This,  together  with  the  tremendous  fire  from  the  frigate,  I  as- 
sure you,  made  warm  work  on  the  Tompkins's  quarter  deck ;  but 
thanks  to  her  heels,  and  the  exertions  of  my  brave  officers  and 
crew,  I  have  still  the  command  of  her.  When  she  opened  her 
fire  upon  me,  it  was  about  half  past  three.  I  was  then  a  little 
abaft  ner  beacn.  To  have  attempted  to  tack;  in  a  hard  squall, 
would  at  least  have  exposed  me  to  a  raking  fire ;  and  to  have 
attempted  it  and  miss  would  have  been  attended  with  the  inevi- 
table loss  of  the  schooner.  I  therefore  thought  it  most  prudent 
to  take  her  fire  on  the  tack  on  which  I  was ;  and  this  I  was 
exposed  to  from  the  position  which  I  have  mentioned  until  I  pass- 
ed her  bcw ;  she  all  the  while  standing  on  with  me,  and  almost 
as  fast  as  ourselves ;  and  such  a  tune  as  was  played  round  my 
ears,  I  assure  you.  I  never  wish  to  hear  again  in  the  same  key» 
At  4  her  shot  began  to  fall  short  of  us ;  at  half  past  four,  tlie  wind 
dying  away,  and  the  enemy  still  holding  it,  his  shot  again  beean 
to  reach  us ;  got  out  sweeps,  and  turned  all  hands  to.  I  dso 
threw  over  all  the  lumber  from  the  deck,  and  about  2000  weight 
of  shot  from  the  after  hold.  From  about  5,  A.  M.  all  his  shot  fell 
short  of  us.  At  about  25  minutes  after  5,  the  enemy  hove  about, 
and  I  was  glad  to  get  so  well  clear  of  one  of  the  most  quarrelsome 
companions  that  \  ever  met  with.  After  the  first  broadside  from 
the  frigate,  no  shot  struck  the  hull  of  the  Tompkins ;  but  the 
water  was  literally  in  a  foam  all  around  her.  The  moment  before 
the  squall  struck  us,  I  told  Mr.  Farnum  that  she  was  too  heavy 
or  us,  and  he  went  forward  with  a  ^lass  to  take  another  look ; 
when  the  squall  took  the  schooner  as  if  by  magic,  and  was  up  with 
her  before  we  could  get  in  our  light  sails. 

My  officers  conducted  themselves  in  a  war  that  would  have 
done  honour  to  a  more  permanent  service :  Mr.  Farnum,  first 
lijettteDant,  conducted  himself  with  his  usual  vigor.  Mr.  Acheson, 


%    ft 


:  J'    ! 


.  I 


lei    ;fi 


W-A ' 


tin 


f  f  V 


894 

iailing  master,  performed  his  part  in  the  style  of  a  brare  and 
accomplished  seaman.  Meisra.  Miller  and  Oodd,  second  and 
third  lieutenants,  were. not  so  immediately  under  mj  eye;  but 
the  precision  and  promptitude  with  which  all  my  orders  were 
executed,  is  sufficient  proof  that  they  are  to  be  relied  on.  Mr. 
Thomas,  boatswain,  and  Mr.  Caswell,  master's  mate,  were  partt< 
cularly  aotiye,  and  deserye  encouragement. 

The  name  of  one  df  my  poor  fellows,  who  was  killed,  ought  to 
be  registered  on  the  bock  of  fame,  and  remembered  with  rever- 
ence as  long  as  bravery  is  considered  a  virtue.  He  was  a  black 
man,  named  John  Johnson,  A  24  pound  shot  struck  him  in  the 
hip,  and  took  away  all  the  lower  part  of  his  body.  In  this  state 
the  poor  brave  fellow  lay  on  deck,  and  several  times  exclaimed 
to  his  shipmates,  "  Fire  away  my  hoys  i—J^o  haul  a  color  downJ^ 
The  other  was  also  a  black  man  by  the  name  of  John  Dains^  and 
was  struck  in  much  the  same  way.  He  fell  near  me,  and  several 
times  requested  to  be  thrown  overboard,  saying,  "  He  was  onlp  in 
the  way  of  others  J*  Whilst  America  has  such  tars,  she  has  little 
to  fear  from  the  tyrants  of  Europe. 

From  the  circumstance  of  her  shot  being  34  pounders,  (which 
I  assure  you  is  the  case,  as  we  have  felt  and  weighed  them)  I  am 
of  opinion  it  was  the  Laurel,  a  new  frigate  which  I  had  information 
of.  A  gentleman  whom  I  took,  told  me  she  was  in  the  fleet;  that 
she  was  built  and  inannsd  on  purpose  to  cope  with  our  frigates ; 
and  that  if  she  got  sight  of  me,  she  would  certainly  take  me,  as  she 
was  the  fastest  sailer  he  ever  saw.  Enclosed  you  have  a  list  of 
the  killed  and  wotinded.  In  every  thing  else  we  are  in  good 
order  and  high  spirits. 

Yours '  respectfully , 

NATHANIEL  SHALER. 

Killed  2.    Wounded  6 ;  one  of  whom  since  dead. 


M' 


PORT  CLAIBORNE,  EAST  BANK  OF  ALABAMA, 

85  miles  above  Fort  Stoddert,  Januaiy  lit,  1814. 

SIR, 

On  the  13th  ultimo,  I  marched  a  detachment  from  this  post 
with  the  view  of  destroying  the  towns  of  the  inimical  Creek  Indians, 
on  the  Alabama,  above  the  mouth  of  the  Cahaba.  After  having 
marched  about  80  miles,  from  the  best  information  I  could  obtain, 
I  was  within  thirty  miles  of  a  town,  newly  erected  on  ground 
called  Holy,  occupied  by  a  large  body  of  the  enemy,  under  the 
command  of  Weatherford,  the  half  breed  chief,  who  was  one  of 
those  who  commanded  the  Indians  that  destroyed  tiie  garrison  at 
Mims,  in  August  last,  and  who  has  committed  many  depredations 
on  the  frontier  inhabitants.  I  immcdiatelv  caused  a  stockade  to 
be  erected  for  the  security  of.  the  heavy  Da^;age  and  sick.    On 


295 


T'  H 


the  V  ^itning  of  the  22d  the  troops  resumed  their  line  of  nar6h 
chiefly  through  woods,  without  a  track  to  guide  them.  When ' 
near  the  town,  on  the  morning  of  the  23d,  my  disposition  for 
attack  was  made.  The  troops  advanced  in  three  columns.  Witii 
the  centre  colunAi  I  advanced  myself,  ordering  Lester's  guards 
and  Wells's  troop  of  dragoons  to  act  as  a  corps  of  reserve.  About 
noon  the  right  column,  composed  of  twelve  months'  volun- 
teers, commanded  by  colonel  Joseph  Carson,  came  in  view  of  the 
town  called  Eccanachaca  (or  Holy  Ground),  and  was  immediately 
vigorously  attacked  by  the  enemy,-  who  were  apprized  of  ou£ 
approach,  and  had  chosen  their  field  of  action. 

Before  the  centre,  commanded  by  lieutenant  colonel  Russell* 
with  a  part  of  the  3d  regiment  of  United  States'  infantry  and 
mountea  militia  riflemen,  or  the  left  column,  which  was  composed 
of  niiiitia  and  a  party  of  Choctaws,  under  Pushamuttaha,  com- 
manded by  major  Smoot,  of  militia,  who  were  ordered  to  charge, 
could  come  senerallv  into  action,  the  enemy  were  repulsed,  and 
were  flying  m  all  directions,  many  of  them  casting  away  their 
arms. .  Tlnrty  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  and,  judging  from  every 
appearance,  many  were  wounded.  The  loss  on  our  part  was  one 
corporal  killed,  and  one  ensign,  two  sergeants,  one  corporal  and 
two  privates  wounded. 

A  pursuit  was  immediately  ordered ;  but  from  the  nature  of 
the  country,  nothing  was  effected.  The  town  was  nearly  sur- 
rounded by  swamps  and  deep  ravines,  which  rendered  our  ap- 
proach difficult,  and  facilitated  the  escape  of  the  enemy.  In  the 
town  we  found  a  large  quantity  of  provision  and  immense  pro- 
perty of  various  kinds,  which  the  enemy,  flying  precipitately, 
were  obliged  to  leave  behind,  and  which,  together  with  two  hun- 
dred houses,  were  destroyed.  They  had  barely  time  to  remove 
their  wumen  and  children  across  the  Alabama,  which  runs  near 
where  the  town  stood.  The  next  day  was  occupied  in  destroying 
a  town,  consisting  of  sixty  houses,  eight  miles  higher  up  the  river, 
and  in  taking  and  destroying  the  enemy's  boats.  At  the  town 
last  destroyed  was  killed  three  Indians  of  some  distinction.  The 
town  first  destroyed  was  built  since  the^commencement  of  hosti- 
lities, and  was  established  as  a  place  of  security  for  the  inhabi- 
tants of  several  villages.  The  leader  Weatherford,  Francis,  and 
the  Choctaw  Sinquistur's  sun,  who  were  ])rincipal  prophets,  resi- 
ded here.    Three  Shawatiese  were  among  the  slain. 

Colonel  Carson,  of  the  volunteers,  lieutenant  colonel  Russell,  of 
the  Sd  regiment  United  States'  infantry,  and  major  Smoot,  of  the 
militia,  greatly  distinguished  themselves.  The  activity  and  zeal 
of  the  assistant  deputy  quarter  master  general,  captain\Vert,  and 
my  brigade  major,  Kennedy,  uieritthe  approbation  of  government. 
I  was  much  indebted  to  my  aid-de-camp,  lieutenant  Calvit,  of 
volunteers,  to  lieutenant  Ruoesoni  of  tite  3d  regiment,  and  major 
Caller,  ef  militia,  wh»  acted  as  my  aid^  on  that  day,  for  ihc 


1 1 


m>*^ 


t  290 

nrotnptness  and  ability  with  which  they  performed  their  several 
duties,  llie  officers  of  the  different  corjps  behaved  handsomely, 
and  are  entitled  to  distinction.  Courage  animated  every  counte- 
nance, and  each  vied  with  the  other  in  rendering  service. 

I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  communicating  to  you  directly,  in 
consequence  of  the  distant  station  ot  the  general  commanding  the 
district,  and  also  for  the  purpose  of  forwarding  to  you  the  enclosed 
original  docum^ent  which  was  found  in  the  house  of  Weatherford. 
It  shows  particularly  the  conduct  of  the  Spaniards  towards  the 
American  government.  The  third  regiment  has  returned  to  this 
place,  and  volunteers  are  on  the  march  to  mount  Vernon,  near 
fort  Stoddert,  for  the  purpose  of  being  paid  off  and  discharged^ 
their  terms  of  service  having  generally  expired. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

FERD.  L.  CLAIBORNE, 

Brig,  Oen,  of  Volunteers. 
IloDourable  John  Annstron^. 


m  {  '^  ■{  . 


. jsS %\    '■■■  n' 


- 1 

■■sMr 


CAMP  DEFIANCE,  48  MILES  WEST  OF  CHATAHOUCHEE, 

Januaty  27t]i,  1814. 

SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  acquaint  your  excellency,  that  this  morn- 
ing at  twenty  minutes  past  five  o'clock,  a  very  large  body  of  hos- 
tile Indians,  made  a  desperate  attack  on  the  army  under  my 
command.  They  stole  upon  the  sentinels,  fired  upon  them,  and 
with  great  impetuosity  rushed  upon  our  lines;  in  twenty  minutes 
the  action  became  general,  ana  our  front,  right  and  left  flanks 
were  closely  pressed;  but  the  brave  and  gallant  conduct  of  the 
field  and  line  officers,  and  the  firmness  of  we  men,  repelled  them 
at  every  point 

The  steady  firmness  and  incessant  fire  of  captain  Thomases 
artillery,  and  captain  Adams's  riflemen,  preser^ved  our  front  line*: 
both  of  these  companies  suffered  greatly.  The  enemy  rushed 
within  fifty  yards  of  the  artillery,  and  captain  Broadnax,  who 
commanded  one  of  the  fllcket  guards,  maintained  his  post  with 
great  bravery  until  the  enemy  gained  his  rear,  and  then  cut  his 
way  through  them  to  the  army.  On  this  occasion  [fimj^chie 
Bamuel,  a  half-breed,  at  the  head  of  the  Uchies,  distiiiguisbed 
himself  and  contributed  to  the  retreat  of  the  picket  guard  ;^  the 
other  friendly  Indians  took  refuge  within  our  lines  and  remained 
inactive,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  who  joined  our  ranks.  So 
doon  as  it  became  light  enough  to  distinguish  objects,  I  ordered 
'aajors  Watson's  ai)d  Freeman's  battalions  to  wheel  up  at  rig^t 
angles  with  majors  Booth's  and  Cleveland's  battalions,  (who  form- 
ed right  wing,)  to  prepare  for  the  charge.  Captain  Duke  Hamil- 
ton's cayabry  (who  had  reached  me  but  the  day  before,)  was  or- 
dered to  fmrm  in  the  rear  of  the  rig^t  wing  to  act  as  circumstances 


\ 


«a97 


I  I 


Irasor- 
inces 


•honld  dictate :  the  order  for  the  chorae  was  promptly  obeTed^ 
and  the  enemy  fled  in  every  direction  before  tne  bayonet.  The 
sisnal  was  given  for  the  charse  of  the  cavalry  who  pursued,  and 
sabred  fifteen  of  the  enemy  who  left  thirty-seven  deaa  on  the  field ; 
from  the  t^Iiision  of  blood  and  the  number  of  head-dresses  and 
war-dubs  fo^nd  in  various  directions,  their  loss  must  have  beea 
considerable,  independent  of  the  wounded .  I  directed  the  friends 
\y  Indians,  with  Meriwether's  and  Ford's  rifle  companies,  accom- 
panied by  captain  Hamilton's  troop,  to  pursue  them  through  Cali- 
pee Swamp,  where  they  were  trailed  by  their  blood,  but  succeeded 
in  overtaking  but  one  of  their  wounded. 

Colonel  Nevrman  received  three  balls  in  the  commencement  of 
the  action,  which  deprived  me  of  the  services  of  that  gallant  and 
useful  officer.  The  assistant  adjutant  general  Narden,  was  inde- 
fati^le  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  and  rendered  important 
services ;  his  horse  was  wounded  under  hhn.  The  whole  of  the 
staff  was  prompt,  and  discharged  their  duty  with  courage  and 
fidelity ;  their  vigilance,  the  intrepidity  of  the  officers,  and  the 
firmness  of  the  men,  meet  my  approbation,  and  deserve  the  praise 
of  their  couAtry.  I  have  to  regret  the  death  of  many  of  my 
brave  fellows,  who  have  found  honourable  graves  in  the  voluntary 
support  of  tlieir  country.  My  aid-de-camp,  in  executing  my  orders* 
had  his  horse  killed  nnder  him.  (General  Lee  and  miyor  Pace, 
who  acted  as  additional  aids,  rendered  me  essential  service  with 
honour  to  themselves  and  usefulness  to  the  cause  in  which  th^ 
are  embarked.  Four  wagon  and  several  other  horses  w^re  killedi, 
and  two  of  the  artillery  horses  wounded.  While  I  deplore  the 
loss  ittstained  on  this  occasion,  I  have  the  consolation  to  know 
that  the  men  which  I  have  the  honour  to  command  have  done  their 
duty.  I  herewith  transmit  you  a  list  of  the  killed  and  wounds 
I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JOHN  FLOYD,  Brigadier  General, 
Major  geneni  ^ckney. 


SIR, 


January  28th,  1814. 


The  patriotism  that  brought  you  into  the  field  at  your  ad- 
vanced age,  which  prompted  you  on  with  me  to  face  the  enemy  ia 
the  late  excursion  to  the  Talapoosie  river,  the  example  of  order, 
and  your  admonition  to  strict  subordination  throughout  the  lines, 
and, lastiy,  the  bravery  vou  displayed  in  the  battie  of  Enotochopco, 
by  re-crossing  the  creex,  entenng  the  pursuit,  exposing  your  per- 
son, and  thereby  saving  tiie  life  of  lieutenant  Moss,  and  killing 
the  Indian,  entitie  you  to  the  thanks  of  your  general  and  the 
approbation  of  your  country.  Not  having  it  in  my  power  to  move 
forward  until  the  troops  from  East  and  West  Tennessee  arrive, 
(I  mean  tiie  1500  ordered  for  six  months'  service,  under  the  re- 
quisition of  the  Secretary  of  War,  and  tiie  late  order  ef  generll 
38 


1 1  i' 


WW' 


«98 


•:  i-  ,f 


ll' 


W^ 


mil' 


'i   - 


l^ineknej,  with  colonel  Willuuns's  renment,  and  such  other  auxi- 
liary troops,  as  may  be  permitted  bv  tiie  orders  of  the  governor  of 
the  state)  I  have  to  request  that  you  will  forthwith  repair  to  East 
Tennessee,  and  use  your  best  exertions  in  hurrying  those  troops 
to  this  point  at  the  earliest  possible  day.    The  character  of  the 
State,  by  the   retrograde    of  the  troops,  and    the   failure    of 
having  in  tlie  field  such  troops  as  were  required  by  the  Secretary 
of  War,  had  like  to  have  been  tarnished.    The  public  service  has 
been  much  retarded  thereby  and  much  injured,  and  the  public 
expense  much  enhanced,    it  is  alone  from  the  exertions  of  men 
of  influence,  that  those  evils  can  be  cured,  the  public  »^^® 
promoted^  and  the  objects  of  the  campaign  brought  to  a  speedy 
and  successful  issue,  whereby  the  high  standing  of  the  l^^pj"*™ 
of  the  state  of  Tennessee  may  be  regained,  which  had  like  to 
have  been  buried  by  the  conduct  of  miscreants  whose  sole  olgect 
is  popular  views  and  self  agxrandivement.    You  have  been  with 
roe— you  have  been  a  faittmil  observer  of  the  passing  scenes, 
and  do  know  that  these  would  be  potriote,  these  *ovm  ink- 
ing boagters,  these  men  who  will  not  act  tfcemsrfves,  o»*»"*J 
fault  with  every  thing,  have  been  destroying  the  true  interea^  oj 
their  country » the  cause  we  are  engaged  in,  and  every  thin||  valua- 
ble to  freemen  to  insure  the  cause  ot  our  countrv,  when  't**'*^® 
in  contact  with  their  own  individual  vintfe,  and  their  owa  vrivate 
turgrandixement.  The  eyes  of  the  faithful  and  experienced  patri- 
ot, one  whose  country's  good  it  has  in  common  with  Wi  follow-citi- 
Eens,  has  seen  and  felt  these  growing  evils.    You  are  one  amongst 
this  number,  in  whose  exertions  I  have  confidence,  and  in  ^hoae 
patriotism  I  rely,  and  who  has  experience,  and  sees  thino  «•  tney 
really  exist,  and  will,  with  the  true  patriotism  of  an  Ansencan, 
aid  tne  present  campaign  to  a  speedy  and  succesaful  issi^e.    1 
therefore  repeat,  that  I  wish  you  to  repair  to  East  Tennessee  and 
use  your  utmost  in  sending  on  the  troops  and  sufficient  supplies  of 
provisions  with  them,  with  which  that  country  abundantly  abounds, 
and  which  have  from  some  unknown  and  strange  cause  been  wrtn- 
holden  from  me.  Your  exfyerience  and  patriotism  are  a  sure  pledge 
to  roe  that  your  beat  exertions  will  be  used  to  promote  the  present 
campaign. 
Receive,  sir,  my  best  wishes,  and  believe  me  to  be  respectfully, 
Your  most  obedient  servant,  _     ^ 

A19DREW  JACKSON.  J%\  Gtn,  Omdg. 
Colonel  WiOinn  Cocke. 


HEAD  QUABTERS   FORT  STROTIIER,  Uxmry  S9th,  1814. 
SIR. 

I  bad  the  honour  of  informing  yon  in  a  letter  of  the  Slst  ult  ibr- 
warded  by  Mr.  M*Candless  (express)  of  anexcurwon  I  contemplat- 
ed making  still  farther  in  the  enemy's  conntry  witii  the  new  raised 


r  ali- 
enor of 
[oEaftt 

troopa 

of  the 
Lure  of 
icretary 
vice  has 
e  public 
I  of  men 

service 
I  speedy 
itnotiam 
{  Uke  to 
>ie  otject 
)een  vith 
V  scenes* 

lien  »«**: 
but  fin* 

nnfvalua- 
en  rt  cam© 
,„»«rii'fl*e 
wed  patn- 
'^lowuaU- 
leavtongst 
i  in  whose 
logliltsthey 
lAjnerican. 

Wssee  and 
t  supplier  ol 
[\y  abettnds» 
\  been  with- 
Uurc  pledge 
the  present 

bspectlully> 


1 29th,  1814. 

ilstttltfiw- 
|contemi»la^t- 

le  new  raised 


$i9 

motunteers  from  fennessee.  I  had  ordered  those  troopg  to  fbriA  * 
Junction  with  me  on  the  10th  instant,  but  they  did  not  arrive  unm 
the  14t)i.  Their  number,  including  officers,  was  about  800 ;  and 
on  the  15th.  I  marched  them  across  the  river  to  graze  their  horses* 
On  the  next  day  I  followed  with  the  remainder  of  ihy  force,  con- 
sisting  of  the  artillery  company  with  one  six-pounder,  one  com- 
pany of  infantry  of  Is  men,  two  companies  of  spies,  commanded 
Dy  captains  Gordon  and  Russell,  of  about  SO  men  each,  and  a 
company  of  volunteer  officers,  headed  by  seneral  Coffee,  who  had 
beim  aliandoned  by  his  men,  and  who  stiU  remained  in  the  field 
awaiting  the  order  of  the  government ;  making  my  force,  excksivv 
of  Indians,  930. 

The  motives  which  induced  me  to  penetrate  still  further  inta 
the  enemy's  country,  with  this  force,  were  many  and  urg^t  'Hie 
term  of  service  of  the  new  raised  volunteers  was  short,  and  a  con', 
siderablie  part  of  it  was  expired ;  they  were  expensive  to  the 
government,  and  were  full  of  ardor  to  meet  the  enemj.  The  ill 
dfbcts  of  keeping  soldiers  of  this  description  long  stationary  and 
idle,  I  had  been  made  to  feel  but  too  sensiMy  already :  other 
causes  concurred  to  make  such  a  movement  not  only  justifiable 
but  absolutely  necessary.  I  had  received  a  letter  from  captain 
M' Alpin,  of  the  5th  instant,  who  commanded  at  Fort  Armstrong* 
in  the  absence  of  colonel  Snodgrass,  Informing  me  that  14  or  15 
towns  of  the  enemy,  situated  on  the  waters  of  the  Talapoosie, 
were  about  uniting  their  forces,  and  attacking  tiiat  place,  which 
had  been  left  in  a  very  feeble  state  of  defence.  You  had  in  yoiilr 
letter  of  the  24th  ult  informed  me  that  general  Floyd  was  about 
to  make  a  movement  to  the  Talapoosie,  near  its  junction  with  the 
Coosee ;  and  in  the  same  letter  had  recommended  temporary  ex- 
cursions against  such  of  the  enemy's  towi:s  or  settlements  as  might 
be  within  striking  distance,  as  well  to  prevent  my  men  from  be- 
coming discontented  as  to  harass  the  «nemy.  Your  ideas  corres- 
ponded exactly  with  my  own,  and  I  was  happy  in  the  opportunity 
of  keeping'my  men  engaged  distressing  the  enemy,  and  at  the 
same  time  making  a  diversion  to  facilitate  the  operations  of  general 
Floyd. 

Determined  by  these  and  other  considerations,  I  took  up  the 
line  of  march  on  die  17th  instant,  and  on  the  night  of  the  18th 
encamped  at  Talleden  Fort,  where  I  was  joined  by  between  two 
and  three  hundred  friendly  Indians ;  sixty-five  of  which  were 
Cherokees,  the  .balance  Creeks.  Here  I  received  your  letter  of 
the  9th  instant,  stating  that  general  Floyd  was  expected  to  make 
a  movement  from  Cowetau  tne  next  day,  and  that  in  ten  days 
thereafter  he  would  establish  a  firm  position  at  Tuckabachet ;  and 
also  a  letter  from  colonel  Snodgrass.  who  had  returned  to  Fort 
Armstrong,  informing  m(B  that  an  attack  was  intended  to  be  soon 
made  on  that  fort,  by  900  of  the  enemy.  li  I  could  have  hesitated 
before,  I  could  now  hesitate  no  longer.  I  resolved  to  lose  no  tim« 
in  meeting  this  force,  which  was  understood  tohav?  beefi  cellect* 


pi: 

.'f 

h 

' 


,1  <l 


I  it  I 


!.;  f  ■  •- 


ed  fr«m  Ne#  Yorcav,  Oakfuskee,  and  TTfauIer  towns,  and  wtiM 
concentrated  in  a  bend  of  the  Talapootie,  near  tne  mouth  of  a  creek 
called  Emuckfaa,  and  on  an  iiland  below  New  Yorcau. 

On  the  morning  of  the  20th,  your  letter  of  the  10th  instant,  for- 
warded by  M'Candless,  reached  me  at  the  Hillibee  Creek,  and 
that  night  I  encamped  at  Enotochopco,  a  small  Hillibee  village 
about  twelve  miles  trora  Emucfau.  Here  I  began  to  perceive  very 
|»lainly  how  little  knowledge  my  spies  had  of  the  country,  of  the 
aituation  of  the  enemy,  or  of  the  distance  I  was  from  them.  The 
insubordination  of  tlie  new  troops,  and  the  want  of  skill  in  most 
of  their  officers,  also  became  more  and  more  apparent.  But  their 
ardor  to  meet  tlie  enemy  was  not  diminished;  and  I  had  a  sure 
reliance  upon  the  guards,  and  Uie  company  of  old  volunteer  offi- 
cers, and  upon  the  spies,  in  all  about  125.  My  wishes  and  my 
duty  remained  united,  and  I  was  detemtined  to  effect,  if  possible, 
the  objects  for  which  the  excursion  had  been  principally  underta- 
ken. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Slat,  I  marched  from  Enotochapco  aa 
direct  as  I  could  Tor  the  bend  of  the  Talapoosie,  and  about  two 
o'clock  P.  M.  my  spies  having  discovered  two  of  the  enemy,  en- 
deavoured to  overtake  them,  but  failed.  In  tlie  evening  1  fell  in 
upon  a  large  trail,  which  led  to  a  new  road,  much  beaten  and  late- 
ly travelled.  Knowing  that  I  must  have  arrived  within  the  neigh- 
Ixnirhood  of  a  strong  force,  and  it  being  late  in  the  day,  I  deter- 
mined to  encamp,  and  reconnoitre  the  country  in  the  night.  I 
chose  the  best  site  the  country  would  admit,  encamped  in  a  hol- 
low square,  sent  out  my  spies  and  pickets,  doubled  my  sentinels, 
and  made  the  necessary  arrancements  before  dark,  for  a  night 
.attack.  About  ten  o'clock  at  night,  one  of  tiie  pickets  fired  at 
three  of  the  enemy,  and  killed  one,  but  he  was  not  found  until  the 
next  day.  At  1 1  ^t'clock  the  spies  whom  1  had  sent  out  returned 
with  information,  thattliere  was  a  large  encampment  of  Indians  at 
the  distance  of  about  three  miles,  wlio  from  their  whooping  and 
dancing  seemed  to  be  apprised  of  our  approach.  One  of  these 
spies,  an  Indian  in  whom  1  had  great  conndence,  assured  me  that 
they  were  carrying  off  their  women  and  children,  and  that  the 
ivarriors  would  either  make  their  escape  or  attack  me  before  day. 
Being  prepared  at  all  points,  nothing  remained  to  be  done  but  to 
await  tneir  approach,  if  they  meditated  an  attack,  or  to  be  in  reat 
diness,  if  they  did  not,  to  pursue  and  attack  them  at  day -light 
While  we  were  in  this  state  of  readiness,  the  enemy,  aliout  six 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  commenced  a  vigorous  attack  on  my  left 
flank,  which  was  vigorously  met :  the  action  continued  to  rage  on 
iny  left  flank,  and  on  the  left  of  my  rear  for  about  half  an  hour. 
The  brave  general  Coffee,  with  colonel  Sitler,  the  adjutant  gene- 
ral, and  colonel  (!arroll,  the  inspector  general,  Uie  moment  the 
firing  commenced,  mounted  their  hones  and  repaired  to  the  line, 
encouranng  and  animating  the  men  to  the  performance  of  their 
duty.    So  soon  as  it  became  light  enough  to  pursue,  the  left  wing 


BOl 


bt^Ag  rattained  the  heat  of  the  action,  and  being  somewhat  weak? 
ened,  was  reinforced  by  captain  Ferrill'i  company  of  infantry^ 
and  was  ordered  and  led  on  to  the  charge  by  general  Coffee,  who 
was  well  supported  by  colonel  Higgins  and  the  inspector  general, 
and  by  all  tne  officers  and  privates  who  composed  that  line.  The 
enemy  was  completely  routed  at  every  point,  and  the  friendly 
Indians  joining  in  the  pursuit,  they  were  chased  about  two  miles 
with  consideraole  slaughter. 

The  chase  being  over,  I  immediately  detached  general  Coffee 
with  400  men  and  all  the  Indian  force  to  bum  their  encampment , 
but  it  wa^  said  by  some  to  be  fortified.  I  ordered  him  m  that 
event  not  to  attaclc  it,  until  the  artillery  could  be  sent  forward  to 
reduce  it.  On  viewing  the  encampment  and  its  strength,  the 
general  thought  it  most  prudent  to  return  to  my  encampment  and 

Suard  the  artillery  thitner.  The  wisdom  of  this  step  was  soon 
iscovered ;  in  half  an  hour  after  his  return  to  camp,  a  considera- 
ble portion  of  the  enemy  made  its  appearance  on  my  ri^t  flank«' 
and  commenced  a  brisk  fire  on  a  party  of  men  who  had  been  on 

Sicket  guard  the  nieht  before,  and  were  then  in  search  of  the  la- 
ians  they  had  fired  upon,  some  of  whom  thev  believe  have  been 
killed.  General  Coffee  immediately  reauestea  me  to  let  him  take  . 
£00  men  and  turn  their  left  flank,  which  I  accordingly  ordered ; 
but  throueh  some  mistake,  which  I  did  not  then  observe,  not  more 
than  54  followed  him,  among  whom  were  the  old  volunteer  officers. 
IVith  these,  however,  he  immediately  commenced  an  attack  on 
the  left  flank  of  the  enemy ;  at  which  time  I  ordered  2U0  of  the 
friendly  Indians  to  fall  in  upon  the  rig^t  flank  of  the  enemy  and 
co-operate  with  the  general.  This  onier  was  promptly  olieyed, 
and  ID  the  moment  of  its  execution,  what  I  expected  was  realized. 
The  enemy  had  intended  the  attack  on  the  right  as  a  feint,  and, 
expectine  to  divert  all  my  attention  thither,  meant  to  attack  me 
again  with  their  main  force  on  the  left  flank,  which  they  had 
hoped  to  find  weakened  and  in  disorderw— They  wei e  disappoint- 
ed. I  had  ordered  the  left  flank  to  remain  firm  to  its  place^  and 
the  moment  the  alarm  gun  was  heard  in  that  quarter,  I  repaired 
thither,  and  ordered  captain  Ferrill,  part  of  my  reserve,  to  support 
it.  The  whole  line  met  tlie  approach  of  the  enemy  with  astonish- 
ing intrepidity,  and  having  givpn  a  few  fires,  they  forthwith 
Ghai|;ed  with  great  vigor.  The  effect  was  immediate  and  inevi- 
table. The  enemy  fled  with  precipitation,  and  were  pursued  to 
a  considerable  distance  by  the  left  flank  and  the  friendlv  Indians, 
with  a  galling  and  destructive  fire.  Colonel  Carroll,  who  order^ 
ed  the  charge,  led  on  the  pursuit,  and  colonel  Higgins  uid  his 
retdment  again  distinguished  themselves. 

In  the  mean  time  general  Coffee  was  contending  with  a  superi- 
or force  of  the  enemy.  The  Indians,  who  1  had  ordered  to  his 
■upport,  and  who  had  set  out  for  this  purpose,  hearing  the  fire  on 
tiie  left,  had  return«*d  to  that  quarter,  and  when  the  enemy  were 
loitad  thtro;  •ntered  int*  the  chase.    That  being  now  over,  I 


1    ';l 


forthwith  ordered  Jim  Fife,  who  was  one  of  the  principal  cum* 
mandertf  of  the  friendly  Creeks,  with  IfO  of  his  warriors,  to  exe- 
cute inj  first  order.  As  soon  as  he  reached  general  Coffee,  the 
charge  was  made  and  the  enemy  routed :  they  were  pursued  about 
tliree  miles,  and  45  of  them  slain,  who  were  found.  General 
Coffee  was  wounded  in  the  body,  and  his  aid-de-camp,  A.  Donald- 
son, killed,  toffether  with  three  others.  Having  brousht  in  and 
buried  the  dead,  and  dressed  the  wounded,  1  twdered  mr  camp 
to  be  fortified,  to  be  the  better  prepared  to  repel  any  attacK  whicK 
might  be  made  in  the  night ;  determined  to  commence  a  return 
liiarch  to  Fort  Strother  the  following  dav. 

Many  causes  concurred  to  make  sucn  a  measure  necessary,  as 
I  had  not  set  out  prepared.  Or  with  a  view  to  make  a  permanent 
establishment  I  considered  it  worse  than  useless  to  aavanceand 
destroy  an  empty  encampment.  I  had,  indeed,  hoped  to  have 
met  the  enemy  there,  but  having  met  and  beaten  tnem  a  little 
sooner,  I  did  not  think  it  necessary  or  prudent  to  proceed  any 
fimher :  not  necessary,  because  i  had  accomplished  all  I  could 
expect  to  effect  by  marching  to  their  encampment ;  and-  because, 
if  it  was  proper  to  contend  with  and  weaken  their  forces  still  fur- 
ther, this  obiect  would  be  more  certainly  attained  by  commeucinar 
a  return,  which,  having  to  them  the  appearance  of  a  retreat,  would 
inspirit  them  to  pursue  me.  Not  prudent,  because  of  the  number 
of  my  wounded,  of  the  reinforcements  from  below  which  the  ene- 
my might  be  expected  to  receive ;  of  the  starving  condition  of  my 
horses,  they  having  had  neither  com  nor  cane  Tor  two  days  and 
nights ;  of  the  scarcity  of  supplies  for  my  men,  the  Indians  wh« 
met  me  at  Talladega,  naving  cirawn  none,  and  being  wholly  desti- 
tute ;  and  because,  if  the  enemy  pursued  me,  as  it  was  likely  they, 
would,  the  diversion  in  favour  or  general  Floyd  would  be  the  more 
complete  and  effectual.  Influenced  by  these  considerations  1 
commenced  ihy  return  march  at  half  past  ten,  on  the  23d,  and 
was  fortunate  enough  to  reach  Enotochopco  before  nig^t,  having 

Eassed  without  interruption  a  dangerous  defile,  occasioned  by  a 
urricane.  I  again  fortified  my  camp,  and  having  another  denle 
to  pass  in  the  morning,  across  a  deep  creek,  and  between  two  hills, 
which  I  had  viewed  with  attention  as  I  passed  on,  and  where  I 
expected  I  might  be  attacked,  I  determined  to  pass  it  at  another 
point,  and  gave  directions  to  my  euide  and  fati^e  men  accord- 
ingly. My  expectation  of  an  attack  in  the  morning  was  increased 
by  the  signs  of  the  night,  and  with  it  my  caution.  Before  I 
moved  the  wounded  Trom  the  interior  of  my  camp,  I  had 
mv  front  and  rear  guards  formed,  as  well  as  my  right  and  left 
columns,  and  moved  oflf  my  centi-e  in  regular  order,  leading  down 
a  handsome  ridge  to  Enotochopco  creek,  at  a  point  where  it  wai 
clear  of  reed,  except  immediately  on  its  margin.  I  had  previously 
issued  a  general  order,  pointing  out  the  manner  in  whicn  the  mea 
should  be  forihed  in  the  event  of  an  attack  on  the  front  or  reaCf 


•r  on  |he  iUnks,  ftnd  had  .particuUrlj  cautioned  the  officers  to 
halt  and  form  accordingly,  the  instant  the  word  should  be  given. 
The  front  guard  had  crosiied  with  part  of  the  flank  columns,  the 
wounded  were  over,  and  the  artillery  in  the  act  of  entering 
the  creek,  when  an  alarm  gun^  was  heard  in  the  rear.    I  heard 
it  without  surprise,  and  even  with  pleasure ;  calculating  with  the 
utmost  confidence  on  the  firmness  of  my  troops,  from  the  manner 
in  which  I  had  seen  them  act  on  the  22d.    I  had  placed  colonel 
Carroll  at  the  head  of  the  centre  column  of  the  rear  ^uard ;  its 
right  column  was  commanded  by  colonel  Perkins,  and  its  left  by 
colonel  Stump.    Having  chosen  the  ground,  I  expected  there  to 
have  entirely  cut  off  the  enemy  by  wheeling  the  right  and  left 
columns  on  their  pivot,  re- crossing  the  creek  above  and  below, 
and  falling  in  ujpon  their  flanks  and  rear.    But  to  my  astonish- 
ment and  mortincation,  when  the  word  was  given  by  colonel  Car- 
roll to  hak  and  form,  and  a  few  guns  had  been  firedf,  I  beheld  the 
riffht  and  left  columns  of  the  rear  guard  precipitately  give  way. 
'Iliis  shameful  retreat  was  disastrous  in  the  extreme ;  it  drew 
ftlong  with  it  the  greatest  part  of  the  centre  column,  leaving  not 
norethan  25  men,MHho  being  formed  by  colonel  Carroll,  maintain- 
ed their  ground  as^  long  as  it  was  possible  to  maintain  it,  and  it 
brought  consternation  and  confusion  into  the  centre  of  the  army, 
a  consternation  which  was  not  easily  removed,  and  a  confusion 
which  could  nut  soon  be  restored  to  order.    There  was  then  left 
to  repulse  the  enemy,  the  few  who  remained  of  the  rear  guard, 
the  artillery  company  and  captain  Russell's  company  of  spies. 
They,  however,  realized  and  exceeded  mv  highest  expectations. 
Lieutenant  Armstrong,  who  commanded  the  artillery  company  in 
the  i^ence  of  captain  Deadrick  (confined  by  sickness),  ordered 
them  to  form  and  advanced  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  whilst  he  and  a 
few  others  dragged  up  the  six  pounder.    Never  was  more  bravery 
displayed  than  on  this  occasion.    Amidst  the  most  galling  fire 
ttom  the  enemy,  more  than  ten  times  their  number,  they  ascended 
the  hill  and  maintained  their  position,  until  their  piece  was  hauled 
mn,  when,  having  levelled  it,  they  poured  upon  the  enemy  a  fire 


In  the  hurry  of  the  mo|^ent  in  separating  the  gun  from  the  lim- 
bers, the  rammer  and  picker  of  the  cannon  were  left  tied  to  the 
limber :  no  sooner  was  this  discovered,  than  Jackson,. amidst  the 
galling  fire  of  the  enemy,  pulled  out  the  ramrod  of  his  musket, 
^and  used  it  as  a  picker;  primed  with  a  cartridge  and  fired  the 
''cannon.  Perkins  having  pulled  off  his  bayonet,  used  his  mus- 
ket as  a  rammer,  drovje  down  the  cartridge ;  and  Jackson,  using 
his  former  plan,  again  discharged  her.  The  brave  lieutenant 
Armstrong,  just  after  the  first  nre  of  the  cannon,  with  captain 
Hamilton,  of  Etist  Tennessee,  Bradf--d and  McGavock,aU  fell, 
Iht  Ueutenant  excUdmiog  as  he  lay,*'  my  brave  fellows,  some  of  you 


J;  1. 


P'  %il 

$  r    mm 

ii 

im 

1 

f:|    ^ 

1 

*        1 

,M 


matffallt  hut  u«u  muiit  §aM  tht  eantum,^^  About  this  time,  t  nvm- 
ber  crosMd  the  creek  and  entered  into  the  chase.  'Hie  brave 
captain  Gordon -of  the  spies,  who  rushed  from  the  front,  endea> 
▼ored  to  turn  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy,  in  which  he  part'.allj 
succeeded,  and  colonel  Carroll,  colonel  Higgins  and  captain* 
Elliot  and  Pipkins  pursued  the  enemy  for  more  than  two  milei, 
who  fled  in  consternation,  throwing  aWay  their  packs,  and  leaving 
twenty-six  of  their  warriors  dead  on  the  field.  This  last  defeat 
was  decisive,  and  we  were  no  more  disturbed  by  their  yells. 
I  should  do  injustice  to  my  feelings  if  I  omitted  to  mention  that 
the  venerable  judge  Cocke,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five,  entered  into 
the  engagement,  continued  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy  with  -uthi- 
ful  ardor,  and  saved  the  life  of  a  fellow  soldier  by  kilKug  hit 
savage  antagonist. 

Our  loss  in  this  affair  was  killed  and  wounded  t  among 

the  former  was  the  brave  captain  Hamilton,  of  East  Teiinc«  *  «• 
who  had,  with  his  a^ed  father  and  two  others  of  his  compar>j^, 
after  the  neriod  of  his  engagement  had  expired,  volunleered  his 
services  for  this  excursion,  and  attached  himself  to  the  artillery 
company.  No  man  ever  fought  more  bravely  or  fell  more  glon- 
ously ;  and  by  his  side  fell  with  equal  bravery  and  glory,  Bird 
Evans  of  the  same  company.  Captain  Quarles,  who  commaadcd 
the  centre  column  of  the  rearguard,  preferring  death  to  abandoning 
his  post,  having  taken  a  firm  stand  in  which  he  was  followed  by 
twenty-five  of  his  men,  received  a  wound  in  his  head  of  which  he 
has  since  died. 

In  these  several  en  easements  our  loss  was  twenty  killed  and 
seventy-five  wounded,"  tour  of  whom  have  since  died.  The  lost 
of  the  enemy  cannot  be  accurately  asci  rtained ;  one  hundred  and 
eighty-nine  of  their  warriors  were  found  dead ;  but  this  must  fall 
considerably  short  of  the  number  really  killed.  Their  wounded 
can  only  be  guessed  at 

Had  it  not  been  for  the  unfortunate  retreat  of  the  rear  guard  in 
the  affair  of  the  24th  instant,  I  think  I  could  safely  have  said 
that  no  army  of  militia  ever  acted  with  more  cool  and  delibe- 
rate  bravery.  Undisciplined  and  inexperienced  as  they  were, 
their. conduct  in  the  several  engagjements  of  thi'  29d  could  not 
have  been  surpassed  by  regulars,  rfo  men  bv<'i  ittct  the  approsnH 
of  an  enemy  with  more  intrepidity,  or  re;  i  'n**;  li  •  ..  with  »..<.*« 
energy.  On  the  24th,  after  the  retreat  c.  (Uc  reav  guard,  they 
seemed  to  have  lost  all  collectedness,  and  were  more  difficult  to 
be  restored  to  order  than  any  troops  1  had  ever  seen.  But  this 
was  no  doubt  owing  in  a  great  measure,  or  altogether,  to  that  very 
r^^treut,  and  ot>ght  ratiier  to  be  ascribed  to  the  want  of  conduct  in 
iiuirof  their  officers  tiian  to  any  cowardice  in  the  men,  who  on 
K-'xsr^  r.  \^c\on  huve  manifested  a  willingness  to  perform  their  du* 
^y  f)0  far  as  they  '..new  it. 

Ail  fhe  effect)*  which  were  designed  to  be  produced  by  this 
excursion,  it  is  believed  have  been  produced.    If  an  attack  was 


I.  they 
suit  to 
It  this 
ktvery 
iuct  in 
j^hoon 
pirdtt- 

[y  this 


M 

iMditatcd  •ganiit  fort  Armitrong,  tfitt  hn  b««n  prtvented.    If 

rinerti  Floird  ii  *>peraiin|ii;  'tn  Hie  «ast  tide  or  the  Talapoosie.  m 
•uppose  him  to  he,  a  nxMt  ltort«Mte  diversion  has  been  mode  in 
hit  Uvoor.  Th«^  number  **'  the  enemy  ha*  been  dimiaiahed.  emd 
^  conidence  li.ey  maj  have  derived  fr«in  the  deiays  I  have 
been  made  to  experience,  hat  been  dettroved.  Dticor'^nt  has 
been  kept  oat  of  my  army,  while  the  troops  whe  hive  been  espos«l 
to  it,  have  been  beneilciallj  emfdoyed.  The  enemj*8  coentrr 
hne  been  explored,  and  a  road  cut  to  the  point  where  thev  will 
bo  concentrated  when  they  shalUbe  driven  from  th«  countrj  oelow. 
Bat,  in  a  report  of  this  kind,  and  to  you  who  %dll  immediately 
percoive  them,  it  is  not  necessary  to  state  the  h«ppy  conseonenooa 
which  may  be  expected  to  result  from  this  evrurskin.  Unless  1 
am  ^atly  mistaken,  it  will  be  found  to  have  hastened  the  termi- 
nation of  the  Creek  war,  more  effectualty  than  any  meaaure  I 
could  have  taken  with  the  troops  under  my'conuMtnd. 

I  am,  6cc. 

ANDREW  JACKSOX, 

Jfi^,  Gen,  Ttnnuau  VolwHUmr, 
UBJiot  fsneisl  ThonMS  I^nckoey. 


SIR. 


CHARLESTON,  Juiu«y  31it,  1814. 


I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  that  yesterday  momini^ 
about  4  o'clock,  I  received  informauon  express  from  Stono,  that 
the  United  States*  schooner  Alligator  had  been  the  e^rMiing  before 
chased  in  by  an  enemy's  squadron,  and  attacked  in  the  nignt  by  a 
detachment  of  boats.    I  immediately  repaired  to  the  place,  and 
ordered  two  barges  round,  and  a  detachment  of  teamen  overland* 
§nm  the  Nonsnch,  to  her  assistance.    About  8  A.  M.  I  got  on 
board  the  Alli|;ator,  then  some  distance  up  the  river.    I  received 
the  following  information  from  uuling  master  Baatett,  her  com- 
nuHkler ;  that  he  sailed  on  Saturday  morning  from  the  river  of 
N«rtk  Bdisto,  fur  Charleston.    Soon  after  leaving  the  bar,  diHco- 
v»red  an  enemy's  squadron,  consisting  of  a  frigate,  a  heavy  brig* 
tad  a  hermaphrodite,  which  nve  chace  to  him— wind  light  from 
tihe  south-west ;  he  found  mat  the  frigate  would  cut  him  off 
froM  Chariett«m,  and  in  the  evening  run  into  the  river  and 
hove  to;  the  enemy  then  clote  oflT  the  bar;  and  from  their 
nHM«vres  was  of  opinion  they  intended  to  tend  in  their  boats. 
He  steed  up  tlie  river  about  two  milea,  and  anchored,  prepped 
for  actioB.  About  a  quarter  before  fr'  P.  M.  the  moon  very  bnght* 
diaeovered  six  of  the  enemy's  boate  sh<ive  off  from  under  tbo 
mar^  abroMt  him,  and  wttmn  pistol  shot  (having  under  cover  of 
the  marsh,  with  muAed  oara,  approaiched  this  near  williout  diaco- 
very),  he  immediately  gave  diem  a  broadside,  whieh  wm  retnraeds 

39 


la 

i 


H'i 


» 


i 

» ■ '     r. 

1^      'i 


I 


'J.,  '■. 

i»'  ■ 
«?• 

I  I! 


atxt  hii  caUc  and  made  sail,  when  the  action  continued  for  36  min-^ 
utes,  close  on  board ;  soon  after  making  way,  the  pilot  was  unfortu- 
natelj  mortally  wounded,  and  the  schooner  grounded ;  at  this  time 
their  2  lareest  barges  were  disabled,  and  about  musket  shot  distance 
astern,  when  they  retreated  and  have  not  since  been  seen.  The 
Alligator's  ri^ng  and  sails,  from  the  topsail  yard  down,  are  lite- , 
rally  cut  to  pieces,  and  but  few  shot  in  her  hull,  two  men  killed  and 
two  wounded,  one  severely,  and  the  pilot  (Mr.  Hatch,  a  very 
rr  lectable  master  of  a  vessel  in  this  port,  having  a  large  family 
di  ending  entireljr  on  his  exertions  for  support)  tuortally  wound- 
ed. Great  credit  is  due  to  sailing  master  Bassett,  his  officers  and 
crew,  for  defeating  a  force  so  greatly  superior  in  numbers,  as  there 
eould  not  have  been  less  than  140  men  opposed  to  forty.  The 
enemy,  by  the  information  received  from  the  inhabitants  immedi- 
ately on  uie  river,  must  have  suffered  severely,  as  there  was  great 
confusion  on  board  them  while  retreating,  and  the  largest  boat 
appeared  to  be  so  much  injured  as  to  require  the  assistance  of  the 
otiiers.  I  left  the  schooner  last  night  in  Wappoo  Cut,  and  she  will 
be  here  as  soon  as  the  weather  will  permit  When  I  receive  Mr. 
Bassett's  official  report,  I  shall  do  myself  the  honour  to  forward  it, 
for  your  further  information. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 


Hon.  Wm.  Junes,  Secretaiy  of  the  Navy. 


J.  H.  DENT, 


, :;,, 


Extract*  of  UUm  fromgemral  Floyd  to  general  PUiekney, 
CAMP  NEAR  FORT  HALL,  Febnuiy  9d,  1814. 

**  I  arrived  with  the  army  at  this  place  yesterday.  I  apprised 
you  in  my  last  of  the  necessity  of  falling  back.  The  arrival  of 
twelve  wagons  in  the  evening,  the  prospect  of  reinforcements,  and 
the  handsome  terms  in  which  you  have  been  pleased  to  approbate 
the  conduct  of  the  army  in  the  late  affair  with  the  enemy,  I  flat- 
ter myself  will  contribute  to  the  accomplishment  of  my  lid>ors  to 
preserve  the  honour  and  reputation  of  the  army.  I  now  enter- 
tain a  gleam  of  hope  that  things  will  end  well.  No  means  on  my 
part  have  or  will  be  neglected  to  effect  so  desirable  an  ob|ect,t 
Reuoning,  seasoned  wiui  threats  of  the  consequences,  and  the 
direful  effects  which  followed  the  improper  conduct  of  the  New 
York  militia,  have  been  represented  in  strong  terms;  nor  have  I 
omitted  to  remind  them  of  their  pledges  to  the  government  to 
brave  dangers,  encounter  toil  and  endure  privation— to  risk  life 
and  fortune  in  support  of  the  common  cause.  You  may  rest  as- 
sured that  I  shall  employ  all  the  means  ia  my  power  to  promote 
the  imblio  interests 


<^  Shite  kV  report  of  the  battle  of  the  2rth.  T  tim  welf  Msat^, 
that  seven  of  the  enemy's  slain  have  been  found  in  one  grave  in 
Canlibee  swamp,  and  five  others  in  an  adjacent  one.  Accept 
my  acknowledgments  for  the  terms  in  wnich  you  have  been 
pleased  to  approbate  my  conduct<^-my  endeavours  to  continue  t« 
merit  it  will  be  unremitting." 

r  *«februuy3d,l814. 

'*  I  am  informed  that  the  enemy  are  in  possession  of  our  works 
at  Camp  Defiance,  on  their  vray  to  attack  us,  which  in  all  proba- 
bility they  will  attempt  to  night.  We  are  well  prepared,  and 
will  g^ve  a  |;ood  account  of  them,  if  they  attempt  the  execution 
of  their  designs,  I  this  morning  sent  off  the  most  of  our  wound- 
ed and  sick.'' 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  FORT  STROTHER,  Februaiy  l/tb,  1814. 


son  my 
object.< 
and  the 
he  New 
have  I 
ment  to 
risk  life 
rest  as< 
imote 


Your  two  letters  of  the  8th  and  14th  instant,  have  been  receiv- 
ed, but  from  the  continued  hurry  of  business  with  which  I  am 
surrounded,  I  have  not  had  time  to  answer  them  until  now. 

The  importance  of  the  service  vou,  have  rendered,  and  the 
deep  interest  you  have  taken  in  forwarding  my  views  and  the 
objects  of  the  campaien,  command  mr  sincere  thanks.  I  hope 
you  will  continue  to  aid  in  procuring  me  means  and  transporting 
tlie  supplies  to  this  place :  the  active  exertions  of  a  patriot  of  «up- 
ty-Jive  mars  of  age,  wiU  eeriaiiUy  etimuUde  the  youtMul  soldier 
to  his  duty  t  such  examples  have  become  necessary ;  I  find  those 
who  talk  most  of  war  and  make  the  greatest  huatCt  about  our  in- 
jured rights  at  home,  are  l/ie  last  to  step  forward  in  vindication  of 
^lose  rights.  Patriotism  is  an  appendage  which  such  men  wear 
as  a  coquette  does  a  fine  ribband,  mere^  for  show,  and  to  be  laid 
aside  or  applied  as  necessity  aiay  require. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON, 

Major  general  commanding* 
^'olond  William  Cocke. 


UNITED  STATES  FRIGATE  PttBSfDFjrr, 

SANDY  HOOK  BAY,Febniaty  19th,  1814. 

SIR, 

I  have  to  acquaint  you^  that  I  arrived  at  my  present  aa« 
chorage  last  evening  at  5  o'clock,  after  a  cruize  of  seventy-fivt 
days,  and  now  have  the  honour  to  detail  to  you  the  {Murticulara 
In  pursuance  to  your  directions,  I  sailed  from  Providence  the 
dth  December ;  and  although!  expected  to  have  run  the  gauntlet 


li 


j(M 


T^ 


h  ! 


through  the  enemr's  squadron,  that  was  rejiorted  to  be  cruizing 
betueen  Block  Island  and  Gajhead  for  the  purpose  of  intercept* 
Ibk  the  President,  I  had  the  good  luck  to  avoid  them.    The  day 
liiuer  leaving  Providence,  I  re-captured  the  American  schooner 
Comet,  of,  and  bound  to,  New  York,  with  a  car^o  of  cotton  from 
Savannah,  which  had  been  captured  by  the  Ramilies  and  Loire, 
and  in  their  possession  about  48  hours.    In  a  few  hours  after  re- 
capturing the  Comet,  a  sail  was  discovered  to  the  eastward, 
which  1  felt  inclined  to  avoid,  from  the  circumstan<6e  of  the  wea- 
ther being  haxy,  and  knowing  that  I  was  in  the  nei^bourhood  of 
an  enemy's  squadron.    From  an  advantage  of  wind,  she  'was 
enabled,  however  to  gain  our  lee  beam  at  a  distance  of  three  or 
four  miles,  owing  to  whibh  I  was  induced  to  shorten  sail,  with 
the  intention  of  offering  her  battle  in  the  morning,  should  nothing 
else  be  in  sight,  and  she  not  be  a  ship  of  the  line.    The  weather 
becoming  more  obscure  at  2  o'clock,  prevented  our  seeing  her  un- 
til day -light,  when  she  stood  from  us  to  the  north  east,  although 
th%  President  was  hove  to,  to  let  her  come  up.    From  this  date 
until  the  25th,  we  did  not  see  a  single  sail,  except  the  Recovery 
(a  brig  belonging  and  bound  to  Penobscot,  from  St.Bartholomew,  in 
ballast)  until  after  reaching  the  longitude  of  35,  and  latitute  19, 
being  carried  thatfar  eastward  by  a  severe  S.  W.  gale,  accom|)anied 
by  such  a  heavy  sea,  as  to  render  heaving  to  impracftcable  without 
infinite  risk,  when  two  large  sail  were  discovered  standing  to  the 
northward,  and  to  which  I  gave  chase,  believing,  as  well  from  the 
situation  in  which  they  were  first  discovered,  as  the  manifest  dis- 
position they  afterwards  showed  to  avoid  a  separation,  that  one 
was  a  frigate  and  the  other  an  Indiaman  under  her  convoy  ;  in 
this  1  was  mistaken,  for  on  a  nearer  approach  (  could  discover 
the  headmost  was  a  frigate  with  seven  ports  abaft  her  gan^ay, 
and  the  other  a  ship  of  equal  or  little  inferior  force.    On  discov- 
ering their  decided  superiority,  and  supposing  tiiem  to  be  enemy's 
ships,  I  endeavored,  duringthe  succeeding  night,  to  separate  them 
by  steering  different  courses,  and  occasionally  shewing  a  light, 
but  was  unable  to  succeed,  for  the  headmost  was  at  one  time  so 
near  that  she  fired  a  shot  over  us,  whilst  her  consort  was  but  a 
few  hundred  yards  astern  of  her.     I  now  directed  our  course  to 
be  altered,  made  sail,  and  continued  the  remainder  of  the  night 
to  shew  them  light  occasionally,  but  to  no  effect,  as  at  day -light 
they   were  discovered  to  be  in   a  situation  to  uni:  ?   their  force. 
After  this  I  shaped  a   courf>e  to  reach  a  position  to  windward  of 
Barbadoes,  on  a  parallel  of  longitude  with  Cayenne,  and  did  not 
meet  another  vessel  till  the  dOth,  when  falling  in  with  a  Portu- 
guese brig,  and  receiving  information  that  she  had  been  boarded 
36  hours  before  by  two  British  store  ships,  btnind  to  the  West  In- 
dies with  300  troops  on  board,  I  crowded  sail  to  the  westward  in 
the  hope  of  overtaking  them ;  in  this  I  was  again  disappointed, 
and  after  a  pursuit  of  four  days,  hauled  fjirther  southwoi'd  to  gain 
the  latitude  of  Barbadoes ;  and  in  that  situation,  on  the  5Ui  of 


<■■  1  '■ 


309 

JftnaaiT  captured  the  British  merchant  ship  Wanderer,  of  7  gu&9 
and  16  ineD,  from  London  bound  to  Jamaica,  partly  loaded  with 
plantation  stores,  and  after  taking  from  her  such  light  articles  as 
were  of  most  value,  sunk  her.    In  the  same  position,  on  tiie  7th,. 
I  fell  in  with  the   British   merchant  ship  Prince  George,   in 
tlie  character  of  a  cartel  with  prisoners,  which,  with  4  other 
British  vessels,  had  been  captured  by  two  French  44  gun  frigates,  the 
Medusa  and  Nymph,  the  same  ships  I  had  fallen  in  with  14  days- 
before.    On  board  of  the  Prince  George  I  sent  the  prisoners  cap- 
tured in  the  Wanderer  to  Barbadoes,  on  parole.    On  the  9th  of 
Januarv,  while  still  to  windward  of  Barbadoes,  I  captured   the 
ship  Edward,  of  6  guns  aud  8  men,  from  LonClon  bound  to  Laguira, 
in  ballast — which  vessel  I  also  sunk.    Having  learned  from  the 
master  of  the  Edward  as  well  as  the  Wanderer  and  Prince  George, 
that  they  had  been  separated  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay  from  their  con- 
voy, consisting  of  the  Queen  74,  two  frigates,  and  two  sloops  of 
war,  I  was  induced,  owing  to  a  belief  that  the  convoy  was  still  to  the 
eastward,  to  remain  to  windward  of  Barbadoes  until  the  16th 
January,  when  finding  they  must  have  passed,  I  changed  my 
^und  and  ran  off  Cayenne,  and  from  thence  down  the  coast  of 
Surinam,  Berbice  and  Demarara,  though  between  Tubago  and 
Grenada,  thence  through  the  Caribbean  sea,  along  the  southeast 
side  of  Porto  Rico,  through  the  Mona  passage,  down  (^e  north 
side  of  Jamaica,  and  otlier  leeward  islands,  without  meeting  a 
single  vessel  of  the  enemy,  or  any  other  than  four  Spanish  dred- 
gers and  one  Swedish  ship,  until  I  got  near  the  Manilla  reef ; 
near  which,  after  captunng  and  sinking  the  British  schooner 
Jonathan,  loaded  with  rum  and  dry  goods  (the  most  valuable  part 
of  which  [  took  on  board)  I  hauled  over  for  the  Florida  shore  and 
struck  soundings  off  St.  Augustine,  and  from  thence  run  on  sound- 
H     as  far  as  Charleston,  passing  within  4  or  5  miles  of  Colum- 
Iria  island,  and  as  near  to  savannah  as  the  weather  and  depth  of 
water  would  allow,  without  meeting  a  single  vessel  except  a 
Spanish  ship  from  the  Havanna  bound  to  Spain,  but  steering  for 
Savannah  in  consequence  of  having  sprung  a  leak. 

Arriving  off  Charleston,  (which  was  on  the  11th  instant,)  I 
stretched  close  in  with  the  Bar,  and  made  the  private  signal  of 
the  day  to  two  schooners  lying  in  Rebellion  Roads,  and  which, 
from  tficir  appearance,  I  believed  to  be  public  vessels.  After  re- 
maining all  day  olf  the  Bar,  with  colours  hoisted,  and  the  before- 
mentioned  signal  displayed,  without  being  able  to  communicate 
with  the  schooners,  I  stood  to  the  northward,  and  at  seven  o'clock 
the  next  morning,  discovered  and  chased  a  ship  to  the  southward, 
which,  after  pursuing  eight  or  nine  miles,  led  me  to  a  second  sail, 
(a  brig  under  her  topsails,  with  her  top-gallant  masts  housed,  and 
her  Hying  gib-boom  ri^ed  in),  and  from  thence  to  the  discovery 
of  a  third  sail,  represented  from  the  mast-head  to  be  a  large  fri- 

Site ;  on  discovering  the  third  sail,  added  to  the  manouvres  of  the 
rst  and  second,  1  was  induced  to  believe  them  part  of  an  enc- 


■ji-i 


Sl» 


■■:,    i 


inj'A8<)u«dron»  and  accordinglj  hauled  up  and  itood  for  the  fonner^ 
to  ascertain  her  character;  and  after  making  her  from  the  deck, 

Eerceived  she  was  a  fri^te  as  reported.    1  now  shortened  sail, 
elieving  that  towards  n;ght  I  mignt  be  able  to  cut  off  the  ship, 
(which  was  either  a  small  fri^te  or  large  sloop  of  war.)  and  brig^ 
from  the  third  or  largest  sail,  at  this  time  nine  or  ten  miles  to 
wmdward  ;  in  this,  however,  I  was  not  able  to  effect  my  purpose, 
owing  to  the  weather-sail  (between  sun-set  and  dark)  bearing  aown 
for  the  others*    Judging  now  from  their  manouvres,  that  after 
dark  they  would  chase,  I  stood  to  the  eastward,  under  short  sail  i 
believii^  thatin  the  morning  I  might  find  them  in  some  disorder; 
at  daj-lig^t,  however,  owing  to  the  haziness  of  the  weather,  thej 
were  not  to  be  seen ;  conse(|uentlj,  I  wore  and  stood  back  to  the 
westwaitl  to  make  them  agam,  and  in  a  few  minutes  discovered 
two,  one  on  the  lee,  the  other  on  the  weather  bow,  to  which  1  gave 
chace,  but  after  chasine  them  about  half  an  hour,  the  weather  be- 
coming more  clear,  ana  two  lai^  ships  suddenly  making  their 
appearance,  one  on  the  weather  and  the  other  on  the  lee  beam,  I 
cnaneed  my  course  to  the  eastward,  when  the  four  immediately 
crowded  sail  in  pursuit ;  but  owing  to  the  weather,  assisted  by 
the  enemy's  manner  of  chasing,  I  was  enabled  to  get  clear  of  them 
without  difficulty  in  a  few  hours.    From  this  1  pursued  a  course 
on  soundings  (except  in  doubling  Cape  Hatteras)  to  eighteen  fa- 
thorn  water  off  the  Delaware,  where,  in  a  fog,  I  teU  in  with  a  lai|;e 
vessel  apparently  a  man  of  war.    Shortened  sail  to  topsails  and 
cleared  snip  fcr  action,  but  she  suddenly  disappearing,  and  in  a 
few  minutes  she,  or  some  other  vessel  near,  being  heard  to  fire 
signal  guns,  I  stood  on  to  the  northward,  from  a  belief  I  was  near 
another  squadron.    From  the  Delaware  I  saw  nothing  until  I 
made  Sandy  Hook,  when  I  again  fell  in  with  another  of  the  enemy** 
squadrons,  and  bv  some  unaccountable  cause  was  permitted  to 
enter  the  bar,  although  in  the  presence  of  a  decidedly  superior 
force,  after  having  been  obligea  to  remain  outside  seven  hours 
and  a  half  waiting  for'the  tide. 

I  am,  &c. 

JOHN  HODOERS. 
Ilea.  Wm.  Joiie%  Secretaiy  of  the  Kavy, 


BRITISH  VERACITY. 
Surgeon  «flmos  w^.  Evans  to  the  Publie, 

'   BOSTON,  March,  18l4i 
Having  latdy  seen  in  the  British  Naval  Chronicle,  for  Majr 
' ,  a  publication  signed  Thomas  Cook  Jones,  surgeon  of  his  Bri- 
jiic  majesty's  late  ship  Java;  in  which  accusations  of  ill  treat- 
ment tOMrards  the  British  wounded  prisoners,  whilst  on  board  the 
United  States*  fKg»te  Constitution,  under  the  command  of  com-' 


last 
tannic 


^'*i'  ■: 


"Vft* 


Itreat- 
com" 


311 

aadoreBftinbridka,  are  brought  forward ;  I  conceive  it  nj  dvtfi 
lett  silence  ahoild  be  construed  into  an  aclcnowledgement  of  na 
correctnesti  to  expose  some  of  the  falsehoods  composing  that  state- 
ment. After  introducing  himself  with  considerable  egotism,  and 
much  parade  of  professional  skill,  he  makes  the  foUoMring  observa- 
tions : 

"Their  (tiie  British  wounded)  removal  to  the  Constitution,  the 
deprivations  thej  tiiere  experienced  as  to  food,  and  the  repeated 
disturbances  thej  suffered  bj  being  carried  below,  and  kept  there 
for  Several  hours,  three  different  times,  on  the  report  of  an  enem j 
heaving  in  sight :  when  these,  I  say,  are  considered,  and  the  results 
contrasted  with  those  of  the  American  wounded,  four  of  whom 
who  lost  their  limbs  died  when  I  was  on  board,  were  laid  in  cots, 

{tlaced  in  the  most  healthy  parts  of  the  ship,  provided  with  every 
ittle  luxury  from  competent  and  attentive  nurses,  and  not  allow- 
cd  to  be  removed,  when  ours  were  thrust  into  the  hold  with  the 
other  prisoners,  the  hatches  at  once  shutting  out  light  and  fresh 
air,  and  this  too  in  the  latitude  of  St.  Salvador,  the  recovery  of  our 
seamen  appears  as  miraculous  as  it  proved  happy;  and  truly 
evinced  both  resignation  and  courage  in  patiently  subroittinff, 
without  a  complaint,  to  the  cruelties  of  their  situation,  and  firmly 
conteniiing  with  every  obstacle  which  chance  or  oppression  could 
present  or  inflict.  The  Americans  seemed  verv  desirous  not  to 
allow  any  of  our  officers  to  witness  the  nature  of  their  wounded,  or 
compute  their  numbers.  I  ordered  one  of  my  assistants,  Mr. 
Caponi,  to.  attend,  when  their  assistant  went  round,  and  he 
enumerated  forty-six  who  were  unable  to  stir  from  their  cots, 
independent  of  those  who  had  received  what  they  called*  *'  slight 
hurts.**  Commodore  Bainbridge  waa  severely  wounded  in  the 
right  thigh*  and  four  of  tiieir  amputations  perished  under  mj 
inspection. 

**  I  have  noticed  these  facts,  that  your  readers  may  be  convinc- 
ed of  the  falsity  of  their  officiid  despatches,  and  to  authorize  tiieir 
being  received  with  some  degree  of^scepticism. 

*'  1  sent  my  assistant,  with  most  of  tne  wounded  men,  in  the 
evening,  and  remained  myself  in  the  Java,  till  within  a  few  mi" 
nutes  of  her  being  set  on  fire :  one  poor  fellow  only  remained, 
who  had  received  a  musket  ball,  whicii  entered  the  rignt  orbit  and 
remuned  imbedded  in  the  brain :  he  was  in  arHado  mortts,  and  I 
ben^d  die  American  lieutenant  to  let  me  sta^  with  him  undis- 
turiwd  for  a  few  minutes,  as  I  expected  his  unmediate  dissolu- 
tion. 

'*Thia  Yankee  son  of  humanity  proposed  assisting  him  into 
eternity;  I  instantly  dragged  him  into  the  boat,  and  he  expired 
alon||  side  the  Constitution," 

It  is  not  true  that  there  wia  any  distinction  made  between  the 
British  and  American  wounded :  tiiey  were  aluQg  promiscuously 
together  on  tiie  fntn  4ick,  and  every  thing  which  humanity  could 
dictate  that  the  ship  afforded,  was  provided  for  their  comfort  and 


-^1 


■  ii, 


ill'!' 


■  K  i 


•    p 


■  1 


■  ■■■''?  m  i. 


?!,. 


ii 


cMToniwe*.    Thii  ihip  wat  cleared  for  action  M  onea  <tekinc  Che 
time  they  were  on  board ;  that  waa  when  the  Hornet  hoirt  in  nglit, 
and  aa  ioon  as  her  character  covld  be  aicertained^  all  the  wound- 
ed»  British  and  American,  were  brought  on  thfs  gnn  deck  togetiier. 
CaptMn  Lambert  and  Mr  Waldo,  were  the  only  two  persons  not 
removed  to  the  birth  deck  on  this  occasion;  the  former  was 
l«ft  to  the  last  moment,  from*  principles  of  delicacy  us  well  as 
humanity.    Every  exertion  was  made  to  land  the  pnsoners  at  St. 
Salvador  as  soon  as  possible,  that  they  might  be  '*  provided  witii 
every  little  luxury  irom  competent  and  attentive  nurses,"  tfaait 
our  men  of  course  could  not  receive  on  board. 
, .  It  is  equally  false  that  we  had  forty  -six  men  wounded.  **  Slight 
hurts**  anil  aU  others  included,  there  were  twenty'jtMoiUjf.  Why 
request  his  asustact  to  attend  for  the  porpoae  oi  counting  them, 
when  doctor  Jones  himself^  or  any  other  offi^r  on  board,  could 
have  enumerated  them,  if  he  chose,  an  hundred  times  a  day  i  Tte 
doctor  says  four  of  our  amputations  perished  under  his  own  in- 
spection.   We  had  but  five  amputationi  altogether }  four  of  them 
are  now  receiving  pensi<ms  from  their  country,  and  mny  be  seen 
almost  any  day  about  the  Navy  Yard  at  Charlestown  |  and  the  fifth 
4ied  of  a  malignant  fever,  north  df  the  equator  one  month  after  the 
aetion.    It  is  a  fact,  susceptible  of  the  clearest  and  most  positive 
proof,  that  not  one  qf  our  mm  died  during  the  time  the  doctor 
was  on  bou^  the  Constitution,  nor  until  some  time  after  we  left 
St  Salvador. 

"This  Yankee  son  of  humanity  proposed  aasistinc  him  into 
eternity,''  &c.  No  man  who  knows  lieutenant  Hoffman,  will 
hesitate  to  nronounce  <loetor  Jones  an  infamous  calumniator.  He 
Untenant  iloffinan)  w  as  remarkable  for  goodness  of  heart,  for 
humane  and  tender  feelings,  for  gentlemanly  and  cmreot  conduct, 
as  doctor  Jonee  now  is  for  his  eapacity  to  assert  base  and  unqua- 
lified tUsehoods.  Lieutoiant  (then  mid^mnan)  German,  who 
was  present  when  this  man  was  removed  from  the  Java,  and 
-whose  word  no  one  will  question,  asserts  that  no  such  observaticm 
was  made ;  on  the  contrary,  thi^  he,  (Mr.  O.)  by  the  ordeirS  of 
lieutenant  Hoffman,  repeatedly  solicited  doctor  Jones  to  visit  th^ 
man  then  spoken  of,  and  endeavor,  if  possible,  to  -  relieve 
him  ;  but  that  he  negleetedertin  to  see  him,  until  they  wene  ready 
to  leave  the  shin,  when  he  waa  removed  into  the  boat  at  the  doe- 
tor's  request  If  tile  doctor*!  charge  had  been  founded  in  truti^ 
would  he  not  have  reported  lieutenant  Hoffnaan  immediatelr  on 
his  arrival  at  the  Constitntionf  The  ward  room  officers  of  the 
Constitnfion  will  recollect  to  have  heard  doctor  Jones  fi-eonently 
spoken  of  during  the  cruize  as  an  inhuman  monster  for  his  con- 
duct to  this  same  unfortunate  sailor. 

I  leave  the  punishment  dae  his  presifknption  fw  calling  in  Ques- 
tion "q^^ciol  ieeptitehes,**  (after  tfiivinK  fabrieated  himself  such  a 
tissue  of  assertimis,  witluHit  even  a  coloring  of  tnfth)  to  die  ftrtt 


yfUll 


418^ 


iround- 

ros  not 
«r  wu 
well  M 
*»  at  St. 
ed  with 
H**  ifaat 

• 

^  my 

ig  them* 
d,  could 
ji  The 
ownitt" 
'  of  them 
f  be  wen 
1  the  fifth 
afUTth0 
tpoaitive 
le  doctor 
tr  we  left 

I  him  inAo 
nan,  will 
ator.  He 
heart,  for 
conduct, 
d  unqua- 
man,  who 
ava,  and 
irvation 
orderaof 
visit  the 
relieve 
ere  read  j 
thedoe- 
in  tru^ 
liatdv  on 
Ts  of  the 
^iK^ntly 
|r  hiB  con* 

;ln4«e8- 

tlfracha 

tlieftnt 


•fflcer  of  the  Constitution,  who  may  hate  the  good  fortune  of  uA 
•pportunitv  of  taking  him  by  the  nose* 

When  the  officers  of  the  Java  left  the  Constitution  at  St.  Salvia 
dor,  they  expressed  the  warmest  j^pratitude  for  the  humane  and 
l^nerous  treatment  they  had  expenenced ;  nor  was  this  contempt 
tible  hypocrite  sparing  of  his  acknowledgments  on  that  occasioai 
After  naving  suffered  every  thing  from  the  oflBcers  of  the  Consti- 
tution *'  opwremon  could  infiict/*  why  come  forward  and  offer 
thanks  for  Kind  and  handsome  treatment  ?  ^See  letters  of  general 
Hislop  and  others.] 

To  complete  the  climax  of  f&lse  assertions  relative  to  that  ac" 
count,  one  of  the  lieutenants  of  the  Java,  in  a  letter  to  the  editor 
of  the  Naval  Chronicle  for  June,  asserts,  that  I  am  *'  an  Irishman 
J*'  birtk,  and  was  lately  an  atiHstanisurgedn  in  the  British  ^avyP* 
The  trulh  is,  I  was  born  in  the  state  of  Maryland,  and  had  never 
been  on  the  ocean,  except  in  the  service  of  my  country*  Ipledee 
myself  to  gnbstantiate,  by  the  moft  respectable  testimony,  should 
it  be  necessaryi  every  thing  th&t  I  have  here  stated* 

I  challenge  the  British  to  give  a  solitary  instance,  where  the^ 
have  given  a  faithful  and  candid  relation  of  the  result  of  their 
actions  with  us,  since  the  declaration  of  the  present  war.  They 
have,  of  late,  established  for  themselves,  a  kind  of  national  cha~ 
racter,  that,  I  trust,  none  will  envy  them  the  possession  of;  they 
have  proved  that  although  they  may  not  always  be  able  to  conquer 
in  battle,  they  can  prevaricate,  defame  or  mistake  with  as  much 
4iase  as  any  nation  on  earth. 

AMOS  A.  EVANS. 

Surgeon  of  the  United  States  frigaie  Constitution* 


sm. 


OfiTROlT,  Blaicii  Ttb,  ISti. 


By  lieutenant  Shannon,  of  the  Srth  regiment  of  the  United  States^ 
infantry,  I  have  the  honour  of  informing  you,  that  a  detachment 
of  the  troops  under  my  command,  led  by  captain  Holmes  of  the 
S4th  regiment  of  United  States  infantry,  have  obtained  a  signal 
victory  over  the  enemy. 

The  affair  took  place  on  the  4th  instant*  about  lOO  miles  froift 
this  place,  on  the  river  de  French.  Our  force,  consisted  of  no 
more  than  l60  rangers  and  mounted  infantry.  The  enemv« 
from  their  own  acknowledgment,  had  about  240.  The  fine  lignt 
company  of  Royal  Scots,. is  totally  destroyed  ;  they  led  the  at- 
tack most^ianUv,  and  their  oommander  fell  within  ten  paces  of 
our  front  line.    Trie  lightr  company  of  the  89th  has  also  suffered 

verely,  one  officer  or  that  company  fell,  one  is  a  prisoner^  and 


w 


\  k 


m 


(mother  is  said  to  be  badly  wounaed.  In  killed,  wounded^  and  pri- 
soners, the  enemy  lost  about  80,  whilst  on  our  part  thoro  w«(« 
4« 


lifi 


but  four  killed  and  four  wounded.  This  great  ditparitjin  the  loss 
on  each  side,  is  to  be  attributed  to  the  very  judicious  position  oc^- 
cupied  by  captain  Holmes,  who  compelled  tl*e  enemv  to  attack  him 
at  great  disadvantage ;  this,  even  more  than  his  gallantry,  meritt 

Captain  Holmes  has  just  returned,  and  will  furnish  a  detailed 
account  of  ihe  expedition,  which  shall  immediately  be  transmitted 

to-you. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  BUTLER, 
Lieutenant  colonel  cwnmanding  at  Detroit. 
Major  general  Hatruon. 

Enemy^s  forces  as  stated  by  the  prisoners : 

Royal  Scots,  101 :  89th  Regiment,  45  ;  Militia,  50;  Indians, 
40  to  eo^total,  236.  . 

P.  S.  We  took  100  head  of  cattle  also  from  the  enemy,  in* 
tended  for  Long  Point  or  Burlington. 


» i. 


FORT  COVINGTON,  March  10th,  1814. 

8IR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  submit  in  writing,  that  the  expedition  sent 
under  my  command  against  the  enemy's  posts,  by  your  special 
onlers  of  the  21st  ultimo,  had  the  good  fortune,  on  the  4th  in« 
stant,  to  meet  and  subdue  a  force,  double  its  own,  fresh  from  the 
barracks,  and  led  by  a  distineuished  officer. 

I  had  been  compelled  to  leave  the  artillery  by  the  invincible 
difficulties  of  the  route  from  Point  au  Plait  to  the  Round  O.  No 
wheel  carriage  of  any  kind  had  ever  attempted  it  before,  and  none 
will  ever  pass  it  until  the  brush  and  fallen  timber  are  cut  away, 
and  the  swamp  cause- waved  or  drained.  After  joining  captain 
Gill,  C  began  the  inarch  for  Fort  Talbot,  but  was  soon  convinced 
of  its  being  impossible  to  reach  the  post,  in  time  to  secure  any 
force  which  miglit  be  there  or  adjacent.  This  conviction,  united 
'with  the  information,  that  the  enemy  had  a  force  at  Delaware, 
upon  the  Thames,  t!mt  I  sliould  be  expected  at  Fort  Talbot,  and 
■consequently,  that  a  previous  descent  upon  Delaware  mifi;ht  de- 
ceive the  foe,  and  lead  him  to  expose  me  some  point,  in  defending 
others  he  might  think  menaced,  and  coupled  with  the  possibility 
that  hearing  of  captain  GilPs  march  to  the  Round  O,  by  M*Ore- 

Str's  militia,  whom  he  had  pursued,  a  detachment  had  descended 
e  Thames  to  intercept  him,  determined  to  exercise  die  discre- 
tion allowed  by  the  order,  and  to  strik*  at  once  upon  the  river. 

On  the  Sd  instant,  when  only  fifteen  miles  from  Delaware,  we 
received  information  that  the  enemy  had  left  Delaware  with  the 
intention  oi  descending  the  river,  and  that  we  should  probably 


elost 
in  oc-^ 

nerits 

tailed 
mitted 


roit' 

;n^ans, 
my»  in- 

.,  1814. 

tion  sent 

ir  special 

4th  in- 

from  the 

iivincible 
10.    No 
and  none 
;ut  away, 
g,  captain 
onvinced 
scure  any 
n,  united 
)elf^ware, 
ilbot,  and 
mieht  de- 
defending 
jossibility 
y  M'Grc- 
lescended 
he  diftcre- 
e  river, 
ware,  we 
with  the 
probably 


315 

meet  him  in  one  hour ;  that  his  force  consisted  of  u  light  company 
from  the  Royal  Scot^,  mustering  for  duty  120  men  ;  a  light  com- 
pany of  the  89th  reeiTnent  of  foot  ([etiiciency  not  known,}  Cald- 
well's IndiansandM'Gregor*8  militia,  amounting  in  all  to  about 
300  men.    My  command  originally  had  not  exceeded  180  rank 
and  file.     Hunger,  cold  and  fatigue,  had  brought  on  disease,  and 
though  none  died,  all   were  exceedingly  depressed,  and  sixteen 
had  been  ordered  home,  as  unable  to  continue  the  march.    I  re- 
solved therefore  to  avoid  the  conflict  on  equal  grounds,  and  imme- 
diately retrented  five  miles,  for  the  sake  of  a  good  position  on  the 
western  bank  of  the  Twenty  Mile  Creek,  leaving  captain  Gill 
with  twenty  rangers  to  cover  the  rear,  and  to  watch  the  enemy's 
motions.     We  had  encamped  but  a  few  minutes,  when  captain 
Gill  joined,  after  exchanging  shots  with  the  enemy's  advance,  in 
vainly  attempting  to  reconnoitre  his  force.    The  Twenty  Mile 
Creek  runs  trom  north  to  south,  through  a  deep  and  wide  ravine, 
and  of  course  is  flanked  east  and  west  by  lofty  heights.    My  camp 
was  formed  upon  the  western  heishts.    The  enemy's  on  the  oppo- 
site.   During  the  night  of  the  3d  all  was  quiet.    At  sun -rise  on 
the  4th,  the  enemy  appeared  thinly  upcm  the  opposite  heights, 
fired  upon  us  without  effect,  and  vanished.    After  waiting  some- 
time for  their  re-appearance,  lieutenant  Knox  of  the  rangers  was 
sent  to  reconnoitre.     On  his  return  he  reported  that  the  enemy 
had  retreated  with  the  utmost  precipitation,  leaving  his  baggage 
scattered  upon  the  n»ad,  and  that  his  trail  and  fires  made  him  out 
not  more  than  seventy  men.    Mortified  at  the  supposition  of  hav- 
ing ^-etrograded  from  this  diminutive  force,  I  instantly  commenc- 
eathe  pursuit,  with  the  desien  of  attacking  Delaware  before  the 
opening  of  another  day.  We  nad  not,  however,  proceeded  beyond 
five  miles,  when  captain  Lee,  commanding  the  advance,  discover- 
ed the  enemy  in  considerable  force,  arranging  himself  fur  battle. 
The  symptoms  bf  fear  and  flight  were  naw  easily  traced  to  the 
purpose  ef  seducing  me  from  the  heights,  and  so  far  the  plan,  suc- 
ceeded.   But  the  enemy  failed  to  improve  the  advantage.    If  he 
had  thrown  his  chief  force  across  the  ravine  above  the  road,  and 
occupied  our  camp  when  relinifuished,  thus  obstructing  my  com- 
munication to  the  rear,  I  should  have  been  diiven  upon  Delaware 
agunst  a  superior  force,  since  found  to  be  stationed  there,  or 
forced  to  take  the  wilderness  for  Fort  Talbot,  without  forage  or 
provisions.    Heaven  averted  this  calamity.    We  soon  regained 
the  position  at  Twenty  Mile  Creek,  and  though  the  rangers  were 
greatly  disheartened  by  the  retreat,  and  to  a  man  insisted  upon 
not  fighting  the  enemy,  we  decided  to  exhibit  on  that  spot,  the 
scene  of  death  or  victory.    I  was  induced  to  adopt  the  order  of 
the  hollow  square  to  prevent  the  necessity  of  evolution,  which 
I  knew  all  the  troops  are  incompetent  to  perform  in  action.    The 
detachmentfii  of  the  24th  and  28th  infantry  occupied  the  brow  of 
the  heights.    The  detachment  from  the  garrison  of  Detroit,  formed 
the  north  front  of  the  square,  the  rangers  the  west,  and  the  militia 


'fr.|' 


1 1 


rm  i 

-    I 


M' 


116 


If- 


(* 


the  south.  Our  horses  and  baggage  stood  in  the  centre ;  the  eM* 
my  threw  his  militia  and  Fndiang  across  the  ravine  above  the  road, 
and  commenced  the  action  with  savage  yells,  and  bugles  sounding 
from  the  north,  west  and  south.  His  ref^ulars  at  the  same  time 
charged  down  the  road  from  the  opposite  heights,  crossed  the 
bridji^o  and  charged  up  the  heights  we  occupied,  within  twentjr 
steps  of  the  American  line,  and  a;i;ain8t.the  most  destructive  fire. 
But  )'i(<  front  section  was  soon  shot  to  pieces.  Those  who  followed 
were  much  thined  and  wounded.  His  officers  were  soon  cut  down, 
and  his  antagonists  continued  to  evince  a  decree  of  animation, 
that  bespoke'  at  once  their  boldness  and  security.  He  therefore 
abandoned  the  charge,  and  took  cover  in  the  woods  at  diffused 
order,  between  fifteen,  twenty,  and  thirty  paces  of  our  line,  and 
placed  all  hopes  upon  his  ammunition. 

Our  rceulars  being  uncovered,  were  ordered  to  kneel,  that  the 
brow  of  the  heights  might  partly  screen  them  frcn  the  enemy'a 
view.  The  firing  increasea  on  Both  sides  with  gr&af  vivacity ;  but 
the  crisis  was  over.  I  knew  the  enemy  dare  not  uucover,  and  of 
course  that  no  second  charge  would  be  attempted.  On  the  north» 
west  and  south  front,  the  firing  had  been  sustained  with  much 
coolness,  and  with  considerable  loss  to  the  foe.  Our  troops  on 
those  fronts  being  protected  by  logs  hastily  thrown  together,  and 
the  enemy  not  charging,  both  the  rifle  and  the  musket  were  aim- 
ed at  leisure,  perhaps  always  told.  The  enemy  at  last  became 
persuaded,  that  providence  had  se\' 'Mil  the  fortune  of  the  day. 
His  cover  on  the  east  front  was  insufijcient ;  for  as  he  had  charged 
in  column  of  sections,  and  therefore,  when  dispersing  on  eiuier 
hide  of  the  road,  was  unable  to  extend  bis  flanks,  and  as  our  re  > 

Sulars  presented  an  extended  front  from  the  beginning,  ijt  is  evi« 
ent  that  a  conmion  sized  tt-ee  could  not  protect  even  one  man, . 
much  less  the  squads  that  often  stood  and  breathed  their  last  to- 

Kther ;  and  vet  upon  his  regulars  the  enemy  relied  for  victory* 
concert,  therefore,  and  favoured  by  the  snades  of  twilight,  he 
commenced  a  general  retreat,  after  one  hour's  close  and  gallant 
conflict. 

I  did  not  pursue  for  the  following  reasons.  First,  we  had  tri- 
umphed a^mst  numbers  and  discipline,  and  were  therefore  under 
uo  obligation  of  honour  to  incur  additional  hazard.  Second,  in 
these  requisites  (numbers  and  discipline)  the  enemy  were  still 
superior,  and  the  ni;!;ht  would  have  ensured  success  toan  ambua- 
eade.  Third,  the  enemy's  bugle  sounded  ths  close  upon  the  op- 
posite heights.  If  then  we  ha«l  pursued,  we  must  nave  passed 
over  to  him,  as  he  did  to  us,  becituse  the  creek  could  be  passed  on 
horseback  at  no  other  point,  and  the  troops  being  fAtigued  and 
frost-hitten,  and  their  snoes  cut  to  pieces  by  the  frozen  ground,  it 
was  not  possible  to  pursue  on  foot  It  follows  that  the  attempt  to 
pursue  would  have  given  the  enemy  the  same  advantage  that  pro^ 
dvced  the  defeitt« 


317 

#ar  loti  in  killed  and  wounded,  amounted  to  a  non-eommission- 
ed  officer  and  six  privates,  but  the  blood  of  between  80  and  90 
brave  EngUshmen,  and  among  them  four  oflicerR,  avenged  their 
fall.  The  commander,  captain  Barden  of  the  89th,  is  supposed 
to  have  been  killed  at  an  early  stage  of  the  contest.  The  whole 
American  force  in  action,  ionsisted  of  190  rank  and  file,  of  whom 
70  were  militia,  including  rangers.  The  enemy's  regulars  alone, 
were  from  150  to  1 80  strong,  and  his  militia  and  Indians  fought 
upon  three  fronts  of  our  square. 

I  am  .*nuch  indebted  to  all  my  regular  officers,  and  trust  their 
names  will  be  mentioned  to  the  army  and.  to  the  War  Department. 
Without  intending  a  discrimination,  it  must  be  acknowledged, 
that  the  exertions  of  lieutenants  Kouns  and  Henry  of  the  ^iSth, 
and  Jackson  and  Potter  of  the  24th,  were  most  conspicuous,  be- 
cause fortune  had  opposed  them  to  the  main  strength  of  the  foe. 
Captain  Lee  of  the  Michigan  draeoons,  was  of  great  assistance  be- 
fore the  action,  at  the  head  of  the  advance  and  spies,  and  my 
warmest  thanks  are  due  to  acting  sailing  master  Darling,  of  the 
United  States*  schooner  Somers,  who  haa  volunteered  to  command 
the  artillery.  Ensign  Heard  of  the  28tii,  acting  as  volunteer  ad- 
jutant, merits  my  acknowledgments,  and  especiallv  for  his  zeal  in 
defending  my  opinion  against  a  final  retreat,  wnen  others  per- 
mitted their  hopes  to  sink  beneath  the  pressure  of  the  moment. 

The  enemy's  wounded  and  prisoners  were  treated  with  the  ut- 
most humanity.  Though  some  of  our  men  were  marching  in  thin 
stocking  feeti  they  were  not  permitted  to  take  a  shoe  even  from 
the  dead.  «    > 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

A.  H.  HOLMES,  Capt,  Z4th  Injt. 
(ieutenant  colonel  Butler. 


A 


UNITED  STATES*  SHIP  UMTED  STATES,  NEW  LONDON, 

•  March  18th,  1814. 

SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  forward  to  you  enclosed,  a  despatch  re- 
ceived by  me  from  captain  Capel,  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
British  s(||^uadron  before  this  port,  written  in  reply  to  an  applica- 
tion of  mme,  for  the  release  of  an  American  seaman,  detained 
against  his  will  on  board  the  frigate  Statira. 

Hiram  Thayer,  bom  in  the  town  of  Greenwich,  in  the  county  of 
Hampshire,  and  commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  was  impress- 
ed into  the  naval  service  of  Qreat  Britain,  in  the  month  of  August, 
1803,  and  detained  ever  since.  About  six  years  ago,  when  the 
Statira  was  put  in  commission,  he  was  transferred  to  her,  and  has 
been  constancy  on  board  her  to  this  day.  I  am  informed,  and  in 
&ct  it  was  stated  by  captain  Stackpole  to  lieutenant  Hamilton, 
Irho  was  charged  with  the  flag,  that  the  late  general  Lyman,  our 


Mji 


\{\\ 


.h' 


818 

coimul  at  London,  made  application  to  the  Lords  Commititionera 
for  the  diicliai^e  of  Thayer,  but  thejr  were  not  latiHfled  with  th« 
evidence  uf  hit*  nativity. 

John  Thayer,  the  father  of  Hiram,  aiiBurei  me,  that  the  certi' 
ficate  of  the  telect-mcn,  the  town  clerk,  and  the  minister  of 
Green wicl^  were  forwarded  some  time  ago  to  Mr.  Mitchel,  the 
resident  agent  for  American  prisoners  of  war  at  Halifax,  but  does 
not  know  the  reason  why  he  wns  not  released  then.  The  son  haa 
written  to  his  father,  and  informed  him  that  on  his  representins 
to  captain  Stackpnle,  that  he  was  an  American  citizen,  and  woula 
not  tight  against  his  coui^try,  that  captain  Stackpole  told  him  "  if 
they  fell  in  with  an  American  man  ot  war,  and  ne  did  not  do  his 
d'^ty,  he  should  be  tied  to  the  mast  and  shot  like  a  dog." 

On  Mondnv  tlie  14th  instant,  John  Thayer  requested  me  to 
allow  him  a  tfag  to  go  off'  to  the  enemy  and  ask  for  the  release  of 
his  son.  This  1  granted  at  once,  and  addressed  a  note  to  captain 
Cnnol,  stuting  that  I  felt  pursuuded  that  the  application  of  the 
futliur,  furnished  as  he  was  with  conclusive  evidence  of  the  cativi- 
tv  unci  the  identity  of  his  son,  would  induce  an  immediate  order 
fur  his  discharge.  The  reply  is  enclosed.  The  son  (le>cried  his 
father  at  n  distance  in  the  buat,  and  tuld  the  first  lieutenant  of 
the  Stutira  that  it  was  his  father,  and  1  understand  that  the  teeU 
ings  manifested  bv  tl.e  old  man  on  receiving  the  hand  of  his  son, 
proved,  beyond  alf  other  evidence,  the  property  he  liad  in  him. 
There  was  no  doubt  left  on  the  mind  of  a  single  British  officer  of 
Hiram  Thn^er^s  l)eing  an  American  citizen ;  and  yet  he  is  de- 
tained, not  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  but  compelled,  under  tlie  most 
cruel  threats,  to  serve  the  enemies  of  his  country. 

Thayer  has  so  recommended  himself  by  his  sobriety,  industry 
and  seamanship,  as  to  be  appointed  a  boatswain^s  mate,  and  is  now 
yerviii!;  in  that  Capacity  in  the  Statira :  and  he  says  there  is  due 
to  him  from  the  British  government  about  two  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds  sterling.  He  has  also  assured  his  father,  that  he  has  al- 
ways refused  to  jeceive  any  bounty  or  advance,  lest  it  might 
afford  some  prettext  for  denymg  him  his  discharge  whenever  a  pro« 
per  application  should  be  made  for  it. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

STEPHEN  DECATUR. 


lloncNirable  W.  Jones,  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


\ 


H  "A  ;■ 


SIR, 


SIXTH  AND  SEVENTH  DISTRICTS,  FORT  HAWKINS, 

AprU  2tl,  1814. 


I  have  the  honour  of  enclosing  to  your  excellency  the  offi- 
cial account  of  a  decisive  victory  over  tne  hostile  Creek  Indians, 
achieved  by  the  military  talents  and  enterprise  of  general  Jack- 
ison,  supported  by  the  distinguished  valor  and  good  conduct  of 


811 


the  gaUant  troopt  under  hii  command.  While  the  sigh  of  human- 
ity will  eHcafve  tor  thin  profuse  effusion  of  human  blood,  which 
reftulu  from  the  savage  principle  of  our  enemy,  neither  to  give 
nor  arcept  quarter,  and  while  every  American  will  deeply  la- 
ment the  loss  of  our  meritorious  fellow  soldiers  who  have  fallen 
in  tivis  contest,  we  have  ample  cause  of  gratitude  to  the  giver  of 
all  V  ictory  for  thus  continuing  his  protection  to  our  women  and 
children,  who  would  otherwise  be  exposed  to  the  indiscriminatq 
Imvoc  of  the  tomahawk  and  all  the  horrors  of  savage  warfare. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

THOMAS  PINCKNEY, 

Mag,  (hiu  U,  8.  armt}^ 
His  excellency  Gov.  Early. 


i\ 


(iNOLOSVRE.)  * 

ON  THE  BATTLE  GROUND,  IN  THE  BEND  OF  THETALAPOOSIE, 

March  28th,  181i. 

SIR. 

I  feel  particularly  happy  in  being  able  to  communicate  to  you 
the  fortunate  eventuation  of  my  expedition  to  Talapoosie.  I 
reached  the  head  near  Emucfau  (called  by  thtVhites  Horse 
Shoe^  about  10  o'clock  on  the  forenoon  of  yesterday,  where  I 
founa  the  strength  of  the  neighboring  towns^cullected ;  expecting 
our  approach,  ^ey  had  gathered  in  from  Oakfuskee,  Oakehoni, 
New  Yorcau,  Hillibees,  the  Fish  Pond,  and  Eufolce  towns,  to  the 
number  it  is  said  of  1 000.  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  a  situation  more 
eligible  for  defence  than  the  one  they  had  chosen,  or  one  rendered 
more  secure  by  the  skill  with  which  they  had  ercted  their  breast- 
work. It  w  as  from  5  to  8  feet  high,  and  extended  across  the  point  in 
such  a  direction,  as  that  a  force  approaching  it  would  be  exposed  to 
a  double  fire,  while  they  lay  in  perfect  security  behind.  A  cannon 
planted  at  one  extremity  could  have  raked  it  to  no  advantage. 

Determined  to  exterminate  them,  I  detached  general  Coffee 
with  the  mounted,  and  nearly  the  whole  of  the  Indian,  force,  early 
on  the  morning  of  yesterday,  to  cross  the  river  about  two  iisilea 
below  their  encampment,  and  to  surround  the  bend  in  such  a 
manner,  as  that  none  of  them  should  escape  by  attempting  to  cross 
the  river.  With  the  infantry  I  proceeded  slowly  and  in  order 
along  the  point  of  land  which  led  to  the  front  of  their  breast- 
work ;  having  planted  my  catmon,  (one  six  and  one  three  poun^ 
der)  on  an  eminence  at  the  distance  of  150  to  200  yards  from  it, 
I  opened  a  very  brisk  fire,  playing  uiton  the  enemy  with  the  mus- 
kets and  rifles  whenever  they  shewd  themselves  beyond  it ;  this 
was  kept  up,  with  short  interruptions,  for  about  two  hours,  when  a 
part  of  the  Indian  force  and  captain  Russell's,  and  lieutenant 
Bean's  companies  of  spies,  who  had  accompanied  general  Coffee, 
crossed  over  in  canoes  to  the  extremity  of  the  bend,  and  set  fire 


^i     •'■ 


• 


I.     I 


m^  '* 


If  *  "si 


:  w ,-; 


«*• 


:V 


to  a  few  6f  the  buildings  which  wer6  there  situated ,  they  thett 
advanced  with  great  gallantry  towards  the  breastwork,  and  com- 
menced a  spirited  fire  upon  the  enemy  behind  it.  Fimling  that 
this  force,  notwithstanding  the  bravery  thus  displayed,  was  wholly 
insufficient  to  dislodge  them,  4nd  that  general  Conee  had  entirely 
secured  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river,  I  now  determined  to  take 
their  works  by  storm.  The  men  by  whom  this  was  to  be  effected 
had  been  waiting  with  impatience  to  receive  the  order^  and  hailed 
it  with  acclamation.  The  spirit  which  animated  them  was  a  sure 
augury  of  the  success  which  was  to  follow.  The  history  of  war- 
fare I  think  furnishes  few  instances  of  a  more  brilliant  attack ; 
the  regulars  led  on  by  their  intrepid  and  skillful  commander, 
colonel  Williams,  and  by  the  gallant  major  Montgomery,  soon 
gained  possession  of  the  works  m  the  midst  of  a  most  tremlendoua 
fire  from  behind  them,  and  the  militia  of  the  venerable  general 
Boherty's  brigade  accompanied  them  in  the  charge  with  a  vivacity 
and  firmness  which  would  have  done  honour  to  regulars.  The 
enemy  was  completely  routed.  Five  hundred  and  fftu-seven  were 
left  dead  on  the  peninsula,  and  a  great  number  were  Killed  by  the 
horsemen  in  attempting  to  cross  the  river.  It  is  believed  that  not 
more  than  twenty  nave  escaped. 

The  fighting  continued  with  some  severity  about  five  hourSt 
but  we  contiimed  to  destroy  many  of  them,  who  had  concealed 
themselves  under  the  banks  of  the  river,  until  we  were  prevented 
by  the  night.  This  morning  we  killed  sixteen  who  nad  been 
concealed.  We  took  about  250  prisoners,  all  womten  and  children 
except  two  or  three.  Our  loss  is  106  wounded,  and  25  killed. 
Major  M*lntosh,  the  Cowetau,  who  joined  my  army  with  a  part  of 
his  tribe,  greatly  distinguished  himself.  When  I  get  a  leisure 
hour  I  will  send  you  a  more  detailed  account. 

According  t(^  my  original  purpose',  I  commenced  my  returft 
march  to  Fort  Williams  to-aay,  and  shall,  if  I  find  suMcient 
supplies  tliere,  hasten  to  the  Hickory  ground.  The  power  of  th« 
Creeks  is  I  think  forever  broken. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON,  Maj,  Gen. 
Major  general  Tliomas  I^nckney. 


»9fter  the  battle  of  the  Horse  Shoe  general  Jaekmm  made  the  fol- 
lowing address  to  the  armytJ^arch  2Stht  1814. 

SOLDIERS, 

You  have  entitled  yourselves  to  the  gratitude  of  your  coun- 
try and  your  generkl.  The  expedition,  from  which  you  have  just 
returnea,  has,  by  your  good  conduct,  been  rendered  prosperous,, 
beyond  any  example  in  the  history  of  our  warfare :  it  lias  re- 
deemed the  character  of  your  state,  and  of  that  description  fff 
troops,  of  which  the  greater  part  of  you  are. 


'  thett 
1  com- 
ig  that 
wholly 
ntirely 
to  tak(^ 
iffected 
I  hailed 
I  a  sure 
of  war- 
attack  ; 
nander, 
^,  soon 
(ilendoua 
general 
vivacity 
8.    The 
L'en  were 
id  by  the 
I  that  not 

re  hours* 
oncealed 
irevented 
lad  been 
I  children 
5  killed, 
a  part  of 
a  leisure 

ly  retura 
sufficient 
rer  of  th« 


;.  Gen. 


the /of - 


Bur  coun' 

|have  just 

isperotts^ 

It  hM'f^ 
hption  m 


3dl 

You  have,  within  a  few  days,  opened  your  way  to  the  Tallapoo- 
sie,  and  destroyed  a  confederacy  of  the  enemy,  ferocious  by  na- 
ture, and  grown  insolent  from  impunity.  Relying  on  their  num- 
bers, the  security  of  their  situation,  and  the  assurances  of  their 
prophets,  they-  derided  our  approach,  and  already  exulted,  in 
anticipation  of  the  victory  they  expected  to  obtain.  But  they 
were  ignorant  of  the  influence  of  government  on  the  human  pow- 
ers, nor  knew  what  brave  men,  and  civilized,  could  effect  Br 
liieir  yells,  they  hoped  to  frighten  us,  and  with  their  wooden  forti- 
fications to  opfMise  us.  Stupid  mortals !  their  yells  but  designa* 
ted  their  situation  the  more  certainly ;  whilst  tneir  walls  became 
a  snare  for  their  own  destruction.  So  will  it  ever  be  when 
presumption  and  ignorance  contend  against  bravery  and  pru- 
dence. 

The  fiends  of  the  Tallapoosie  will  no  longer  murder  our  women 
and  children,  or  disturb  the  quiet  of  our  borders.  Their  mid- 
night flambeaux  will  no  more  illumiiie  their  council-house,  or 
shine  upon  the  victim  of  their  infernal  or^es.  In  their  places,  a 
new  generation  will  arise,  who  will  know  their  duty  better.  Tlie 
weapKons  of  warfare  will  be  exchanged  for  utensils  of  husbandry ; 
and  the  wilderness,  which  now  withers  in  sterility,  and  mouma 
the  desolation  whicli  overspreads  her,  will  blossom  as  the  rose, 
and  become  the  nursery  of  the  arts.  But  before  thi^  happy  da^ 
can  arrive,  other  chastisements  remain  to  be  inflicted.  It  is 
indeed  lamentable,  that  the  path  to  peace  should  lead  through 
blood,  and  over  the  bodies  oi  the  slam:  but  it  is  a  dispensation 
of  Providence,  to  inflict  partial  evils  that  good  may  be  produced. 

Our  enemies  are  not  sufiiciently  hiimbled ;  they  do  not  sue  for 
peace.  A  collection  of  them  awaits  our  approach,  and  remain  to 
be  dispersed.  Buried  in  ignorance,  and  seauced  by  their  prophets, 
they  have  the  weakness  to  believe  they  will  still  be  able  to  make 
a  sund  against  us.  They  must  be  undeceived,  and  made  to  atone 
for  their  obstinacy  and  their  crimes,  by  still  further  suffering. 
The  hopes  which  have  so  long  deluded  them,  must  be  driven  from 
their  last  refuge.  They  must  be  made  to  know  that  their  pro- 
phets are  impostors,  and  that  our  strength  is  mighty,  and  will 
prevail.  Then,  and  not  till  then,  may  we  expect  to  make  with 
them  a  peace  that  shall  be  lasting. 


Extract  of  a  letter  frtam  general  Jackson  to  governor  BUmnt-^ 

March  38th,  1814. 

**  I  took  up  the  line  of  march  on  the  morning  of  the  24th  instant, 
and  having  opened  a  passage  of  52  miles  over  the  ridges  which 
divide  the  waters  of  the  two  rivers,  I  reached  the  bend  of  the  Ta- 
lapoosie  Uiree  miles  beyond  where  I  had  the  engagement  of  the 
g2d  January,  and  at  the  southern  extremity  of  Kew  Yorcan  o« 

41 


#■ 


i    i 
i     I. 


--,  I    ■ii 


«at 


is  *|   . 


if!;!' 


W 


the  morning  of  the  £rth.  This  bend  resembles  in  its  curvature 
that  of  a  horse  shoe,  and  is  thence  called  by  that  name  among  the 
whites.  Nature  furnishes  few  situations  as  eligible  for  defence ; 
and  harbariaiiH  have  never  rendered  one  more  secure  by  art.  Across 
the  neck  of  land  which  leads  into  it  from  the  north,  they  have 
had  erected  a  breast- wOrk  of  the  greatest  compactness  and  strength, 
from  five  to  eiu;ht  feet  high,  and  prepared  with  double  rows  of 
port  holes  very  artfully  arranged.  The  figure  of  this  wall  mani- 
fested no  less  skill  in  the  projectors  of  it,  than  its  construction : 
an  tinny  could  not  approach  it,  without  being  exposed  to  a  double 
and  cross  fire  from  tlie  enemy,  who  lay  in  perfect  security  behind 
it.  The  area  of  this  peninsula,  thus  bounded  by  breast-works, 
includes,  I  conjecture,  80  or  100  acres. 

*'  Having  maintained  for  a  few  minutes  a  very  obstinate  conflict, 
muzzle  to  muzxie,  through  the  port  holes,  in  which  many  of  the 
enemy^s  batls  were  welded  to  the  bayonets  of  our  muskets,  our  troopd 
succeeded  in  gaining  the  opposite  side  of  the  works.  The  event 
could  no  longer  be  doubtful.  The  enemy,  although  many  of 
them  fought  to  the  last  with  that  kind  of  bravery  which  despera- 
tion inspires,  were  at  length  routed  and  cut  to  pieces.  The  whole 
margin  of  the  river  which  surrounded  the  peninsula,  was  strewed 
with  the  slain. 

"  Among  the  dead  was  found  their  famous  prophet  Mmiahooet 
shot  in  the  mouth  by  a  grapeshot,  as  if  Heaven  designed  to  chas- 
tise his  impostures  by  an  appropriate  punishment.  Two  other 
prophets  were  also  killed ;  leaving  no  others,  as  I  learn,  on  the 
Talapoosie.  Our  loss  was  26  white  men  killed  and  106  wounded. 
Cherokees  18  killed  and  36  wounded.  Friendly  Creeks  5  killed 
and  11  wounded. 

«The  loss  of  colonel  Williams's  regiment  of  regulars  is  17  killed 
and  55  wounded,  two  of  whom  have  since  died.  Amongst  the 
former  were  major  Montgomery,  lieutenant  Somerville,  and  lieu- 
tenant Moulton,  who  fell  in  the  charge  made  on  the  works.  No 
men  ever  acted  fiiore  gallantly  or  fell  more  gloriously. 

"  Of  the  artillery  company  commanded  by  captain  Parish,  1 1 
were  wounded,  one  of  whom,  Samuel  Garner,  has  since  died. 
Lieutenants  Allen  and  Ridgely  were  both  wounded.  The  whole 
company  acted  with  its  usual  gallantry.  Captain  Bradford  of  the 
trth  United  States*  infantry,  who  acted  as  chief  engineer,  and 
superintended  tlie  firing  of  the  cannon,  has  entitled  himself,  by  his 
good  conduct,  to  my  warmest  thanks.  ^ 

'*  To  say  all  in  a  word,  the  whole  army  who  achieved  this  fortu- 
nate victory,  liave  merited,  by  their  good  conduct,  the  gratitude 
of  Uieir  country.  So  far  as  I  saw  or  could  learn,  there  was  not 
an  officer  or  soldier  who  did  not  perform  his  duty  with  the  ut- 
most fide)  ity.  The  conduct  of  the  militia  on  this  occasion  has  gone 
far  towards  redeeming  the  character  of  that  description  of  troops. 
They  have  been  as  orderly  in  their  encampments,  and  on  their 
line  of  march,as  tlicy  have  been  signally  brave  in  tht  day  of  battle. 


■  ■)  J' 


328 

In  a  few  days  I  shall  take  up  the  line  of  inarch  for  the  Hickory 
^ound ;  and  have  every  thing  to  hope  from  such  troops." 

Hie  following  eMtractfrom  the  life  of  general  Jackson,  byhisaidt 
John  Reid,  brevet  major.  United  States'  armtj,  pourtrays  the 
dignities  which  surrounded  the  general  prior  to  the  battle 
of  Tohopeka  or  the  Horse  Shoe* 

'*  Nothing  was  wanted  now,  to  put  the  troops  in  motion,  and 
actively  to  prosecute  the  war,  but  necessary  supplies.  Retnon- 
stance,  entreaty,  and  threats,  had  long  since  been  used,  and  ex- 
hausted. Every  mean  had  been  resorted  to,  to  impress  on  the 
minds  of  the  contractors  the  necessity  of  urging  forward,  in 
faithful  discharge  of  their  duty;  bui  the  same  indiiferencc  and 
neglect  were  still  persisted  in.  Toward  off  the  effects  of  such 
great  evils,— evils  which  he  foresaw  vould  again  eventuate  in 
«[iscontent  and  revolt,  Jackson  resolvea  to  pursue  a  different 
course,  and  no  longer  depend  on  persons  who  had  so  frequently 
disappointed  him.  He  accordingly  despatched  messengers  to  the 
nearest  settlements,  with  directions  to  purchase  provisions  at 
whatever  price  tliey  could  be  procured.  This  course,  to  these  in- 
cumbents on  the  nation,  afforded  an  argument  much  stronger  than 
any  to  which  he  had  before  resorted.  Thus  assailed  in  a 
way  they  had  not  before  thought  of,  by  being  held  and  made 
liable  for  the  amount  of  the  purchases,  they  exerted  themselves 
in  discharge  of  a  duty  they  nad  hitherto  shamefully  neglected. 
Every  expedient  had  been  tried,  to  urge  them  to  a  compliance 
with  the  obligations  they  were  under  to  their  government ;  un-> 
til  present,  none  had  proved  effectual.  In  one  of  his  letters* 
about  this  time,  the  general  remarks  : '  I  have  no  doubt,  but  a 
combination  has  been  formed,  to  starve  us  out,  and  defeat  the 
objects  of  the  campaign  ;  butMcGee  ought  to  have  recollected  that 
he  had  disappointed  and  starred  my  army  once  $  and  now  in  re- 
turn, it  shall  be  amply  provided  for,  at  his  expense.  At  this 
point,  he  was  to  have  delivered  the  rations,  and  whatever  they 
may  cost,  at  this  place,  he  will  be  required  to  pay ;  aiiy  price 
that  will  ensure  their  delivery,  I  have  directed  to  be  given.' 
The  supplying  an  army  by  contractors,  he  had  often  objected  to,  as 
highly  exceptionable  and  dangerous.  His  monitor,  on  this  sub- 
ject, was  his  own  experience.  Disappointment,  inuiiny,  and 
abandonment  by  his  troops,  when  in  the  full  career  of  success, 
and  an  unnecessarily  protracted  campaign,  were  among  the^  evils- 
already  experienced,  and  which  he  wished,  if  possible,  to  be  in  fu- 
ture avoided. 

"  Under  these  and  other  circumstances  which  seemed  to  in-* 
volve  much  more  serifius  cohsequences,  the  general  had  but  little 
repose  or  quietness ;  every  thir^  was  working  in  opposition  to  his 
wishes.    The  East  Tenneiiee'  brigade,  under  the  command^of 


ill 


!l*i 


m4 


Si 


^24 


P      !       ^ 


/V> 


Bohertj,  having  been  instructed  to  halt,  until  adequate  supplies 
should  be  received  at  head  quarters,  had  already  mtinifested  many 
symptoms  of  revolt,  and  was  with  much  difficulty  restrained  from 
returning  immediately  home.  Added  to  their  own  discontents, 
and  unwdlingness  to  remain  in  service,  much  pains  had  been  ta* 
ken  by  a  personage  high  in  authority,  to  scatter  dissension 
amongst  them,  and  to  persuade  them,  that  they  had  been  impro- 
perly called  out,  and  without  sufficient  authority  ^— that  the  araft 
was  illegal,  and  that  they  were  under  no  necessity  to  serve. 
Arguments  like  these,  urged  by  a  man  of  standing,  were  well  cal- 
culated to  answer  the  end  desired  ;  what  the  igovernine  motive 
was,  that  gave  rise  to  a  course  of  conduct  so  strange,  is  difficult  to 
be  imagined ;  none  was  ever  avowed,  and  certainly  none  can  be 
given,  that  will  account  for  it  satisfactorily.  On  the  morning 
that  general  Doherty  was  about  to  proceed  to  head  quarters^  he 
was  astonished  to  find  a  beating  up  for  volunteers,  to  abandon  his 
camp  and  return  home.  Notwithstanding  all  his  efforts  to  pre- 
vent it,  one  hundred  and  eighty  deserted.  His  surprise  was  still 
greater,  on  learning,  that  a  captain  from  Carter  county,  had  been 
instructed  by  major  general  (Jockey  that  in  the  event  ot  his  march- 
ing back  any  number  of  the  troops,  he  would  take  upon  himself  to 
discharge  them,  on  their  return  to  Knoxville.  Before  this,  Cocke 
had  been  at  the  camp  of  Doherty,  and  had,  by  different  means, 
attempted  to  excite  mutiny  and'  disaffection  among  the  troops. 
As  a  reason  for  being  unwilling  to  go  with  them  in  command,  nc 
stated,  that  tliey  would  be  placed  in  a  situation  which  he  disliked 
to  mention,  and  one  which  his  feelings  would  not  enable  him  to 
witness  :  that  they  were  going  out  to  oe  placed  under  the  com- 
mand of  gene.'al  Jackson,  who  would  impose  on  them  the  seve- 
rest trials,  and  where  they  would  have  to  encounter  every  privation 
and  suffering.  He  represented,  that  at  head  quarters  there  was 
not  a  sufficiency  of  provisions  on  hand  to  last  five  days ;  nor  was 
there  a  probability  that  there  woula  be  any  change  of  circum- 
stances tor  the  better  ;•— that  should  they  oiice  be  placed  in  the 
power  of  Jackson,  he  would,  with  the  regular  force  under  his 
command,  compel  them  to  serve  as  long  as  he  pleased.  Expres- 
sions like  these,  to  men  who  had  never  before  been  in  the  field, 
and  coming  from  one  who  had  already  been  employed  in  a  res- 
pectable command,  were  well  calculated  to  poduce  serious  im- 
pressions. Doherty,  who  was  a  brigadier  in  the  first  division,  was 
at  a  loss  to  know  how  he  should  proceed  with  his  own  major  zeii- 
erdli  who  had  obtruded  himself  into  his  camp,  and  was  endea- 
voring to  ea:cUe  a  revolt ;  he  accordingly  despatched  an  express 
to  head  quarters,  to  give  information  of  what  was  passing.  The 
messenger  arrived,  and,  in  return,  received  an  order  from  gen- 
eral Jackson  to  Doherty,  commanding  him,  peremptorily,  to  seize, 
and  send  unde;-  guard  to  Fort  Strotlier,  every  officer,  without  re- 
gard to  his  rank,  who  should  be  (bund,  in  any  manner,  attempt- 
ing to  excite  his  army  to  mutiny.    General  Cocke,  perhaps appre- 


1  t 


i^^'i 


325 

r 

hending  what  was  going  on,  had  retired  before  this  order  arrived, 
and  thus  escaped  the  punishment  due  to  so  aggravated  an 
ofFem^." 


PROVINCE  OF  LOWER  CANADA, 

OdellTown,  March  31st,  1814s 
SIR, 

We  have  had  an  affair  with  the  enemy,  in  which  our  troops' 
have  given  him  another  test  of  firmness  and  valour. 

Pursuant  to  the  designs  communicated  to  you  in  my  last,  and 
to  accomplish  your  views  if  in  my  power,  I  entered  Canada  yes- 
terday morning,  and  was  met  by  the  enemy  near  this  place,  about 
eleven  o'clock,  whom  we  forced  at  every  point  oi  attack  on 
the  route  to  La  Cole,  distant  from  hence  one  league,  and  from 
St.  John's  six.  We  reached  the  former  post  about  three  o'clock* 
and  found  there  a  strong  corps  in  possession  of  a  spacious  lofty 
stone  mill,  of  which  1  had  received  some  information.  An  eigh- 
teen pounder  had  been  ordered  forward  to  effect  the  destruction 
of  this  building,  but  it  broke  down,  and  after  being  repaired,  the 
only  road  of  approach  through  a  deep  forest  was  reported  to  be 
impracticable  to  a  gun  of  such  weight.  An  opinion  prevailed  at 
the  same  time  with  the  chief  engineer,  major  Totten,  founded  on 
intelligence  previously  received,  and  several  of  the  best  inform- 
ed officers,  that  an  iron  twelve  would  suffice  to  make  a  breach ; 
but  after  a  fair  and  tedious  experiment  at  300  yards  distance  only, 
it  was  discovered  our  battary  could  make  no  impression. 

Brigadier  generals  Smith  and  Bisscll,  covered  our  guns,  and 
brigadier  general  Macomb,  with  a  select  corps,  formed  the  re- 
serve. Tne  enemy  had  been  reported,  from  a  source  considered 
strictly  confidential,  to  £500  strong,  and  his  fi*  st  attack  of  my 
right  favoured  the  report,  from  the  use  he  mude  of  congreve 
rockets  and  other  intfications  of  deliberate  preparation ;  the 
corps,  therefore,  were  held  in  high  order  to  receive  his  combined 
attack.  Yet  believing  in  the  efficacy  of  our  battery,  dispositions 
had  been  made  to  intercept  the  enemy,  should  he  evacuate  the 
post,  and  to  give  it  the  utmost  effect,  we  were  obliged  to  take 

fround  near  the  marginofthe  field,  which  encompassed  the  mill, 
luring  Uie  cannonade,  which  was  returned  with  vivacity  by  the 
enemy^s  rallies  (I  presume)  several  sorties  and  desperate  charges 
were  made  from  the  mill  upon  our  battery,  wliich  were  repulsed 
with  incredible  coolness  by  the  covering  corps,  at  the  expense 
of  some  blood  and  some  lives  on  both  sides ;  it  is  reported  to  me, 
that  in  the  last  charge,  a  captain  of  grenadiers  ana  fifteen  men 
fell  together,  but  I  cannot  vouch  for  the  fact.  Finding  all  our 
attempts  to*  make  a  breach  unsuccessful,  I  withdrew  the  battery, 
called  in  my  detachments,  and  having  remover,  our  dead  and 
wounded,  and  every  thing  else,  fell  back  to  this  place  about  six 
o'cUok. 


HH« 

■    Ml 

i 

'     P    ■■      1  '   '■;  - 

:■  ■IH' 

:  ''-'l  ■ 

IRws* 

'  "■     \ 

'ifl 


!         M 


t'tl 


Mi 


M' 


320 


Where  a  military  corps  appears  to  be  universally  animated  hf 
the  same  sensibilities,  where  the  only  competition  is  for  danger 
and  glory,  indiv'dual  distinctions  seem  improper,  except  in  ex- 
traordinary cases,  such  as  the  conduct  of  the  officers  who  com- 
manded our  battery  yesterday.  Captain  M'Pherson,  of  the  light 
artillery,  (my  military  secretary,  impelled  by  the  noble  spirit 
which  marks*  his  whole  character,)  asked  permission  to  take  part 
in  the  npemtions  of  the  day  with  his  proper  arm  ;  he  was  indulg- 
ed, and  being  first  for  command,  tooK  ctiarge  of  the  pieces  which 
folloM'ed  the  advance  and  formed  our  battery,  in  wnich  he  was 
seconded  by  lieutenants  Larrabee  and  Sheldon.  On  openinjg^  his 
fire  he  seemed  inclined  to  the  opinion  he  could  make  an  impres- 
sion on  the  work,  but  he  soon  received  a  wound  under  the  chin, 
which  he  tied  up  with  his  handkerchief,  and  continued  at  his  piece, 
until  a  second  shut,  which  broke  his  thigh,  brouglit  him  to  the 
earth.  Larrabee  had  kept  his  station,  until  shot  through  the 
lungs,  and  Sheldon  kept  up  the  fire  until  ordered  to  retire.  The 
conduct  of  these  gentlemen  has,  from  the  nature  of  their  duties, 
been  so  conspicuously  gallant,  as  to  attract  the  admiration  of  their 
brethren  in  arms,  and  should  (I  humbly  conceive)  be  distinguish- 
ed by  the  executive.  I  have  sent  forward  my  wounded,  who  can 
bear  the  movement  ^o  Pluttsburg  or  Burlington,  and  those  who 
cannot,  will  be  pr(»v.  d  for  at  Champlain.  I  would  hold  this 
position  until  I  received  further  orders,  were  it  not  for  the  diffi- 
culty of  transporting  our  provisions,  and  the  impossibility  to  cover 
the  troops ;  but  (  shall  not  retire  further  than  Champlain,  which 
will  place  us  twenty-five  miles  from  St.  John%  and  forty -two  from 
Montreul. 

I  cannot  close  this  letter  without  confessing  my  obligations  to 
my  general  and  field  officers,  and  to  my  general  staff  of  every 
grade,  for  the  able  and  prompt  support  I  received  from  them.  So 
small  an  affair  itoes  not  ment  so  tedious  a  detail,  but  it  warrants 
the  remark,  that  it  will  produce  a  degree  of  self  confidence,  of  re- 
ciprocal trust,  of  harmony  and  friendly  attachments  in  this  corps 
highly  beneficial  to  this  service.  It  is  a  lesson  of  command  to  the 
officers,  and  of  obedience  to  the  soldiers,  worth  a  whole  yearns 
drill  of  empty  parades.  The  returns  of  killed  and  wounded,  have 
not  yet  been  furnished,  but  they  will  not  exceed  80  or  90,  in- 
cluding a  captain  and  four  subalterns,  and  this  shall  be  forward- 
ed to-morrow  or  next  day.  For  ^he  information  of  their  friends, 
you  have  at  foot  the  names  of  the  wounded  officers.  \ 

,  With  great  respect,  &c. 

JAMES  WILKINSON. 

Ojfficers  wounded: 

Captain  M'Pherson,  lieutenant  Larrabee,  light  artillery ;  lieu- 
tenant Green,  11th  infantry ;  Icutenaut  Parker,  14th  infftntry; 
lieutenant  Kerr,  rifle  regiment. 


m 


SIR, 


RUTLEDGE,  April  6th,  1814. 


The  limited  means  1  set' out  with  to  procure  provisions  fur  the 
troops  under  your  command,  andthetranspurtationlhuieof,  wuuld 
in  almost  every  other  country  have  proved  ineftcctual.  Tl  e  con- 
tractors, the  quarter  master  and  the  citizens  concerned  vvitii  tne, 
have  all  done  their  duty,  and  it  is  with  much  pleasure  that  I  now 
announce  to  you,  that  the  watfers  have  risen,  and  theboat^  are  de- 
scending the  rivers  Holstein,  Frenchbroad,  and  Tcnvio^tsee.  so 
that  we  shall  be  able  to  land  from  three  to  five  thounaiul  bai  rels  of 
bread  stuft*,  from  thirty  to  fifty  thousand  weight  uf  ha< on  and 
other  necessary  supplies  at  Fort  Deposit,  within  eight  or  ten  rla^s, 
in  addition  to  what  you  now  have,  which  will  more  than  reali/.e 
your  best  expectations.  It  is  a  high  gratification  forme  to  ai^snre 
you  that  the  nest  exertions  to  aid  inein  all  things  necesiiary,  have 
been  cheerfully  aftbrded  by  my  fellow  citizens  in  all  parts  of  the 
state,  as  well  as  in  the  county  ot  Madison,  in  the  Mississippi  ter- 
ritory.   May  glory  and  conquest  still  attend  you. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 


WILLIAM  COCKE. 


# 


Major  general  Andrew  Jackson. 


CAMP,  AT  THE  JUNCTION  OF  THE  COOSEE  &  TALAPOOSIE, 

April  latli,  1814. 

SIR, 

I  am  hanpy  to  inform  you  that  the  campai<rn  is  drawing  to  a 
prosperous  close.  We  have  scoured  the  Co<»see  and  Tatapoosic, 
and  the  intervening  country.  A  part  of  the  enemy  on  the  latter 
ri^rer,  made  th^ir  escape  across  it  just  before  our  arrival,  and  are 
flying  in  consternation  towards  Pensacola.  Many  of  those  on  the 
Cooseeand  the  neighbouring  country,  have  come  in  and  surren- 
dered unconditionally  ;  and  others  are  on  their  way,  and  hourly 
arriving,  to  submit  in  the  same  way.  We  will  overtake  those  who 
have  fled,  and  make  them  sensible  there  is  no  more  safety  in  flight 
than  in  resistance. 

Many  of  the  negroes  who  were  taken  at  fort  Mimms,  have  been 
delivered  up,  and  one  white  woman  (Polly  Jones),  with  her  two 
.  children.  They  will  be  properly  taken  care  of.  The  Talapoosie 
king  has  been  arrested,  and  is  here  in  confinement.  The  Tosta- 
hatchee  king  of  the  Hickory  ground  tribe,  has  delivered  himself 
up.  Weatherford  has  been  with  me,  and  I  did  not  confine  him. 
He  will  be  with  me  again  in  a  few  days.  Peter  M'Quin  has  been 
taken,  but  escaped ;  he  must  be  taken  again.  Hillishui;^ee,  their 
great  prophet,  has  also  absconded  ;-but  he  will  be  fouiid.  They 
were  tne  instigators  of  the  war,  and  such  is  their  situation. 


1*     i%    il;        '.  • 


M 


# 


9M 


^e  advance  of  the  eastern  division  formed  a  junetion  with  me 
at  the  Hallawellee,  on  the  15th,  and  accompaniea  me  to  foci 
Decatur,  opposite  Tuckabatchee,  and  the  rest  will  arrive  in  a  few 
days,  except  what  will  be  left  for  the  retention  of  the  posts.  Major 
general  Pinckney  will  join  the  army  at  this  place  to-morrow  or 
next  day.  The  business  of  the  campaign  will  not,  I  presume, 
require  that  I  or  my  troops  should  remain  here  much  longer. 
General  Pinckney  and  colonel  Hawkins,  who  is  now  with  me, 
have  been  appointed  to  make  the  treaty. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  &>c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON,  Maj,  Gen. 
HiB  excellency  Willie  Blount, 

Governor  of  Tennessee. 


k   t    ' 

.IK' I? 

m 

hi     ' 


i 


SIR, 


VKITED  STATES*  SHIP  GENERAL  PIKE, 

Sackett'sHubour,  April  2rth,  f8l4. 


'file  nisht  of  the  25th  instant,  two  of  our  j^ard  boats  fell  in 
with  three  oT.the  enemy's  boats  in  this  bay.  Lieutenant  Dudley, 
(tlie  officer  of  the  guara)  hailed  and  was  answereil,  "guard  boats ;" 
this,  however,  not  being  satisfactory,  he  repeated  the  hail,  but  was 
not  answered;  finding  that  strange  boats  were  endeavourine  to 
cut  him  oif  from  the  snore,  he  fired  upon  them  ;  the  enemy,  fay- 
ing upon  their  oars  for  a  short  time,  |>ulled  in  towards  Bull  Rock 
Point,  without  rcturnin|[  the  fire.  Lieutenant  Dudley  returned 
to  t)\(e  fleet,  and  got  a' reinforcement  of  boats;  but  nothing  more 
WLS  seen  of  the  enemy  that  night.  Yesterday  morning,  I  directed 
both  shores  of  Shermont  Bay  to  be  examineu,  to  see  whether  the 
enemy  had  not  secreted  himself  in  some  of  the  small  Creeks.  No* 
thing,  however,  was  discovered,  but  six  barrels  of  powder,  found 
in  the  water  near  the  shore,  where  our  guard  boato  fired  on  the 
enemy ;  these  barrels  were  all  slung  in  such  a  manner,  that  one 
man  could  take  two  across  his  shoulders  and  carry  them  ;  etch 
barrel  had  a  hole  bored  in  the  head  of  about  an  inch  diameter,  with 
a  wooden  plug  i  a  it ;  these  barrels  of  powder  were  evidently  fitted 
for  the  (] 
have  got  i 

and  putting  a  piece  of  slow  match  or  port- 
head,  which  would  burn  'j,  sufficient  time  to  allow  the  parties  to 
escape  before  the  fire  would  communicate  to  the  powder ;  this  als^ 
accounts  for  the  enemy  not  returning  the  fire  of  our  boats,  for, 
haying  so  much  powder  in,  he  was  apprehensive  of  accidents, 
which  no  doubt  induced  him  to  heave  it  overboard,  to  be  prepared 
to  return  the  fire  if  he  was  pursued. 

It  would  have  been  impossible  for  the  enemy  to  have  succeeded, 
even  if  he  had  eluded  our  guard  boats  (which  theipe  are  two  lines 
uMi)  for,  independent  of  iJl  the  approaches  by  water  being  secured 


■'.I;. 


thme 
I  foci 
a  few 
Major 
ow  or 
ssume, 
ohger. 
h  me. 


Gen. 


(814. 

s  fell  in 
Dudley, 
boats;" 
but  was 
lurine  to 

pflRock 
t^eturned 
ns  more 
directed 
sther  the 
iks.  No- 
sr,  found 
d  on  the 
that  one 
m ;  each 
ster,  with 
itly  fitted 
my  could 
8  bottom, 
}le  in  the 
Murties  to 
thisalsb 
loats.  for, 
ccidents, 
prepared 

acceeded, 
two  lines 
kg  secured 


S8» 

by  booms,  the  Madison  is  moored  across  the  large  ship^s  stem 
within  tvventT  yards,  and  her  guns  loaded  with  canister  and'  bags 
of  munket  balls,  to  rake  under  the  bottom  if  necessary.  A  lieute* 
nant,  two  midshir  ^n  and  ten  men,  are  on  watch  under  fh6 
ship's  bottom  every  nif^t,  besides  a  marine  guard  outside  of  her. 
With  all  these  precautions,  I  think  that  it  would  be  impossible  for 
an  enemy  to  land  near  the  ship  yard  unobserved.  However,  after 
this  discovery  of  the  enemy's  intentions,  we  shall  redouble  our 
vigilance  ana  exertions  to  preserve  our  fleet  to  meet  the  enemy 
fairly  upon  the  Lake. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCBY. 
Honourable  W.  Jones. 


SIR, 


UNITED  STATES'  SHIP  ADAMS,  April  S9th,  1814. 


Having  passed  the  enemy  in  Lynhaven,  on  the  night  of  the 
I8th  of  January  last,  I  steered  to  the  southward  of  Bermuda,  and 
crossed  the  Atlantic,  between  28  and  32  decrees,  north  latitude. 
On  the  29th  January,  captured  an  English  schooner  from  Malaga 
to  Halifax,  with  a  cargo  of  wine,  oil  and  fruit,  which  we  burnt,  as 
we  likewise  did  another  schooner  from  Newfoundland  to  Grenada, 
with  a  cai|;o  of  fish  and  oil,  captured  on  the  9th  February. 

On  the  4th  March,  captured  a  small  sloop  boat  un^r  Cape 
Mount,  on  the  coast  of  Alrica,  with  a  little  rice  and  Camwood  on 
board ;  twenty  leases  east  of  Cape  Palmas,  we  captured  on  the 
11th  March,  tne  bng  Roebuck,  of  London,  with  a  small  quantity 
of  ivory,  a  quantity  of  palm  oil,  and  various  other  articles.  After 
destroying  her  armament  and  cargo,  we  paroled  our  prisoners,  and 
gave  them  the  brig  as  a  cartel  to  Sierra  Leone.  A.**ter  a  lone 
chase  on  the  25th  March,  the  last  four  hours  of  which  was  in  thick 
weather,  we  captured  the  English  India  ship  Woodbridge,  with 
a  cargo  of  rice  and  dye-woods,  but  had  scarcely  taken  possession 
of  her,  when  the.  weather  cleared  up,  and  we  discovered  a  fleet  of  25 
siul  immediately  to  windward  of  us,  and  two  ships  of  war  standing 
for  us ;  we  were  compelled  to  abandon  the  prize  with  precipita- 
tion, and  attend  to  our  own  Safety,  till  11  A.  M.  the  next  day, 
when  they  gave  over  the  chase  and  returned  to  the  fleet.  I  inclose 
the  paroles  signed  by  the  prisoners. 

I  have  thjB  honour  tobe,  &c. 

C.  MORRIS. 
Honouable  William  JoatB, 


SIR, 


UNITED  STATES*  SLOOP  PEACOCK,  AT  SEA, 

Latitude  3r,  47,  longitude  89,  April  S9th,  1814, 


I  have  the  honour  to  inform  y6u,  that  we  have  this  morning 
captured,  after  an  action  of  42  mibutes,  his  majesty's  brig  Bpc>';:, 


i9 


|:3    ^ 


^i^  "fil 


i^  1 


)MTU 


I* ' ' 


W  if  ' 


WMIV 


™ . . .   ■  i    "w        ■  -«t 


iil ' 


!-1    !'  ■ 


S30 

Vier,  capUiti  WaImi.  ratine  and  mounting  18  thirtj-two  pound  ear* 
ronades,  with  128  men,  of  whom  8  were  lulled  and  IJ  wounded« 
according  to  the  best  information  we  could  obtain .  Amone  the  latttr 
M  her  first  lieutenant,  who  has  lost  an  arm,  and  received  a  severe 
splinter  wnund  on  the  hip.  Not  a  man  in  the  Peacock  was  killed, 
and  onlv  two  woundtd,  neither  dangerously  so.  The  fate  of  the 
Epervier  would  have  been  determined  in  much  less  time,  but  for 
the  circumstance  of  our  fore  yard  being  totally  disabled  by  two 
round  shot  in  the  starboard  quarter  from  her  first  broadside,  which 
entirely  deprived  us  of  the  use  of  our  fore  and  fore-top  sails 
and  compelled  us  to  keep  the  ship  large  throughout  the  remain- 
der of  the  action.  This,  with  a  few  top-mast  ana  top -gallant  back 
stays  cut  away,  a  few  shot  through  our  sails,  is  the  only  iiyury 
the  Peacock  has  sustained.  Not  a  round  shot  touched  our  hull ; 
our  masts  and  spars  are  as  sound  as  ever.  When  the  enemy 
struck  he  had  five  feet  water  in  his  hold,  his  main  top-mast  was 
over  the  side,  his  main  boom  shot  away,  his  fore-mast  cut  nearly 
in  two  and  tottering,  his  fore  rigging  and  stays  shot  away,  his 
bowsprit  badly  wounded,  and  forty-nve  shot  holes  in  his  hull, 
twenty  of  which  were  within  a  foot  of  his  water  line.  By  great 
exertion  we  got  her  in  sailing  order  just  as  dark  came  on. 

In  fifteen  minutes  after  tiie  enemy  struck,  the  Peacock  was 
ready  for  another  action,  in  every  respect  but  her  fore  yard,  which 
was  sent  down,  finished  and  had  the  foresail  set  again  in  forty 
five  minutes :  such  was  the  spirit  and  activity  of  our  gallant  crew. 
The  Epervier  had  under  her  convoy  an  English  hermaphrodite  brig, 
a  Russian  and  a  Spanish  ship,  wnich  allhauled  their  wind  and 
stood  to  the  east  north-east.  I  had  determined  upon  pursuing  the 
former,  but  found  that  it  would  not  answer  to  leave  our  prize  m 
her  then  crippled  state,  and  the  more  particularly  so,  as  we  found 
she  had  in  180,000  dollars  in  specie;  which  we  soon  transferred  to 
this  sloop.  Every  officer,  seaman  and  marine  did  his  duty,  which 
is  the  highest  compliment  I  can  pay  thenv 

I  am,  respectfully, 

L.  WARRINGTON. 
Honoumble  WUliun  Jones. 


SIR, 


8AVANKAH,  May  1st,  1814. 


I  have  the  honour  of  iniorming^  you  of  mT  arrival  hei^  in  laie 
his  Britannic  majesty ^s  brig  Epervier,  of  eighteen  S2  pound  car- 
ronades,  captain  Wales,  captured  by  the  sloop  Peacock,  captain 
Warrincton,  on  Friday  morning,  the  29th  ultimo,  <^ci4)e  Cama- 
veral,  aner  an  action  of  forty-two  ninvtea,  in  which  time  she  was 
much  cut  up  in  hull,  spars,  ri|g|;ine  and  sails,  with  upwards  of 
five  feet  water  in  her  hold,  having  we  advanti^  of  the  weather 


m 

.1  13 


^1 


331 

^  She  has  lout  8  killed  and  15  wounded,  among  the  latter  her,  first 
lieutenant,  who  has  lost  his  arm.  I  am  happy  to  say  the  Peacock 
received  no  material  injury :  her  fore  yard  and  two  men  slightir 
wounded ;  she  received  not  one  shot  in  her  hull.  The  brig  haa 
upwards  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  on  board. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JOHN  B.  N[COLSON. 
lIonourAble  William  Jones, 


i««»i 


UNITED  STATES'  SHIP  GENERAL  PIKE,  SACKETT'S  HARBOR, 

May  lat,  1814: 
SIR, 

I  am  happy  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  inform  you,  that  the 
United  States'  ship  «  Superior"  was  launched  this  mornine,  with- 
out accident.  The  Superior  is  an  uncommon  beautiful,  well-built 
ship,  something  larger  than  the  President,  and  could  mount  64 
suns,  if  it  was  thou^t  advisable  to  put  as  many  upon  her.  Thit 
snip  has  been  built  in  the  short  space  of  eighty  days,  and  when  it 
is  taken  into  view,  that  two  brin  of  500  tons  each,  have  also  been 
built,  rigged,  and  completely  fitted  for  service,  since  the  first  of 
February,  it  will  be  acKnowfedsed,  that  the  mechanics  employed 
on  this  station  have  done  their  autv. 

I  have  tne  honour  to  be,  ^. 

ISAAC  GHAITNCEY. 
Honourable  William  Jones,' 


SIR, 


UNITED  STATES'  SLOOP  PEACOCK,  May  5th,  1814. 


As  my  letter  of  yesterday  was  too  late  for  the  mul,  I  address 
you  again  in  the  per^rmanceof  a  duty  which  is  pleasing  and  gra- 
tifying to  me  in  a  high  degree,  and  is  but  doing  justice  to  the 
merits  of  tlie  deserving  officers  under  my  command,  of  whom  I 
have  hitherto  refrained  from  speakine,  as  I  considered  it  most 
correct  to  make  it  a  subject  of  a  particular  communication. 

To  the  unwearied  and  indefati^ble  attention  of  first  lieutenant 
Nicolson  in  organizing  and  training  the  crew,  the  success  of  this 
action  is  in  a  great  measure  to  be  attributed.  I  have  confided 
greatly  in  him,  and  have  never  found  my  confidence  misplaced. 
For  judgment,  coolness,  and  decision  in  times  of  difficulty,  few 
can  surpass  him.  This  is  the  second  action  in  which  he  has  been 
engaged  this  war,  and  in  both  he  has  been  successful.  His  great 
pride  is  to  earn  a  commander's  eominisaion,  by  fighting  for,  instead 
of  heiring  it 

From  second  lieutenant  Henley,  and  lieutenant  Voorhees  (act'^ 
ting  third,  who  has  also  twice  been  successfully  engaged)  I  receiv- 
ed every  assistance  that  seal,  ardor  and  experienco  could  afford. 
The  fire  from  their  two  divisions  was  terrible,  and  directed  with 


ti  , 


•80 


the  greatest  precision  and  coolness.  In  sailing  master  Percival, 
whoHo  great  wish  and  pride  is  to  obtain  a  lieutenant's  commission, 
and  whose  unremitting  and  constant  attention  to  dut^,  added  to 
his  professional  knowledge,  entitle  him  to  it  in  my  opinion,  1  found 
an  able  as  well  as  willing  assistant.  He  handled  the  ship  as  if 
he  had  been  workins  her  mto  a  roadstead.  Mr.  David  Cole,  acting 
carpenter,  1  have  also  found  such  an  able  and  valuable  man  in  his 
occupation,  that  I  must  request,  in  the  most  earnest  manner,  that 
he  may  receive  a  warrant :  for  I  feel  confident  that  to  his  uncom- 
mon exertions,  we,  in  a  great  measure,  owi:  the  getting  our  prize 
into  f^brt.    From  11  A.  M.  to  6  P.  M.  he  was  over  her  side  stop- 

{ring  ohot  holes,  on  a  srating,  and  when  the  ordinanr  resources 
ailed  of  success,  his  skill  soon  supplied  him  with  efficient  ones. 
Mr.  Philip  Myers,  master's  mate,  has  also  conducted  himself  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  warrant  njjr  recommendation  of  him  at  a 
master.  He  is  a  seaman,  navigator,  and  officer ;  his  family  in 
New  York  is  respectable,  and  he  would  prove  an  acquisition  to 
the  service.  My  clerk,  Mr.  John  S.  Townsend,  is  anxious  to 
obtain,  through  my  means,  a  midshipman's  warrant,  and  has  taken 
pains  to  qualify  himself  for  it,  by  volunteering  and  constantly 
performing  a  midshipman's  duty.  Indeed  I  have  but  little  use- 
tor  a  clerk,  and  he  is  as  great  a  proficient  as  any  of  the  young 
midshipmen,  the  whole  of  whom  behaved  in  a  manner  tliat  was 
pleasing  to  me,  and  must  be  jgratifying  to  you,  as  it  gives  an  ear- 
nest of  what  they  will  make  in  time ;  three  only  have  been  to  sea 
before,  and  one  only  in  a  man  of  war ;  yet  they  are  as  much  at 
home,  and  as  much  disposed  to  exert  themselves,  as  any  officer  of 
the  ship.  Lieutenant  Nicolson  speaks  in  high  terms  of  the  con- 
duct of  Messrs.  Greeves  and  Rodgers  (midshipmen)  who  were  ia 
the  prize  with  him, 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

L.  WARRINGTON. 
Ilortbursble  William  Jones. 


Mxtract  of  a  letter  from  Commothre  Chauncey  to  the  Secretarif  of 

the  JV*ary. 

UNITED  STATES'  SHIP  GENERAL  PIKE,  SACKETrS  HARBOR, 

May  7tb,  1814. 

"  I  received  a  letter  from  captain  Wools^  last  evening,  dated 
'at  6  o'clock  P.  M.  on  the  5tii  instant.  The  enemy  had  been 
cannonading  Oswego  i^MSit  three  hours  when  the  express  came 
away,  without  doing  any  injury.  He  had  been  twice  repulsed  in 
his  attempt  to  land,  and  the  officers  and  men  in  high  spirits,  and 
expected  to  be  able  to  hold  out  until  reinforcements  arrived. 
Colonel  Mitchell  and  captain  Woolsey  are  both  excellent  officers, 
and  I  may  say,  withovt  disparagement  to  any  other  c(vps,  ^at  the 
Sdregfanentof  artilleiy  is  one  of  the  best  disciplined  corps  in  t^'. 


•TW^- 


8tS 


iron» 
l«dto 
found 
tat  if 
acting 
in  his 
r.  that 
incom- 
r  prixe 
B  ttop- 
(ources 
t  ones, 
tself  in 
m  at  a 
mily  in 
ition  to 
dout  to 
IS  taken 
ittantly 
ttle  use 
5  young 
hat  wat 
I  an  ear- 
sn  to  tea 
much  at 
ifficer  of 
the  con- 
were  in 


TON. 


ritary  of 


ig,  dated 

Ihad  been 

^ett  came 

nulted  in 

lirits,  and 

arrived. 

\t  officers, 

.  that  the 

psintK 


army,  and  it  remarkable  for  the  great  number  of  tcientiflc  and 
correct  officers  in  it^we  therefore  may  expect  a  most  gallant  de- 
fence of  Oswego.  If  the  enemv  has  succeeded  in  taking  the  place, 
he  has  paid  dearly  for  it.  T*he  attack,  1  presume,  was  renewed 
yesterday  morning,  as  the  guns  we  heart!  aistinctly  at  this  place 
from  morning  until  about  2  P.  M.  when  the  firing  ceased." 


UNITED  STATES*  SHIP  OBNERAL  PIKE.  SACKRTT'S  HARBOR. 

ftlay  7th,  5  o'clock  P.  M.  1814. 
SIR. 

The  enemy's  fleet  passed  in  sight  about  an  hour  since,  at  a 
great  distance,  and  standing  for  Kingston.  We  have  several 
vague  reports,  that  the  enemy  landed  from  1500  to  3000  men, 
and  that  they  carried  the  fort  at  Oswego  by  storm  and  put  the 
garrison  to  the  sword ;  others,  that  the  garrison,  with  captain 
Woolsey  and  seamen,  surrendered,  and  that  the  enemy  was 
marching  to  the  falls.  All  these  reports  are  unquestionably 
much  exag^rated,  and  if  it  should  turn  out  that  Osweso  has  been 
taken,  it  will  be  found  that  the  troops  and  seamen  did  their  du- 
ty, and  that  the  enemy  hat  paid  dearly  for  the  place. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be.  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 
lionoursble  W.  Jonea.  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 

HEAD  QUARTERS.  SACKKTT'S  HARBOR,  May  12th,  1814. 

Major  general  Brown  has  the  satisfaction  of  announcing  to  the 
troops  of  Khh  division,  that  the  detachment  under  the  command  of 
lieut«oa*t  colonel  Mitchell,  of  the  corps  of  artillery,  have,  by  their 
gallaat  and  military  conduct  oo  the  5th  and  6th  instant,  gained  a 
name  in  arms  worthy  of  the  nation  they  serve  and  the  cause  they 
support.  For  nearly  two  days  they  maintained  an  unequal  con- 
test against  ten  times  their  numbers,  and  but  yielded  tneir  post 
when  tne  interest  of  their  country  made  that  measure  necessary. 

The  comfMinies  composing  this  gallant  detachment  were  Boyle^. 
Romayne's.  M'Intires.  and  Pierce's,  of  the  heavy  artillery,  and  a 
few  seamen  under  the  command  of  lieutenant  Pearce  of  the 
navy — in  all,  less  than  three  hundred  men.  The  enemy^s  force 
by  land  and  water  exceeded  three  thousand. 


SIR. 


HEAD  QUARTERS)  SAOKETT'S  HARBOR. 

May  12Ui,  18U, 


Enclosed  is  an  abstract  from  the  report  of  lieutenant  colonel 
Mitchell,  of  the  affair  at  Oswego.    Being  well  satisfied  with  the 


:& 


".;   •] 


.{ n 


934 


IS  >■ 


mai^Ber,  in  which  the  colonel  executed  my  orders,  and  withtK* 
evidence  given  of  steady  discipline  and  gallant  conduct  on  the 
part  of  the  trod{>s,  I  have  noticed  them  in  the  general  order,  a 
copy  of  which  is  enclosed. 

The  enemy's  object  was  the  naval  itnd  military  stores  deposit- 
ed  at  the  falls,  10  miles  in  the  rear  of  the  fort-  These  were  pro- 
tected.   The  stores  at  the  fort  and  village  were  not  important. 

I  am,  &c. 

JACOB  BROWN,  maj,  gen, 
Hon.  Secretary  at  War. 


LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  MITCHELL'S  REPORT. 


I  informed  you  of  my  arrival  at  fort  Oiwego  on  the  30th  ulti- 
mo. This  post  being  but  occasionally  and  not  recently  occupied 
by  regular  troops,  was  in  a  bad  state  of  defence.  Of  cannon  we 
had  but  five  old  guns,  three  of  which  had  lost  their  trunnions-— 
what  could  be  done  in  the  way  of  repair  was  effected—new  plat- 
forms were  laid,  the  gun  carriages  put  in  order,  and  decayed 
pickets  replaced.  On  the  fifth  instant  the  British  naval  force, 
consisting  of  4  large  ships,  3  brigs  and  a  number  of  eun  and 
other  boats,  were  descried  at  reveflie  beating  about  7  mUes  from 
the  fort.  Information  was  immediately  given  to  captain  Wool- 
sey  of  the  navy,  (  who  was  at  Oswego  village)  and  to  the  neigh- 
boring militia.  It  being  doubtful  on  what  side  of  the  river  the 
enemy  would  attempt  to  land,  and  my  force  (990  effectives)  being 
too  small  to  bear  division,  1  ordered  the  tenta  to  be  pitched  on  the . 
village  side,  while  I  occupied  the  other  with  my  whole  force.  It 
is  probable  that  this  artifice  had  its  effect  and  determined  the  en- 
emy to  attack  where,  from  appearances,  they  expected  the  least 
opposition.  About  one  o'clock  the  fleet  approached.  Fifteen 
boats,  large  and  crowded  with  troops,  at  a  eiven  signal,  moved 
slowly  to  the  shore.  These  were  preceded  oy  gun  boats  sent  to 
rake  the  woods  and  cover  the  lanaing,  while  the  larger  vessels 
opened  a  fire  upon  the  fort.  Captain  Boyle,  and  lieutenant  Le- 
gate, (so  soon  as  the  debarking  boats  got  within  range  of  our 
shot)  opened  upon  them  a  very  successful  fire  from  the  shore 
battery,  and  cunipelled  them  twice  to  retire.  They  at  length 
returned  to  the  ships,  and  the  whole  stood  oft' from  the  shore  Tor 
better  anchorage.  One  of  the  enemy's  boats,  which  had  been 
deserted,  was  taken  up  by  us,  and  some  others  by  the  militia. 
The  first  mentioned  was  sixty  feet  long,  and  carried  thirty -six 
oars  and  three  sails,  and  could  accommfxlate  150  men.  She  had 
received  a  ball  through  her  bow,  and  was  nearly  filled  with 
water. 

Picket  guards  were  stationed  «t  different  points,  and  we  lay  on 
our  arms  during;  th«  night. 


,•&■ 


^35 

At  day  break  on  the  6th  the  fleet  appeared,  bearing  up  tinder 
easy  sail.  The  Wolfe,  &c.  took  a  position  directly  against  tht 
fort  and  batteries,  and  for  3  hours  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  of  Kr&pCf 
&c.  Finding  that  the  enemy  had  effectea  a  landing,  I  witndrew 
my  small  disposable  force  into  the  rear  of  the  fort,  and  with  two 
companies,  (Romayne's  and  Melvin's)  met  their  advancing  coU 
umns,  while  the  other  companies  engaged  the  flanks  of  the  ene- 
my. Lieutenant  Pierce  of  the  navy  and  some  seamen,  joined  in 
the  attack,  and  fought  with  their  characteristic  bravery.  We 
maintained  our  ground  about  30  minutes,  and  as  long  as  consist-- 
ed  with  my  farther  duty  of  defending  the  public  stores  deposit- 
ed at  the  fallsj  which  no  doubt  formed  the  principal  object  of 
the  expedition  on  the  part  of  the  enemy.  Nor  was  this  move- 
ment made  precipitately.  I  halted  within  400  yards  of  the  fort. 
Captain  Romayne's  company  formed  the  rear  guard,  and,  remain- 
ing with  it,  I  marched  to  this  place  in  good  order,  destroying  the 
bridges  in  my  rear.  The  enemy  landed  600  of  De  WatteviUe's 
regiment,  600  marines,  two  companies  of  the  Glengary  corps,  and 
550  seamen. 

General  Drummond  and  commodore  Yeo  were  the  land  and 
naval  commanders.  They  burned  the  old  barracks  and  evacu- 
ated the  fort  about  3  oMock  in  the  morning  of  the  7th. 

Our  loss  in  killed,  is  6 ;  in  wounded  38— «nd  in  missing  25. 
That  of  the  enemy  is  much  greater.  Deserters,  and  citizens  of 
ours  taken  prisoners  and  afterwards  released,  state  their  killed  at 
64  and  wounded  in  proportiou^--«mong  them  arc  several  land  and 
navy  officers  of  merit. 

I  cannot  close  this  despatch  without  speaking  of  the  dead  and 
the  living  of  my  detachment.  Lieutenant  Blauey,  a  youn^  man 
of  much  promise,  was  unfortunately  killed.  His  conduct  in  the 
action  was  highly  meritorious.  Captain  Boyle  and  lieutenant 
Legate  merit  my  highest  approbation,  and  indeed  I  want  lan- 
guage to  express  my  admiration  of  their  «illant  conduct.  The 
subalterns  Af'Comb,  ^^nsart.  King,  Robb,  Earl,  M'Clintock  and 
Kewkirk,  performed  well  their  several  parts. 

It  would  be  injustice  were  I  not  to  acknowledge  and  report  the 
zeal  and  patriotism  evinced  by  the  militia,  who  arrived  at  a  short 
notice,  and  were  anxious  to  be  useful. 


^lO 


Extract  ofaUtterfram  captain  Mudorwugh  to  the  Secretary  "tiif 

the  JV^tjy 

•♦VERGENNE9,  May  14th,  1814. 

**  I  have  the  honour  to  inform  yoo,  that  an  engagement  between 
our  battery  at  the  mouth  of  Otter  Creek,  and  eight  of  the  ene- 
my's galleys,  with  a  bomb-vessel,  has  terminated  by  the  retreat 
of  the  enemy,  whe  it  is  supposed  came  with  an  intention  of 
blockading  us. 


■  f,-* 


'H 


l.-n 


u 


;  f,t    ' 


390 

"  The  battery,  commanded  by  captain  Thorntoni  of  the  artil- 
lery, who  was  eillantl^  assisted  by  lieutenant  Cassen  of  tlie  navy, 
received  but  Tittle  injury,  although  a  number  of  shells  were 
thrown,  and  many  lodged  in  the  parapet. 

"  Colonel  Davis  was  advantageously  posted  to  receive  the  ene- 
my in  the  event  of  his  landing,  which  we  had  reason  to  expect, 
as  his  new  brig,  with  several  other  sallies,  and  four  other  sloops, 
were  within  two  and  a  half  miles  of  the  point,  on  which  the  bat- 
tery stands,  during  the  action,  which  lasted  one  hour  and  a  half, 
when  tiiey  all  stood  oft',  and  were  seen  passing  Burlington  for  the 
northward.  Every  exertion  was  made  to  get  the  vessels  down  to 
the  creek,  which,  however,  we  could  not  effect  until  the  enemy 
had  withdrawn.  Our  whole  force  is  now  at  the  creek's  mouth, 
with  the  exception  of  the  schooner,  and  she  will  be  down  also  in 
the  course  of  four  or  five  days." 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  captain  Macdonough  to  the  Secretary  of 

the  JV*at*i/. 

«  VERGENNES,  May  18th,  1814. 

**  I  omitted  stating  in  my  letter  of  the  14th,  that  the  enemy 
had  two  fine  row-boats  shut  adrift  from  their  gallies  in  the  action 
with  the  battery,  which,  in  their  precipitate  retreat,  were  left, 
and  picked  up  by  us. 

**  1  have  since  learned,  that  in  other  parts  of  the  lake  the^  were 
much  cut  up  by  the  militia.  Two  of  tneir  gallies,  in  passing  up 
a  small  river,  on  the  New  York  side,  had  nearly  all  their  men 
killed  2Pd  wounded." 


1  ' 


I 


SIR, 


NEW  YORK,  May  29tt.,  18U. 


I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  on  the  19th,  I  disco- 
vered the  enemy  in  pursuit  of  a  brig  under  American  colours, 
standing  for  Sandy  Hook.  I  ordered  a  detachment  of  eleven  gun- 
boats to  proceed  to  sea,  and  pass  between  the  chase  and  the  ene- 
my, by  which  means  to  bring  him  to  action,  and  give  opportunity 
to  the  chase  to  escape,  all  which  was  effected ;  tiie  enemy,  after 
receiving  my  fire,  bore  away,  and  the  brig  in  question,  entering 
the  harbour,  proved  to  be  the  brig  Regent  from  France,  with  a 
Terr  valuable  cargo. 

And  on  Monday  the  23d,  I  engaged  the  enemy  before  New 
London,  and  opened  a  passage  for  forty  sail  of  coasting  vessels ; 
the  action  lasted  three  hours,  in  which  the  Flotilla  suffered  very 
little ;  No.  6  received  a  shot  under  water,  and  others  througn 
the  sails :  we  have  reason  to  believe,  that  the  enemy  suffered  very 
^cat  injury,  as  he  appeared  unwilling  to  renew  the  action  the 


■fi  ,i 


sw 


!  I 


artil- 
navy, 
were 

ic  ene- 

txpectt 

sloops, 

[lebat- 

ahalf, 

for  the 

own  to 

enemy 

mouth, 

also  in 


ttaryof 

I,  1814. 

e  enemy 
le  action 
vere  left, 

ley  were 
tssing  up 
heir  men 


L,  1814. 

I  disco- 
colours, 

5ven  gun- 
the  ene- 

Iportunity 
ly,  after 
entering 
with  a 

Ifore  New 
vessels ; 

|ered  very 
through 

fered  very 
stion  the 


3^7 

ioHowing  momiQg;iny  Direct  was  accomplished^  which  wu  ta 
force  a  passage  for  ihe  convoy.  There  are  before  New  London, 
three  seventy-fours,  four  frigates,  and  several  small  vessels,  the 
latter  doing  great  iiQury  from  their  disguised  character,  and  supe« 
rior  sailing. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

J.  LEWIS. 
n^.  Wm.  Jone%  Secretuy  (tyfthe  Nftvy. 


UNITED  STATES'  SHV  SUPiiBIOH,  SACKETT^I  HARBOR, 

June  2d,  1814. 

SIR, 

Finding  it  a  most  difficult  task  to  transport  our  heavy  guns 
on  by  land,  I  determined  to  get  them  to  Sttmy  Creek  by  water, 
when  we  should  have  only  about  three  miles,  land  carriage,  to 
transport  them  to  Henderson's  Harbor,  from  which  we  could 
bring  them  to  this  place  by  water.    I  directed  captain  Woolsey 
to  send  all  the  stores,  except  the  heavy  guns,  up  to  Forth  Bay, 
and  to  place  the  guns  in  boats  ready  to  move  up  or  down  the  river, 
but  to  M  ready  to  start  at  a  moment's  notice  for  sandy  Creek,  when- 
ever the  coast  is  clear  oftheenemy'sgun-boats, which  hovered  about 
the  creeks  in  Mexico  Bay.    On  the  evening  of  the  28th,  captain 
Woolsey,  sterted  from  Oswego  with  eighteen  boats,  containing  idl 
our  heavy  Kuna,  twelve  cables,  and  a  iiuantity  of  shot.    Miyov 
Am>ling,  of  the  rifle  corps,   accompanied  the  boats  with  about 
ISO  riflemen.    I  had  also  engaged  130  Indians  to  traverse  the 
shore,  for  the  porpose  of  protecting  the  boats  if  chased  on  shore, 
or  into  any  of  tne  creeks.    Captain  Woolsey  proceeded  unmo- 
lested to  Sandy  Creek,  where  he  arrived  about  noon  on  Sunday 
the  £9th,  with  one  boat  missing,  containing  <me  cable  and  two 
twenty-fbnr-pounders.    As  soon  as  I  receiv^  information  of  the 
arrival  of  the  boats  at  Sandy  Creek,  the  general,  ^t  my  request, 
despatched  two  pieces  of  artillery,  and  captain  Harris's  company 
of  dragoons.    Yesterday  morning,  I  ordered  captun  Smith  with 
about  220  marines  to  Sandy  Creek,  and  general  6aines  very  po- 
litely offered  an  additional  force  of  about  300  artillery  and  infan- 
try, under  the  command  of  that  excellent  officer,  colonel  Mitchell, 
to  the  same  place;  but  before  tliis  force  could  reach  the  creek, 
the  enemy  was  discovered  in  chMe  of  our  look-out  boats,  and 
entered  we  creek  a  little  after  day -light;  ^ey  landed  and  recon- 
noitered  the  shore  :  a  jpart  of  their  force  marched  up  on  each  side 
of  the  creek,  while  their  gun-boats  ascend^  cautiously,  occasion- 
ally firing  into  the  woods.    Miyor  Appling  disposed  of  his  force 
in  the  most  judicious  manner,  and  permitted  the  enemy  to  ap- 
proach withiii  a  few  yards  of  his  ambuscade,  when  the  riflemen 
and  Indians  opened  a  moat  destructive  fire  up  on  the  enemy, 
which  obliged  thifem  to  surrender  in  about  ten  minutes,  with  the 
loss  of  a  number  of  killed  and  wounded,  and  seven  boats  takeiii 
43 


3S8 

monnting  six,  eight,  twenty-four,  eighteen,  and  twelve  pounders, 
with  some  smaller  guns. 

Th6  number  of  officers  and  men  which  the  enemy  entered  the 
creek  with,  were  about  200,  but  the  number  killed,  wounded, 

id  taken  prisoners,  I  am  still  ignorant  of,  as  no  return  has  been 
made  to  me ;  amongst  the  prisoners,  however,  are  two  post  cap- 
tains, four  lieutenants,  and  two  lieutenants  of  the  marines. 

The  conduct  cf  major  Appling,  and  the  troops  under  his  com- 
mand, has  been  highly  honourable,  and  they  are  en  titled  to  my 
warm  acknowledgments  for  the  zeal  and  ability  with  which  they 
have  defended  the  guns  and  stores  for  this  station. 

I  have  made  ar.  4,ngements  for  transporting  the  guns  from  San-^ 
dy  Greek  by  land,  which  is  about  sixteen  miles.  I  hope  to  have 
them  all  here  before  the  10th. 

I  inclose  herewith  for  your  information,  captain  Woolsey's  re- 
port of  his  proceedings. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY, 
Hon.  Wm.  Jones,  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


i.»i 


SIR, 


(iNOLOSURE.) 

SACKETT'S  HARBOR,  June  Ist,  1814,. 


I  have  already  had  the  honour  to  inform  you  of  the  affair  at 
Sar.dy  Creek  on  the  30th  ultimo,  but  for  want  of  time  at  that 
juncture,  I  had  it  not  in  my  power  to  give  you  the  particulars, 
and  as  the  most  of  my  communication  since  measures  were  adopt- 
ed for  a  pusli  from  Oswego  Falls  to  Sandy  Creek,  with  the  naval 
stores,  have  been  made  in  ^eat  haste,  I  avail  myself  of  a  leisure 
moment  to  make  a  report  in  detail  of  my  proceedings  since  that 
period.  On  the  17th  I  despatched  Mr.  Huginan  to  Mexico,  to 
nire  a  number  of  ox-teams,  and  to  engage  a  quantity  of  forage,  &c. 
I  also  sent  orders  to  Oswego  Falls  to  have  an  additional  number 
of  large  wheels  made  for  transporting  the  guns  and  cables  back 
across  the  portage,  and  caused  reports  to  be  circulated  in  every 
direction  tnat  I  had  received  your  orders  to  send  all  the  naval 
stores  to  Oneida  lake,  with  all  possible  expedition.  On  the  morn- 
ing of  the  28th,  when  these  reports  were  well  in  circulation,  and 
when  (as  I  have  since  heard  from  good  authority)  they  had  been 
detailed  to  sir  Janes,  1  had  the  honour  to  receive  per  express  your 
communication  of  the  $7th,  vesting  in  me  discretionary  powers. 
I  immediately  despatched  Mr.  Dixon  in  the  long  gig  to  reconnoitre 
the  coast.  I  went  with  my  oiticers  to  the  falls,  to  run  the  boats  down 
over  the  rapids.  At  sun-set  we  arrived  at  Oswego  with  the  boats 
(19  in  number)  loaded  in  all  with  21  long  thirty-two  pounders,  10 
twent}  -four  pounders,  3  forty -two  ditto  (carronades)  and  10  cables, 
besides  some  light  articles,  and  distributed  in  the  batteaux  a  guard 
pf  about  150  nnemen,  under  command  of  major  Appling.    Mr, 


'•I 


m 

%t)ixon  having  returned  with  a  report  of  the  coast  being  clear,  ^M 
set  off'  at  dark  and  arrived  at  Big  Salmon  river  about  sun-rise  on 
the  29th,  with  the  loss  of  one  boat  having  on  board  2  twenty-foui' 
pounders  and  one  cable.  I  cannot  account  for  her  having  sepa" 
rated  from  us,  as  every  possible  exertion  was  made  to  keep  th^ 
brigade  as  compact  w  iAissible. 

At  Big  Salmon  we  met  the  Oneidas,  whdm  I  had  despatched  the 
day  previous,  under  the  command  of  lieutenant  Hill,  of  the  rifl« 
regiment.  As  soon  as  they  had  taken  up  their  line  of  march  alone 
the  shore  of  Big  Sandy  creek,  I  started  with  all  the  boats  and 
arrived  at  noon  at  our  place  of  destination  about  two  miles  up  the 
creek.  In  this  laborious  and  hazardous  dutyi  I  feel  much  indebted 
to  major  Appling,  his  officers,  and  men,  for  their  exertions,  having  . 
assisted  my  officers  and  seamen  in  rowing  the  boats  without  a 
moment's  rest,  twelve  hours,  and  about  half  the  time  enveloped 
in  darkness  and  deluged  with  rain ;  also,  to  dome  of  the  principal 
inhabitants  of  Oswego,  who  volunteered  their  services  as  pilots* 
At  2  A.  M.  on  the  30th,  I  received  your  letter  of  the  29th,  6 
P.  M.  per  express,  and  agreeably  to  the  order  contained  tlierein^ 
sent  lieutenant  Pierce  to  look  out  as  far  as  Stony  Point.  About 
^  o'clock  he  returned,  having  been  pursued  by  a  gun-boat  and  three 
barucs.  The  best  possible  disposition  was  made  of  the  riflemen 
and  Indians,  about  half  a  mile  below  our  boats.  About  8  A.  M. 
a  cannonading  at  long  shot  was  commenced  by  the  enemy,  and 
believing,  as  1  did,  that  no  attempt  would  be  made  to  land  with 
their  small  force,  I  ordered  lieutenant  Pierce  to  proceed  in  erect- 
ing sheers  and  making  preparations  to  unload  ttie  boats ;  and,  as 
alFthe  teams  had  retrograded  in  consequence  of  the  cannonading, 
I  sent  in  pursuit  of  them  to  return.  About  9  o'clock  captain  Har- 
ris, with  a  squadron  of  dragoons,  and  captain  Melvin,  with  a  com- 
pany of  light  artillery  and  two  six  pounders,  arrived.  Captain 
Harris,  the  commanding  officer,  agreed  with  me  that  this  reinforce- 
ment should  halt,  as  the  troops  best  calculated  fur  a  bush  fight 
Were  already  on  the  ground,  where  they  could  act  to  the  greatest 
advantage,  and  that  the  enemy,  seeing  a  large  reinforcement  ar- 
rive, would  most  probably  rett^at.  About  10,  the  enemy  having 
landed  and  pdshea  up  the  creek  with  three  gun-boats,  three  cutters, 
and  one  gig;  the  riflemen,  under  that  excellent  officer,  major 
Appling,  rose  from  their  concealment,  and  after  a  smart  fire  of 
about  ten  minutes,  succeeded  in  capturing  all  the  boats  and  their 
crews,  without  one  having  escaped. 

At  about  5  P.  M.  after liaving  buried  with  the  honours  of  war^ 
Mr.  Hoare,  a  British  midshipman,  killed  in  the  action,  I  was  re- 
lieved by  captain  Ridgely,  whom  you  did  me  the  honour  to  send 
to  Sandy  Greek  for  that  purpose.  All  the  prisoners,  except  the 
wounded,  having  been  removed,  and  expecting  another  attack  at 
night,  I  remained  to  assist  captain  Ridgely  m  that  event :  but 
yesterday  morning,  seeing  nothing  in  the  offing,  I  availed  myself 
•f  my  relief,  and  returned  to  this  place.    In  performing,  to  the 


4f 


I 


\'.l 

;,   i*. 

\4 

!" 

■ni    ] 

k 

.  ijJk 

ii 


IHh 


1: 


■n 


t 


.1  ':.iu^!  t 


S4# 

bMt  of  mj"  alnlitiet,  the  duties  for  which  I  wm  ordnred  to  Oiweg* 
Fails,  1  liave  great  satisfaction  in  acknowlednng  the  unremitted 
exertions  of  lieutenant  Pierce,  sailing-master  Vaughan,  and  mid- 
shipmen Mackejr,  Hart,  and  Cuton ;  also  to  migor  Appling,  his 
officers  and  nien,  for  their  kind  assistance  in  the  same  duty. 

The  report  of  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  and  also  the 
sumb'jr  and  descriptiun  of  the  captured  boats,  has  been  already 
n     Ued  by  captain  Ridgely  and'myself. 

I  hiiYe  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

M.  F.  WOOLSEYi 
Cc^mmodore  Tsaac  Chauncey, 

commanding  U.  8.  forocB  on  the  Lakta. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  commodore  Barney  to  the  Secretary  of 

the  Mivy, 

*<ST.  LBONAUO'S  CREEK,  June  lltb,  1814. 

**  My  last  was  on  the  9th  instant.  On  the  evening  of  the  Cth, 
the  enemy  moved  up  with  twenty  barges,  having  received  more 
force  from  the  74,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Patuxent.  1  met  them, 
and  after  a  short  action  drove  them  until  dark,  and  return-J 
ed  to  my  anchorage.  Yesterday  they  made  a  bold  attempt  J 
about  2  P.  M.  they  moved  up  with*  twenty-one  barges,  one 
rocket  barge,  and  two  schooners  in  tow.  On  making  their  ap- 
pearance, we  went  down  on  them ;  they  kept  up^  a  smart  fire  for 
sometime,  and  seemed  determined  to  do  sometiiing  decisive.  But 
tliey  soon  gave  way  and  retreated  ;  we  pursued  them  down  the 
creek.  At  the  mouth  lay  the  eighteen  gun  schooner ;  she  attempt- 
ed to  beat  out,  but  our  hre  was  so  severe,  she  ran  ashore  at  the 
entrance,  and  was  abandoned.  We  still  pursued,  until  the  razee 
and  brig  opened  upon  us  a  brisk  Bre,  which  completely  covered 
the  8cho<mer  and  the  flying  barges,  &c.  We  must  have  done  them 
considerable  damage.'' 


Extract  of  a  Utter  from,  commodore  Barney  to  the  Secretary  of 

the  Mvy, 

**  ST.  LEONARD'S  CREEIE,  June  13Ui,  1814.  ^ 

^  I  had  tiie  honour  of  addressing;  you  on  the  1 1th  insi«nt,  eiving 
a  short  detail  of  our  action  with  the  enemy  on  the  10th.  ny  in- 
formation, thejr  suffered  much.  The  laige  schooner  was  nearly 
destroyed,  having  several  shot  through  her  at  the  water's  edge) 
her  deck  torn  up,  gun  dumounted,  and  main-mast  nearly  cut  off 
about  half-way  up,  and  rendered  unserviceid>le.  She  was  other- 
wise much  cut;  they  ran  her  ashore  to  prevent  her  sinking.  Th4 


^\ 


nitted 
i  mid- 

^  his 

10  the 
Iready 


IBYc 


ttary  of 

,  1814. 

theCth.  » 
ed  mure 
et  them, 
return-' 
attempt} 
ees,  one 
«)cir  ap- 
t  fire  tor 
live.  But 
lown  the 
attempt- 
•c  at  the 
[le  razee 
covered 
tne  them 


retary  of 

\\f  1814.  s 

at,Mving, 
By  m-* 
las  nearly^^ 
lr*«  edge  f 
lly  cut  off 
las  other- 
liig.  The 


commodore's  boat  was  cut  in  two;  a  shot  went  througli  the  roekti; 
boat ;  one  of  the  small  schooners,  carrying  two  32  pounders,  had 
a  shot  which  raked  her  from  aft,  forward  ;  the  boats,  generally, 
suffered ;  but  I  have  not  ascertained  what  loss  they  sustained  in 
men. 

**  Yesterday  a  gentleman  of  this  county,  by  the  name  of  Parrou; 
who  lives  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  came  un,  and  said,  tliat  him- 
self and  brother  had  been  taken  and  carried  on  board.  I'hat  he 
had  been  landed  from  the  commodore,  to  inform  the  inhabitants, 
that  if  they  remained  at  home  quietly,  the  v  should  not  be  molestedj 
but  if  on  landing  he  found  their  houses  deserted,  he  would  burn 
them  all,  as  be  had  done  the  house  of  a  J/r.  Patterson,  and  the 
barn  of  .^r.  £Mrtnner  (our  purser).  Saturday  and  yesterday,  the 
enemy  were  employed  on  the  Patuxent  River,  in  landing  on  the 
banks  to  plunder  stock,  &c.  It  was  on  Sunday  evening  they  burnt 
the  property  of  Mr.  Patterson  and  Skinner.  Mr.  Patron  informs 
me,  that  commodore  Barrie,  of  the  Dragon,  always  commanded, 
and  is  much  disappointed  at  his  defeats,  for  that  he  had  wrote  to 
"admiral  Cockbum,  that  if  the  admiral  would  send  him  a  frigate 
and  brie,  he  would  most  assuredly  destroy  the  Flotilla.  The  fri- 
gate is  the  Ae€Lita,  the  br  Se  Jasseur.  They  left  only  200  men, 
and  one  small  boat  on  boara  the  Dragon,  at  the  mouth  of-  the  Pa» 
tuxeut,  so  that  there  must  have  been  in  the  affair  on  Friday,  up- 
wards of  800  men !    They  came  with  a  band  of  music  playingJ" 


'i 


UNITKD  STATES'  SHIP  SUPEKIOH,  SACKETT'S  IIARROR, 

June  20U),  1814. 

SIR, 

Knowing  that  the  enemy  was  constantly  receiving  naval  and 
military  stares  at  Kingston,  by  the  fit,  Lawrence,  I  thought  it 
mieht  be  practicable  to  surprise  and  capture  a  brigade  of  'boats 
Wttn  stores  on  board,  and  eidier  destroy  or  bring  them  off.  For 
this  purpose  I  directed  lieutenant  Greeury  to  take  three  gigs  with 
only  their  crew  and  one  settee  in  each  boat,  and  pn>ceed  down 
the  St.  Lawrence,  seciete  himself  on  some  of  the  islands,  and 
watch  a  favourable  opportunity  to  surprise  a  brigade  of  loaded 
boats,  and  either  bring  them  oft  or  destroy  them,  as  circumstances 
would  point  out. 

Lieutenant  Gregory  left  here  wiU)  his  party  on  the  evenin<;  of 
the  13th  instant,  and  procee<ied  to  the  "  Thousand  Islands,"  where 
he  hauled  his  boats  on  shore  and  concealed  them :  saw  two  bri- 
gades of  boats  pass,  one  up  the  river  with  troops,  of  course  too 
strong  for  our  little  party ;  the  other  down  the  river  e.npty,  and 
not  worth  taking* 

^  Lieutenant  Gregory  found  the  enemy  had  gun-boats  stationed 
between  Kingston  and  Prescott,  within  about  six  miles  of  each 
other,  and  that  they  had  a  telegraph  look  out,  in  almost  every  Itigh 
island,  so  that  they  convey  intelligence  with  great  expedition. 


i 


i  J'  /• 


il-'    i  }>       T  « 


S44 

Yesterday  morninf^,  between  9  and  10  o'clock,  lieutenant  Grc 
Kory  finding  himself  discovered,  and  a  gun-boat  close  to<him,  he 
instantly  formed  the  bold  design  to  board  her,  which  he  did,  and 
carried  her  without  losing  a  man :  one  of  the  Mieroy  was  badly 
wounded.  She  proved  to  be  the  fine  gun-boat  Black  Snake  or 
Number  9,  and  mounted  one  eighteen  pounder  and  manned 
with  18  men,  chiefly -royal  marines,  (a  list  of  which  is  enclosed)* 
Lieutenant  Gregory  Wanned  his  prize  and  proceeded  up  the  8t. 
Lawrence,  but  was  soon  discovered  and  pursued  by  a  very  large 

f|un-()oat  mounting  two  heavy  suns  and  rowed  wfth  upwards  of 
oi-ty  oars,  which  overhauled  him  fast.  He  kept  possession  of 
his  piize  until  tlie  enemy  threw  their  shot  over  him  ;  he  then  very 
reluctantly  (but  I  think  properly)  took  out  all  his  prisoners  and 
scuttled  tne  gun-boat,  which  suaK  instantly,  and  escaped  the  ene- 
my although  so  heavilv  loaded.  Lieutenant  Gregory  arrived  safe 
this  morning  with  all  fiis  prisoners. 

Permit  me  to  recommend  this  gallant  young  officer  to  your 
notice  and  patronage.  He  is  not  surpassed  by  any  of  his  grade 
in  zeal,  intelligence,  and  intrepidity.  Sailing  master  Vaughan 
and  Mr.  Dixon,  each  commanding  a  gig  under  lieutenant  Gregory, 
are  entitled  to  my  acknowledgments  for  their  zeal  and  activity 
on  all  occasions  to  render  service  to  their  country,  more  particu- 
larly on  the  last  expedition,  when,  from  their  knowledge  of  the 
river,  they  rendereu  the  most  important  services  by  pointing  out 
the  proper  channels  to  elude  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy. 

Will  you  be  pleased  to  direct  in  what  manner  the  prisoners  are 
to  be  disposed  of. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 

^CKtary  of  the  Navy. 


BMract  o^  a  letter  from  general  P.  Stuart,  of  the  Maryland 
miUtWt  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  dated  June  23d,  1814. 

"  I  have  ordered  (m  to  Washington,  under  an  officer  who  is 
directed  upon  his  arrival  to  report  himself  to  you,  five  prisoners 
and  one  deserter.  The  prisoners  were  taken  on  the  21st  instant 
by  a  detachment  of  Maryland  militia  under  my  command,  aided 
•  by  a  squadron  of  horse  from  the  district  of  Columbia,  under  the 
command  of  mssjor  Peter.  ^ 

*'  The  cruel  course  of  war  waged  by  tlte  enemy  upon  our  exten- 
sive water  courses,  has  forced  me  to  call  intb  service  a  great 
body  of  our  militia. 

**  I  must  express  my  thanks  for  the  aid  so  pl-omptly  sent  from 
your  department.  It  wa^  a  source  of  consiu^rable  regret  that 
major  Peter  of  the  artillery,  notwithstanding  his  great  exertions* 
could  not  join  us  till  moriiing.  By  his  aid,  1  feel  confident  we 
rould  have  destroyed  the  enemy's  schooner  sent  up  to  take  ofi' 


S48 

the  remdve  of  the  tobacco.  Major  Peter's  squadron  acted  with 
promptitude  and  ardor,  displaying  a  temper  wliich  will  ren- 
der them  essentiallj  useful  to  the  nation.  The  frequent  injuries 
which  arise  to  the  service  from  intelligence  communicated  to  the 
enemj,  have  determined  me  to  sufi'er  no  deserter  to  remain  with- 
in mj  command," 


SIR, 


Sunday,  June  25th,  1814.--10  A.  M. 


This  morning,  at  4  A.M.  a  combined  attack  of  theartille- 
rjt  marine  corps  and  flotilla,  was  made  upon  the  enemy's  tw« 
frigates,  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek.  After  two  hours  eugige- 
ment,  they  got  under  way  and  made  sail  down  the  river.  Thej 
are  now  warping  round  Point  Patience,  and  I  am  now  movine;  up 
the  Patuxent  with  my  flotilla.  My  floss  is  acting  midshipman 
Asquith  killed*  and  ten  others  killed  and  wounded. 

Mr.  Blake,*  the  bearer  of  this,  was  a  volunteer  in  my  barge, 
fte  will  give  you  every  other  information. 

With  respect,  &c. 

JOSHUA  BARNEY. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


t  n 


i^i— 


SIR, 


PHILADKLPHIA,  June  25th,  1814. 


On  Sunday  last  the  British  frigate  Belvidera  captured  a  small 
schwmer  belonging  to  Indian  river,  about  ten  miles  above  Cape 
Henlopen ;  ano  after  having  her  in  possession  thirty -four  hours, 
ransomed  her  for  800  dollars.  I  was  yesterday  morning  on  the 
eve  of  leaving  this,  with  about  30  ofiicers  and  men,  who  are  em- 
ployed here  in  the  equipment  of  the  Guerriere,  to  join  the  flotilla, 
but  received  information  that  the  Belvidera  left  the  bay  on  the  21st. 
The  flotilla  is  down  as  low  as  Egg  [aland  Flats,  from  which  it 
came  up  to  New  Castle  only  ti>e  day  before  the  Belvidera  camo 
into  the  Bay>  for  the  purpose  of  replenishing  its  provisions. 

With  great  respect,  &c.  • 

JOHN  R0D6ERS. 
The  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


SIR. 


CAMP  NEAR  ST.  LEONARD'S,  June  26th,  1814. 


We  decided  on  attacking  the  enemy  this  morning  at  day- 
break ;  after  two  and  a  half  or  three  hours  cannonading,  he 

*  Mr.  T.  P.  Andrews,  of  Washinjfton,  accompanied  Mr.  Blake ;  they  bdth 
ptA^d  as  captains  of  miunnes,  under  miyor  William  B.  Barney.—^tbV. 


I     I 


•-T 


w^ 


'^wt^ 


1  'i* 


p 


'i'i 


thought  proper  to  retreat  down  the  river,  and  commodore  Bamej 
hat»  taken  advantage  of  his  absence  to  pass  his  flotilla  up  the  Pa- 
tuxeut.  I  was  constrained  to  precipitate  the  attack  before  I  was 
fully  prepared,  from  the  circumstance  of  all  the  enemy's  small 
vessels  having  left  ihe  river.  The  ground  I  was  obliged  to  occu- 
py for  a  battery,  consisted  of  a  high  bluff  point,  having  thePatux- 
ent  on  the  right,  and  St.  Leonardos  Creek  on  the  left,  with  which 
the  communication  was  over  a  flat  piece  of  ground,  subject  to  be 
enfiladed  from  the  Patuxent,  and  the  hill  on  which  the  guns  were 
to  be  placet!,  liable  to  a  severe  fire  from  the  same  quarter ;  there* 
fore,  in  case  of  an  attack,  the  enemy  might  have  rendered  our 
situation  very  uncomfortable,  by  stationing  a  small  vessel  so  as  to 
command  the  low  ground  1  speak  of. 

We  committed  a  great  many  blunders  during  the  action,  or  our 
ftuccess  would  probably  have  oeen  more  coinplete.  I  fori)ear  to 
enter  into  minute  particulars,  lest  I  should  cast  an  indirect  cen- 
sure on  some  officers,  perhaps  undeserved,  for  I  must  acknow- 
ledge, I  v.'.is  so  much  engaged  at  the  battery,  as  to  have  but  an 
Indistinct  knowledge  of  what  passed  elsewhere.  But  the  fact  is, 
the  infantry  and  light  artillery  decided  upon  retreating  without  m  j 
orders,  before  they  had  lost  a  single  man  killed  or  wounded ; 
and  at  the  timt  too,  when  the  enemy  were  nianouvring  to  the 
rear  of  our  position  with  their  barges.  The  consequence  of  thii 
moving  was  very  disadvantageous ;  the  men  at  the  guns  perceiv- 
ing the  infantry  retreating,  and  the  enemy  getting  into  tne  rear, 
their  numbers  began  sensibly  to  diminish,  and  I  was  pretty  soon 
left  with  only  men  enough  to  work  one  gun,  which  1  was  necessi- 
tated to  turn  to  the  rear  for  the  sake  of  keeping  the  bai^^  in  check. 
Finally,  the  few  men  that  remained  were  to  exhausted  with  fa- 
tigue, we  found  it  impracticable  tofire.ar.y  more,  and  the  limbers 
and  horses  which  had  been  ordered  down  the  hill,  having  disap- 
peared and  gone,  I  know  not  wliere,  I  found  myself  pnder  tne 
fainfitl  necessity  of  spiking  the  guns,  to  prevent  their  being  used 
y  the  enemy,  should  he  get  possession  of  them. 
*  1  might,  in  justice  to  the  infantry,  acknowledge  they  did  not 
take  to  flight,  but  quitted  the  ground  in  perfect  order ;  after  a 
while  I  was  able  to  halt  tliem,  and  bring  them  back.  In  the  mean 
time  the  enemy  were  ^tting  under  way,  and  retiring  down  the 
river:  from  the  precipitancy  of  his  retreat,  I  infer  he  must  have 
Buifered  considerably.  From  some  untoward  circumstances,  % 
had  it  not  in  my  pov»er  to  observe  the  effect  of  each  shot  we  fired, 
odierwise  I  tliink  its  destimcJon  would  be  complete. 

Commodore  Barney  furnished  me  with  twenty  excellent  men 
from  his  flotilla  to  work  the  guns.  By  some  mismanagement  in 
loading  with  the  hot  shot,  one  pour  ttulow  had  his  arm  tilown  off*, 
which  IS  the  only  material  accident  we  sustained.  One  of  the 
encmy^s  rockets  passed  througli  an  ammunition  box,  which  had 
been  injudiciously  placed,  and  exploded  it,  which  did  soroedam* 


III 


imi:"'     u 


amey 

lePa- 

l  wai 

gtnall 

OCCtt* 

Patux- 

wh'ich 
ttobe 
\v>  were 

there- 
ed  our 
go  as  to 

,  or  our 
[•bear  to 
•ct  cen- 
kcknow- 
B  but  an 
i  fact  U, 
hout  my 
ounded ; 
I  to  the 
e  of  thia 
Tceiv- 


e  rear, 
tty  soon 
necessl- 
in  check, 
with  fa- 
limbers 
ag  disap- 
nder  the 
ting  used 

did  not 
,  after  a 
the  mean 
lown  the 
nust  have 
ttances,  X 

we  fired, 

llent  men 
^ement  in 
k»lown  off, 
le  ef  the 
vhich  had 
ome  dani« 


age.  An  ammunition  cart  near  it  was  covered  with  the  fire,  but 
fortunately  did  not  explode.  Some  other  trifling  accidents  wert 
sustained. 

We  commenced  in  the  night  an  epaulment  to  cover  our  guns  | 
but  the  work  progressed  ho  little,  from  the  shortness  of  time,  I 
did  not  think  it  best  to  occupy  it  We  retreated  our  |^ns  so  at 
barely  to  allow  the  muzzles  to  peep  over  the  hill.  This  brought 
us  on  descending  ground,  in  a  ploughed  cornfield.  The  recoil  of 
the  gun  downwards,  every  time  it  was  fired,  gave  us  excessive  la- 
bour to  bring  it  up  to  its  position.  In  other  respects  it  answered 
admirably.  The  enemy  found  it  impossible  to  hit  either  the  gunt 
or  the  men.  Every  sfiiot  aimed  by  them,  either  fell  short  and 
struck  the  bank,  or  flew  clear  over.  Towards  the  close  of  the 
firing,  they  adopted  the  methodof  uning  small  charees  of  powder, 
which  just  threw  his  shot  ovur  the  hill,  probably  nriiig  trom  hit 
carronades;  but  the  effect  was  not  more  decisive. 

To  prevent  the  enemy  taking  alarm  in  the  night,  from  our 
movements,  we  w  ere  necessitated'to  halt  our  ammunition  wagona 
and  carts  above  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  battery,  and  pass  all 
our  stores ;  even  the  bricks  of  which  our  furnace  was  constructed, 
were  brought  that  distance  by  hand.  This  fatigued  the  men  ex- 
cessively. I  felt  certain,  if  the  enemy  should  open  upon  us,  even 
at  a  ranaom  fire,  it  would  be  impossil>le  to  get  any  thing  done  for 
the  confusion  it  would  create. 

I  ought  to  mention,  that  the  situation  in  which  the  infantry  and 
light  artillery  were  placed,  was  a  trying  one  for  new  raise'*  ^r  jops. 
Most  of  the  shot  wnich  missed  the  battery,  fell  amon^  them.  .  I 
had  anticipated  that  disadvantage,  but  it  was  unavoidable.  It 
was  indispensable  to  have  them  covered  by  some  rising  ground 
from  the  waters  of  the  Patuxent,  and  the  position  chosen,  was  the 
only  one  compatible  with  that  view,  and  the  design  I  had  in  post* 
ing  them,  to  protect  the  rear  of  our  battery. 

The  battalion  of  the  38th  regiment,  joined  us  but  last  evening, 
after  a  hard  day's  inarch,  and  were  immediately  marched  to  thti 
ground.  Some  of  their  men  were  completely  exhausted,  and  the 
whole  excessively  fatigued  and  half  famished. 

Commodore  Barney's  flotilla  was  at  hand,  ready  to  open  upon 
tlie  enemy,  the  moment  a  favourable  opportunity  should  offer.  He 
commenced  firing  soon  after  us,  and  drew  off  that  of  the  enemy  for 
a  while.  I  have  not  seen  him  since  the  action,  but  understand 
he  lost  several  men,  killed  and  wounded. 

I  hope,  on  the  whole,  taking  into  consideration  our  not  being  ful- 
ly prepared,  the  excessive  fatigue  the  men  had  undergone,  and  that 
we  have  attained  the  object  in  view,  which  was  the  release  of  coni'^ 
modore  Barney's  flotilla,  the  affair  will  not  reflect  dishonour  oa 
•ur  troops. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

DECIUS  WADSWORTH. 

General  John  Annstrong,  Secretary  of  Wfw. 

44 


^vi  i 


846 


GENERAL  BROWN'S  GENERAL  ORDERS. 


ADJUTANT  QENEKAL'S  OFFICK,  LM-T  DIVISION, 

July  ^d, 


1814. 


U'^ 


■h' 


H 


Major  eeneral  Biown  has  the  HatiHfaction  to  announce  to  the 
troops  of  nis  division,  on  thiM  frontier,  that  he  ia  authorized  by  the 
orders  of  hin  government,  to  put  tliein  in  motion  against  the  ene- 
m^.  The  first  and  second  brigades,  with  the  corps  of  artillery, 
will  cross  the  straights  brfoie  them. this  night,  or  as  early  to* 
morrow  as  possible.  The  necessary  instructions  have  been  given 
to  the  brigadiers,  and  by  them  to  tne  commanding  officers  of  re- 
giments and  corps. 

Upon  entering  Canada,  the  laws  of  war  will  govern — men 
ound  in  arms,  or  otherwise  engaged  in  the  service  of  the  enemy, 
will  be  treated  as  enemies  ;  thosol)ehaving  peaceably,  and  follow- 
ing their  private  occupations*  will  be  treated  as  friends.  Private 
property  in  all  cases  will  be  Iwld  sacred  ;  public  property,  wher- 
ever found,  will  be  seized  andditiposed  of  by  the  commanding  ge- 
neral. Our  utmost  protection  will  be  given  to  all  who  actually 
join,  or  who  evince  a  desire  to  join  us. 

Plundering  is  prohibited.  The  major  general  does  not  appre- 
hend any  difficulty  on  this  account,  witli  the  reuiular  ->nny,  or 
with  honourable  volunteers,  who  press  too  the  standard  of  their 
country  to  avenge  her  wrongs,  anu  to  gain  a  name  in  arms.  Pro- 
fligate men  who  follow  the  army  for  plunder,  must  not  expect  tuat 
they  will  escape  the  vengeance  of  the  gallant  spirits,  who  are 
struggling  to  exalt  the  national  character.  Any  plunderer  shall 
be  punisheu  with  death,  who  may  be  found  violatin*;  this  oider. 
By  order  of  the  mujur  geiierul. 

C.K.  GARDNER,  Jdjt.  Oen, 

In  pursuance  of  the  above  orders,  the  armv  passed  the  Nia- 
gara river  im  Sunday  morning,  dd  instant.  The  brij^aidR  of  ge- 
neral Hcott,  and  the  artillery  corps  of  major  Hindman,  landed 
nearly  a  mile  below  Fort  Erie,  between  two  and  three  o'clock, 
while  general  llipiey,  with  his  brigade,  made  the  t^horu  about  tho 
same  distance  above.  The  enemy  v\as  perfectly  uimpprised  of 
these  movements.  General  Scott  led  the  van,  uud  was  on  shdte 
before  the  enemy's  picket,  which  was  stationed  at  thin  point,  tired 
a  gun ;  the  guard  discharged  their  guns  and  retreated. 

In  the  morning,  a  siuall  Indian  corps  was  crof«sed  over.  The 
fort  was  approached  onthe  rij^htand  left,  and  the  Indians  skirted 
the  woods  in  the  rear.  General  Brown  now  demanded  a  surren- 
der of  the  garrison,  and  gave  tl)e  commander  two  hours  fur  con- 
sideration.—In  the  mean  time,  n  battery  of  long  18's  was  pluntvd 
in  a  position  which  conrmanded  the  fort.  The  enemy  surrendered 
prisoners  of  war— marched  out  of  the  fort  at  six,  stacked  tluir 
arms,  and  were  immediately  sent  across  the  river  to  the  American 
shore;  there  were  upwards  of  170  prisoners,  of  the  bthand  100th 


547 


regiinentH,  among  which  were  seven  officrra.  M^jor  Burke  com- 
mantled  the  fort. 

The  itch()onerM  Tif(reAfl  and  Porcupine  asHisted  in  croRning  tlie 
tronpH,  and  lay  during  the  day  within  cannon-shut  of  the  fort. 

Captain  Camp,  of  the  quarter  master  general's  department 
voluntetMcd  in  the  expedition,  and  croaaed  in  the  boat  witn  general 
Scott. 

During  tl'e  mo  n'ng,  the  enemy  fired  two  or  three  cannon  from 
the  fort,  which  killed  one  man,  and  wounded  two  or  three  others. 
We  learn  the  ^nemv  had  one  killed. 

There  are  ieveral  pieces  of  ordnance  in  the  garrison,  and  some 
military  Httxes. 

Thus  haH  the  Niagara  been  crossed ,  and  a  fort  captured,  without 
scarcely  the  loss  of  a  man. 


SIR, 


CRUIZE  OP  THE  ESSE^i. 

ESSKX  JUNIOR.  July  3d,  '.n  i— at  aet. 

I  have  done  myself  the  honour  to  add' '...i  you  repeated >j, 
since  I  left  the  Delaware ;  but  have  scarcelv  a  Nope  that  one  of 
rny  letters  has  reached  you  ;  therefore  consider  it  necessary  to 
give  you  a  brief  history  of  my  proceedings  since  that  period. 

I  sailed  from  the  Delaware  on  the  27th  of  October,  1812,  and 
repaired  with  all  diligence  (agreeably  to  the  inatructions  of  com- 
modore Bainbridge)  to  Port  Praya,  Fernando  de  Noronho,  and 
Cape  Frio,  and  arrived  at  each  place  on  the  duy  appointed  to  meet 
him.  On  my  pasHage  from  Port  Praya  to  Fernanuo  de  Noronho, 
I  captured  his  Britannic  majesty's  packet  Nocton  ;  and  after  tak- 
ing out  nbout  >^tl,UOO  sterling  in  specie,  sent  her  under  com- 
mand of  lieutenant  Finch,  for  America.  I  cruized  off  Rio  de 
Janeiro,  and  about  Cape  Frio,  until  the  12th  January,  1813,  hear- 
ing frequently  of  the  commo«Iorc .  '  y  vessels  from  Bahia.  I  here 
captured  one  schooner,  withhidu  >  <ud  tallow.  I  sent  her  into  Rio. 
The  Montague,  the  admiral's  ship,  being  in  pursuit  of  me,  my 
provisions  getting  short,  and  finding  it  necessarv  to  look  out  for 
a  supply,  to  enable  me  to  inii^t  the  commodore  by  the  1st  April, 
off  St  lielena,  I  proceeded!  to  the  island  of  St.  Catharine's  ^the  last 
place  of  rendezvous  on  the  coast  of  Brazil,)  as  the  most  likely  to 
supply  my  wants,  and,  at  the  same  time,  afford  me  that  intelli- 
gence necessary  to  enable  me  to  elude  the  British  ship^  of  war 
on  the  coast,  and  exnected  there.  I  here  procr;"d  only  wood, 
water,  and  rum,  ann  a  few  bags  of  flour ;  and  hearing  of  the 
commodore's  action  with  the  Java,  the  capture  of  the  Hornet  by 
tl.^  Montague,  and  of  a  considerable  augmentation  of  the  British 
force  on  the  coast,  several  being  in  pursuit  of  me,  I  found  it  ne- 
cessary to  get  to  sea  as  soon  as  possible.  I  now,  agreeably  to  the 
commodore  s  plan,  stretched  to  the  southward,  scouring  tKe  coast 


;!  i 


■  i  . 


1^ 


948 

in  far  as  Rio  de  la  Plata.  I  heard  that  Buenos  Ajres  was  in  a 
state  of  starvation,  and  could  not  supply  our  wants,  and  that  the 
ffovernment  of  Monteviedo  was  inimical  to  us.  The  commodore's 
instructions  now  left  it  coir pletely' discretionary  with  me  what 
eourse  to  pursue,  and  I  determined  on  following  that  which  had 
not  only  met  his  approbation,  but  the  approbation  of  the  then  Se- 
cretary of  tlie  Navy. 

I  accordingly  shaped  my  course  for  the  Pacific ;  and  after 
sufTerine  greatly  from  short  allowance  of  provisions,  and  heavy 

files  oft  Cape  Horn,  (for  which  my  ship  and  men  were  ill  provided^ 
arrived  at  Valparaiso  on  the  14th  March,  1813.  I  here  took  in 
as  much  jerked  beef,  and  other  provisions,  as  my  ship  would 
conveniently  stow,  and  ran  down  the  coast  of  Chili  and  Peru.  lo 
this  track  I  fell  in  with  a  Peruvian  corsair,  which  had  on  board 
£4  Americans,  as  prisoners,  the  crews  of  two  whale  ships,  which 
she  had  taken  on  the  coast  of  Chili.  Tlie  captain  informed  me 
that,  as  allies  of  Great  Britain,  they  would  capture  all  they 
should  meet  with,  in  expectation  of  a  war  between  Spain  and  the 
United  States.  I  consequently  threw  all  his  guns  and  ammuni« 
tion  into  the  sea,  liberated  die  Americans,  wrote  a  respectful 
letter  to  the  viceroy,  explaining  the  cause  of  my  proceedings, 
which  I  delivered  to  her  captain.  I  then  proceeded  for  Lima*^ 
and  re-captured  one  of  the  vessels  as  she  was  entering  the  port. 
From  thence  I  shaped  my  course  for  the  Gallapagos  islands, 
where  I  cmized  from  the  irth  April  until  the  3d  October,  1813; 
during  this  time  I  touched  only  once  on  the  coast  of  America* 
which  was  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  a  supply  ot  fresh  water* 
as  none  is  to  be  found  among  these  islands,  wnich  are,  perhaps, 
the  most  barren  and  desolate  of  any  known.  While  among  this 
|;roup,  I  captured  the  following  British  ships,  employed  chie% 
m  the  spermaceti  whale  fishery,  viz. 

Letters  of  Marque. 


Tons. 

Men. 

Guns. 

Pierced  for. 

Montezuma, 

270 

21 

2 

Policy, 

i75 

25 

10 

18 

Georgiana, 

280 

25 

6 

18 

Greenwich, 

338 

25 

10 

20 

Atlantic, 

355 

24 

8 

20 

Rose, 

zao 

21 

8 

20 

Hector,  ' 

270 

25 

11 

20 

Catharine, 

270 

29 

8 

18 

Seringapatam, 

350 

31 

lit 

26 

Charlton, 

274 

21 

10 

18 

New  Zealander, 

259 

23 

8 

18 

Sir  A.  Hammond, 

,  301 

31 

12 

18 

3S69        302        107 


B  m  ft 

ftt  the 

dore*8 

what 

h  had 

en  Se- 

I  after 

heavy 
videdi) 
took  in 

nvould 
TU.    io 
\  board 
,,  which 
med  me 
ill  they 
and  the 
inin)uni« 
ispectfttl 
eedinga* 
tr  Limv 
the  port. 

islands, 
sr,  1813  5 
\.merica> 
water» 

lerhaps* 

)ne  this 
cnieflgr 


for. 


34» 

As  some  of  these  ships  were  captured  by  boat $t,  and  others  by 
prizes,  my  officers  and  men  had  several  opportunities  of  showing; 
their  gallantry. 

The  Rose  and  the  Charlton,  were  given  up  to  the  prisoners ; 
the  Hector,  Catharine  and  Montezuma,  I  sent  to  Valparaiso, 
where  they  were  laid  up :  the  Policy,  Georgian^,  and  New  Zea- 
land, I  sent  for  America  :  the  Greenwich  I  kept  as  a  store  ship, 
to  contain  the  stores  of  my  other  prizes,  necessary  fur  us,  and  the 
Atlantic,  now  called  the  Essex  Junior,  1  equipped  with  20  guns, 
and  gave  the  comiuand  of  her  to  lieutenant  Downes. 

Lieutenant  Downes  had  conveyed  the  prizes  to  Valparaiso,  and 
on  his  return  brought  me  letters,  informing  me  that  a  squadron 
under  the  command  of  commodore  James  Hillyar,  consisting  of 
the  fri^te  Phoebe,  of  36  guns,  had  sailed  on  the  6th  July  for  this 
sea.    The  Racoon  and  Cherub,  had  been  seeking  for  me  for  some 
time  on  the  coast  of  Brazil,  and,  on  the  retura  from  their  cruize, 
joined  the  squadron  sent  in  search  of  me  to  the  Pacific.    My  ship, 
as  it  may  be  supposed,  after  being  near  a  year  at  sea,  required 
some  repairs  to  put  her  in  a  state  to  meet  them ;  which  I  deter- 
mined to  do,  and  bring  them  to  action,  if  I  could  meet  them  on 
nearly  equal  terms.    1  proceeded  now,  in  company  with  the  re- 
mainder of  my  prizes,  to  the  island  of  Nooaheevah,  or  Madison's 
island,  lying  in  the  Washington  ^up,  discovered  by  a  captain 
Ingraham,  of  Boston.    Here!  caulked  and  completely  overhauled 
my  ship,  made  for  her  a  new  set  of  water  casks,  her  old  ones 
being  nearly  decayed,  and  took  on  board  from  my  prizes,  provisi- 
ons and  stores  for  upwards  of  four  months,  and  sailed  for  the  coast 
of  Chili  on  the  12th  December,  1813.    Previous  to  sailing  I  se- 
cured the  Seringapatam,  Greenwich,  and  Sir  A.  Hammond,  under 
the  guns  of  a  battery  which  I  erected  for  their  protection :  after 
takiuK  pKissession  of  this  fine  island  for  the  United  States,  and 
establishing  the  most  friendly  intercourse  with  the  natives,  I  left 
them  under  charge  of  lieutenant  Gamble,  of  the  marines,  with  21 
men,  with  orders  to  repair  to  Valparaiso,  after  a  certain  period. 

I  arrived  on  the  coast  of  Chili,  on  the  12th  January,  1814 ; 
looked  into  Conception  and  Valparaiso,  found  at  both  places  only 
three  English  vessels,  and  learned  that  the  squadron  which  sailed 
from  Rio  de  Janeiro  for  that  sea,  had  not  been  heard  of  since  their 
departure,  and  was  supposed  to  be  lost  in  endeavouring  to  double 
Cape  Horn. 

I  had  completely  broken  up  the  British  navigation  in  the  Paci- 
fic ;  the  vessels  which  had  not  been  captured  by  me,  were  laid  up, 
and  dare  not  venture  out.  I  had  afforded  the  most  ample  protec- 
tion to  our  own  vessels,  which  were,  on  my  arrival,  very  numer- 
ous and  unprotected.  The  valuable  whale  fishery  there,  is  en- 
tirely destroyed,  and  tlie  actual  injury  we  have  done  them  maybe 
estimated  at  two  and  a  half  millions  of  dollars,  independent  of 
the  expenses  of  the  vessels  in  search  of  me.  They  have  supplied 
me  amply  with  sails,  cordage,  cullies,  anchors,  provisions,  raedi- 


$s6 


f?'f 


l! 


Ml*. 


If"!  n; 


cinc»,  and  stores  of  every  description :  and  the  slops  on  board 
them  have  furnished  clothing  for  the  seamen.  We  had,  in  fact, 
lived  on  the  enemy  since  I  had  been  in  that  sea,  every  prize  hav- 
ing proved  a  well-found  store  ship  for  me.  I  had  not  vet  been 
under  the  necessity  of  drawing  bills  on  the  department  for  any 
object,  and  had  been  enabled  to  make  considerable  advances  to  my 
omcers  and  crew  on  account  of  pay. 

For  the  unexampled  time  we  had  kept  the  sea,  my  crew  had 
contin^ted  remarkably  healthy.  I  had  but  one  case  of  the  scurvy, 
and  had  lost  only  the  following  men  by  death,  viz. : 

John  S.  Cowan,  lieutenant;  Robert  Miller,  surgeon;  Levi 
Holmes,  O.  S. ;  Edward  Sweeny,  do.;  Samuel  Groce,  seaman; 
James  Spaflbrd,  gunner's  mate ;  Benjamin  Geers,  John  Rodgers, 
fjuartor  gunners;  Andrew  Mahan,  corporal  of  marines;  Lewis 
Price,  private  marine. 

I  had  done  all  the  injury  that  could  be  done  the  British  com- 
merce in  the  Pacific,  and  still  hoped  to  signalize  my  cruize  by 
something  more  splendid,  before  leaving  that  sea.  I  thought  it 
not  improbable,  that  commodore  Hillyar  might  have  kept  his  ar- 
rival secret,  and  believing  he  would  seek  me  at  Valparaiso,  as  the 
most  likely  place  to  find  me,  I  determined  to  cruize  about  that 
place,  an<l  should  I  fail  of  meeting  him,  hoped  to  be  compensated 
by  the  capture  of  some  merchant  sliips,  said  to  be  expected  from 
England. 

i'!  c  Phccbe,  agreeable  to  my  expectations,  came  to  seek  me  at 
Valparaiso,  wliere  I  was  anchored  \\  ith  the  Essex ;  my  armed 
prize,  the  Essex  Junior,  under  the  command  (»f  lieutenant  Downes, 
on  the  look-out  off  the  harbor.  But  contrary  to  the  course  I  thought 
he  would  pursue,  commodore  Hillyar  brought  with  him  the  Che- 
rub sifjop  of  war,  mounting  28  guns,  eighteen  32  pound  carro- 
nados,  eight  ,24's,  and  two  fongO's  on  the  quarter  deck  and  fore- 
castle, and  a  complement  of  1 80  men.  The  force  of  the  Phcebe  is 
as  follows: — thirty-two  long  18  pounders,  sixteen  32  pound  car- 
ronades,  one  howitzer,  and  six  3  pounders  in  the  tops,  in  all  53 
guns,  and  a  coniplement  of  520  men:  making  a  force  of  81  guns, 
and  .5(HJ  men ;  in  addition  to  which  they  took  on  board  the  crew  of 
an  Eivlish  letter  of  marque,  lying  in  port.  Both  ships  had  nicked 
crews,  and  were  sent  into  the  Pacific,  in  company  with  tne  Ra- 
coon of  22guns,  and  a  store  ship  of  20  guns,  for  the  express  purpose 
of  seeking  the  Essex,  and  Mere  prepared  with  flags  bearing  the 
motto,  •  God  and  country;  Tiitish  sailor's  b<  %t  rights;  traitors 
ofi'end  both.-'  'I'liis  was  intended  as  a  reply  ♦»  my  motto,  "  Free 
trade  and  miilor^s  r?j^7ifs,"  under  the  erroneous  impression,  that 
my  crew  were  chiefly  Englishmen,  or  to  counteract  itseffeit  on 
llieir  own  crews.     The  force  of  the  Essex  was  46  guns,  forty  32 

tound  carronudes,  and  six  long  12'8,  and  her  crew,  which  had 
een  much  reduced  by  prizes,  amounted  to  only  255  men.  The 
Essex  Junior,  which  was  intended  chiefly  as  a  store  ship,  mounted 
20  guiis,  ten  18  pound  carronades,  and  ten  short  C's,  with  only  CO 


:!J 


951 


■'V  n 


men  on  board.    Tn  reply  to  their  motto,  I  wrote  at  my  mizen, 
"  Ood,  our  country  and  liberty  ;  tyrants  offend  t/ie»»." 

On  £;etting  their  provisions  on  board,  they  went  off  the  port  for 
the  purpose  of  blockading  me,  where  they  cruized  for  near  six 
weeks ;  durins;  which  time  1  endeavoured  to  provoke  a  challenge, 
and  frequently,  but  ineffectually,  to  brinw  the  Phcebe  alone  to  ac- 
tion, first  with  both  my  ships,  and  afterwards  with  my  single  ship, 
with  both  crews  on  board.     I  was  several  times  under  way,   and 
ascertained  that  1   had  greatly  the  advantage  in  point  of  sailing, 
and  once  succeeded  in  closing  within  gun-shot  of  the  Phoehe,  and 
commenced  a  tire  on  her,  when  she  ran  down  for  the  Cherub, 
which  was  two  and  a  half  miles  to  leeward :  this  excited  some 
surprise  and  expressions  of  indignation,  as  previous  to  my  getting 
under  way,  she  hove  to  off  the  port,  hoisted  her  motto  nag,  and 
fired  a  ^>un  to  windward.    Commodore  Hilljar  seemed  determin- 
ed to  avoid  a  contest  with  me  on  nearly  equal  terms,  and  from  his 
extreme  prudeiice  in  keeping  both  his  ships  ever  after  constantly 
within  hail  of  each  other,  there  were  no  nopes  of  any  advantages 
to  my  country  from  a  longer  stay  in  port.     1  therefore  determined 
to  put  to  sea  the  first  opportunity  which  should  offer ;  and  I  was 
the  iuuie  strongly  induced  to  do  so,  as  I  had  gained  certain  intel- 
ligence, that  the  Tagiis,   rated  38,   and  two  other  frigates,  had 
sailed  for  that  sea  in  pursuit  of  me.     I  had  reason  to  expect  the 
arrival  of  the  Racoon,  from  the  north-west  coast  of  America, 
where  she  had  been  sent  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  our  fur  es- 
tablishment on  the  Columbia.    A  rendezvous  was  appointed  for 
the  Essex  Junior,  and  every  arrangement  made  for  sailing,  and  I 
intended  to  let  them  chase  me  off,  to  give  the  Essex  Junior  an 
oppcH'tuiiity  of  escaping.    On  the  28th  March,  the  day  after  this 
determination  was  formed,  the  wind  came  to  blow  fresh  from  the 
southward,  when  1  parted  my  larboard  cable  and  dragged  my  star- 
board anchor  directly  out  to  sea.    Not  a  moment  was  to  be  lost 
in  "ettmg  sail  on  the  ship.    The  enemy  were  close  in  with  the 
point  forming  the  west  side  of  the  bay;  but  on  opening  them,  I 
saw  a  prospect  of  passing  to  windward,   when  I  took  in  my  top- 

gallaiit-saiU,  which  were  set  over  sinxle-reefed-topsails,  and 
i'aced  up  for  this  purpose;  but  on  r  >Uiidiiig  the  point,  a  heavy 
squall  struck  the  ship,  and  carriiMl  away  her  main  top-mast,  pre- 
cii»italing  the  men  who  were  aloft  int(»  the  sea,  who  were  drown- 
ed. Hoth  ships  now  gave  chase  to  me,  and  1  endeavoured,  in  tny 
dinabled  state,  to  regain  the  port ;  but  finding  I  could  not  reco- 
ver the  common  unchora|j:;e,  I  ra.i  close  into  a  small  buy,  about 
three  nuartersof  a  mile  to  leeward  of  the  batterv,  on  the  east  side 
of  the  narbor,  and  let  go  my  anchor  witliin  pistol-shot  of  the  shore, 
where  I  intended  to  repair  my  damages  us  soon  as  possible  The 
enemy  continued  to  approach,  shewed  an  evident  intention  of  at- 
tacking us  regardless  of  the  neutiuiHfy  of  the  place  where  1  was 
ftiichured  ;  and  rhe  t  autioii  oi)«icrveil  in  their  a]tprodch  to  the  attack 
of  the  crippled  Essex,  was  truly  ridiculous,  as  was  their  display 


■l^ 


95tr 

of  their  motto  flags*  and  the  number  of  jacks  at  all  their  mast  head*. 
I,  with  as  much  expedition  as  circumstances  would  admit  of,  got 
tny  ship  ready  for  action,  and  endeavoured  to  get  a  spring  on  my 
cable,  but  had  not  succeeded  when  the  enemy,  at  54  minutes  past 
3  P.  M.  made  his  attack,  the  Phoebe  placing  herself  under  mj 
item,  and  the  Cherub  on  my  starboard  bow ;  but  the  Cherub  soon 
finding  hersi^.'  ition  a  hot  one,  bore  up  and  ran  dow  ^  inder  the 
•tern  also,  where  both  ships  kept  up  a  not  raking  fire. 

I  had  got  }  iono;  twelve  pounders  out  ot  the  stern  ports,  which 
were  workc«!  with  so  much  bravery  and  skill,  that  in  half  an  hour 
we  so  disabled  both  as  to  compel  them  to  haul  off  to  repair  dama- 
ces.    In  the  course  of  this  firing,  I  had,  by  the  great  exertions  of 
Air.  Edward  Barnwell,  the  acting  sailing  master,  assisted  by  Mr^ 
Linscott,  the  boatswain,  succeeded  in  getting  springs  on  our  cable 
three  different  times ;  but  the  fire  of  the  enemy  was  so  excessive, 
that  before  we  could  get  our  broadside  to  bear,  they  were  shot 
away,  and  thus  rendered  useless  to  us.    My  ship  had  receive<! 
many  injuries  and  several  had  been  killed  ami  wounded ;  but  mj 
brave  officers  and  men,  notwithstanding  the  unfavourable  circuro- 
stances  under  which  we  were  brought  to  action,  and  the  powerful 
force  opposed  to  us,  were  no  ways  discouraged :  all  appeared 
determined  to  defend  their  ship  to  the  last  ext'  emity,  and  to  die  in 
preference  to  a  shameful  surrender.  Our  gaff,  with  the  ensign  and 
the  motto  flag  at  tlie  mizen,  had  been  shot  away,  but  free  trade 
AND  sailor's  rights,  contiuued  to  fly  at  the  fore.    Our  ensign 
was  replaced  by  another ;  and  to  guerd  a^ainat  a  similar  event, 
tn  ensign  was  made  fast  in  the  mizen  "iggintr,  and  several  jacks 
were  hoisted  in  different  parts  of  the  ^.itp.    The  enemy  soon  re- 
paired his  damages  for  a  fresh  attack.    He  now  placed  himself, 
with  both  his  ships  on  my  starboard  quarter,  out  of  the  reach  of 
my  carronades,  and  where  my  stern  ^uns  could  not  be  brought  to 
bear.    He  there  kept  up  a  most  galling  fire,  which  it  was  out  of 
my  power  to  return,  when  1  saw  no  prospect  of  injuring  him  without 
getting  under  weigh  and  becoming  tlie  assailant.    My  top-sail 
sheets  and  haul-yards  were  all  shot  away  as  well  as  tne  jib  and 
fore-top-inast  stay  sail  haul-yards.    The  only  rope  not  cut  was 
the  flyins  jib  haul-yards,  and  that  beina;  tlie  only  sail  I  could  set, 
I  causea  it  to  be  hoisted,  my  cable  to  be  cut,  and  xan  down  on 
both  ships,  with  an  intention  of  laying  the  Phoebe  on  board.   The 
firing  on  both  sidf s  was  now  tremendous.    I  had  let  fall  my 
fore-topsail  and  foresail,  but  the  want  of  tacks  and  sheets  had 
rendered  them  almost  uselesf  to  us ;  yet  we  were  enabled,  for  a 
short  time,  to  close  with  the  enemy  ;  and  although  our  decks  were 
Qow  strewed  with  dead,  and  our  cockpit  filled  with  woundr  ^— 
altliough  ouc  ship  had  been  several  times  on  fire,  and  was  render- 
ed a  perfect  wreck,  we  were  still  encouraged  to  a  hope  to  save 
her,  from  the  circumstance  of  the  Cherub  being  compelled  to 
kaul  off.    Qhe  did  not  r«:turn  to  clvse  action,  although  sne  appa- 


thead». 
of,  got 
5  on  my 
tes  past 
der  n.j 
tib  soon 
der  the 

g,  which 
an  hour 
ir  dama- 
rtions  of 
d  by  Mr, 
our cable 
xcessive, 
rere  shot 
receive*! 
;  but  mj 
e  circum- 
powerful 
appeared 
d  to  die  in 
nsign  and 

BE  TRADE 

)ur  ensign 
liar  event, 
eral  jacka 
y  soon  re- 
i  himself, 
e  reach  of 
>rought  to 
vas  out  of 
m  without 
top-sail 
le  jib  and 
.  cut  was 
could  set, 
down  on 
)ard.   The 
St  fall  my 
sheets  had 
bled,  for  a 
leeks  were 
voundr  '— 
as  render- 
to  save 
bnpelled  to 
she  appa- 


I 


SM 

rently  had  it  in  her  power  to  do  so,  but  kept  up  a  distant  firing 
with  her  long  guns. 

The  Phoebe,  fntm  our  disabled  state,  was  enabled,  however,  by 
edging  otf,  to  choose  the  distance  which  best  suited  her  long  guns, 
and  kept  up  a  tremendous  fire  on  us,  which  mowed  doM'n  my 
brave  companions  bv  the  dozen.  Many  of  my  guns  had  been 
rendered  Ubeless  by  tne  enemy's  shot,  ana  many  of  them  had  their 
whole  crews  destroyed.  We  manned  them  again  from  those  which 
were  disabled,  and  one  gun  in  particular  was  three  times  manned  ; 
15  men  wete  slain  at  it  in  the  action!  but  strange  as  it  may 
appear,  the  captain  of  it  escaped  with  only  a  slisrht  wound.  Find- 
ing that  the  enemy  had  it  in  his  power  to  chose  his  distance,  I 
now  gave  up  all  hopes  of  closing  with  him,  and  as  the  wind,  for 
the  moment,  seemed  to  favour  the  design,  I  determined  to  endea- 
vour to  run  her  on  shore,  land  my  men  and  destroy  her.  Every 
tinnjj;  seemed  to  favour  my  wishes.  We  had  approached  the  shore 
within  musket  shot,  and  1  had  no  doubt  of  succeeding,  when,  in 
an  instant,  the  wind  shifted  from  the  land  (as  is  very  common  in 
this  port  in  the  latter  part  of  the  day)  and  paved  our  head  down 
on  the  Phcpbe.  where  we  were  again  exposed  to  a  dreadful  raking 
fire.  My  ship  was  now  totally  unmanageable  ;  yet,  as  her  head 
was  toward  the  enemy,  and  he  to  leeward  of  me,  I  still  hoped  to 
be  able  to  board  him.  At  this  moment  lieutenant  commandant 
Downes  came  on  board,  to  receive  my  onlers,  under  the  impression 
that  1  should  so<m  be  a  prisoner.  He  could  be  of  no  use  to  me 
in  the  then  wretched  state  of  the  Essex ;  and  finding  (from  the 
enemy's  putting  his  helm  up)  that  my  last  attempt  at  boarding 
would  not  succeed,  I  directea  him,  after  he  had  been  about  ten 
minutes  on  bo?ird,  to  return  to  his  own  ship,  to  be  prepared  for 
defendhig  and  destroying  her  in  case  of  an  attaclc.  He  took  with 
him  several  of  my  wounded,  leaving  three  of  his  boat's  crew  on 
board  to  make  room  for  them.  The  Cherub  now  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  distinguishing  herself,  by  keeping  up  a  hot  fire  on  him 
during  his  return. 

The  slauj^hter  on  board  my  ship  had  now  become  horriMe ;  the 
enemy  continuing  to  rake  us,  and  we  unable  to  bring  a  gun  to 
bear.  I  therefore  directed  a  hawser  to  be  bent  to  the  sheet 
anchor,  and  the  anchor  to  be  cut  fi'om  the  bows  to  bring  her  head 
round.  This  succeeded.  We  akain  got  our  broadside  to  bear, 
and  as  the  enemy  was  much  crippled  and  unable  to  hold  his  own, 
I  have  no  doubt  he  would  soon  have  drifted  out  of  gun-shot  before 
he  discovered  we  had  anchored,  had  not  the  hawser  unfortunate- 
ly parted.  My  ship  had  taken  fire  several  times  during  the  action, 
but  alarmingly  so  forward  and  aft  at  this  moment ;  the  flaines 
were  bursting  up  each  hatchway,  and  no  hopes  were  entertained 
of  sav'ng  her ;  our  distance  frotn  the  shore  did  not  exceed  three 
quarters  of  a  mile,  and  I  hoped  many  cf  my  brave  crew  would  be 
able  to  save  themselves,  should  the  ship  blow  up,  as  1  was  inform- 
ed the  4re  was  near  the  magazine,  and  the  explosion  of  a  largOi 
45 


•    n 


,1  m 


!(■■  -I'  :■■>•■ 


«;':  ^  :  I. 


,  f 

f  I 


hf  '^ 


3M 

(T'lantitjr  of  powder  below,  served  to  increase  the  horrors  of  oun 
situation.  Our  boats  were  destroyed  by  the  enemy's  shot ;  I  there- 
fore directed  those  who  could  swim  to  jump  overboard,  and  endea- 
vour to  gain  the  shore.  Some  reacned  it,  Morric  veic  taken  by 
the  baemy,  and  some  perished  in  the  attempt ,  but  most  preferred 
sharing  with  n;o  the  late  of  the  ship. 

We  who  ren\ained,  now  turned  our  atttntiot  ./holly  to  f  xiui* 
guishinji,  the  flames;  and  when  we  had  succpedctJ,  'ven*  again  > 
our  guns,  where  the  firinj;;  was  kept  up  for  -some  Uimute;;,  but  t'.e 
crew  had  by  this  time  become  so  weakened,  t'atthey  all  deciarad 
tome  the  impossibility  of  uinking  further  resijitance,  and  entreat- 
ed me  to  surrender  my  ship  i  »  save  tlie  wounded,  as  all  further 
attempts  at  oppoiiition  must  prove  ineffectual,  tilmost  evvry  y^n 
being  disabied  by  tiie  destruction  o(  their  crews.  I  now  dent  ifor 
the  ofiiccrs  of  (livisions  to  consult  themj  but  wLat  was  my  sur- 
prise to  fissd  only  acting  lieutenant  Su^phen  Heca"  ^i  M-knight 
remaining,  who  confinned  the  report  respectiii^i  the  condition  of 
'he  gv.n>^  on  the  quarter-deck-— tnose  on  tiie  spar-deck  were  not 
in  ii  belt'  r  state.  Lieutenant  Wiimer,  after  nshting  most  gal-' 
lanti;'  'hrou^hout  the  action,  had  been  knocked  overboard  by  n 
splinter,  whi^e  getting  the  sheet  anchor  from  the  bows,  and  was 
vlrowned.  Acting  lieutenant  John  G.  Cowell  had  lost  a  leg;  Mr, 
Edward  Barnwell,  acting  sailing  master,  had  been  carried  below, 
after  receiving  two  severe  wounds,  one  in  the  breast  and  one  in 
the  face ;  ancfacting  lieutenant  William  il.Odenheimer  had  been 
knocked  overboard  from  the  quarter,  an  instant  before,  and  did 
not  regain  the  ship  till  after  the  surrender. 

I  was  informed  that  the  cockpit,  the  steerage,  the  wardroom^ 
and  the  birth -deck,  could  contain  no  more  w'ounded ;  and  that 
the  wounded  \vere  killed  while  the  stti]eeon8  were  dressing  them, 
and  that  unless  something-was  speedily  done  to  prevent  it,  the 
ship  would  soon  sink,  from  the  number  of  shot -holes  in  her  bottom. 
And  on  sending  for  the  carpenter,  he  informed  me  that  all  his 
crew  had  been  killed  cr  wounded,  and  that  he  had  been  once  over 
the  side  to  stop  the  leaks,  when  his  slin^  had  been  shot  away,  and 
it  was  with  difficulty  he  was  saved  from  drowning.  The  enemy, 
from  the  smoothness  of  the  water,  and  the  impossibility  of  our 
reaching  him  with  our  carronades,  and  the  little  apprehension 
that  was  excited  by  our  fire,  which  had  now  become  much  slack- 
ened, was  enabled  to  take  aim  at  us  as  at  a  target ;  his  shot  never 
missed  our  hull,  and  my  ship  was  cut  up  in  a  manner  which  was 
perliaps  never  before  witnessed:  in  fine,  1  saw  no  hopes  of  saving 
ncr,  and  at  20  minutes  after  6  P.  M,  gave  the  painful  order  to  strike 
the  colours.  Seventy-five  men,  including  oncers,  were  all  that  re- 
mained of  my  whole  crew,  after  the  action,  capable  of  doing  duty, 
and  many  of  them  severely  wounded,  some  of  whom  have  since  died. 
The  enemy  still  continueahia  fire,  and  my  brave,  though  unfortunate 
companions  were  still  falling  about  me.  1  directed  an  opposite 
gun  to  be  fired,  to  show  them  we  intended  no  further  resistanca; 


'  " :>i!^ 


h'ut  thep  did  not  desist ;  four  men  were  kilicd  at  my  nde,  dnA 
others  in  different  parts  of  the  ship,  I  now  believed  he  intended 
to  show  us  no  quarter,  and  that  it  would  be  as  well  to  die  with 
my  fl(i^  flyin§;  an  struck,  and  was  on  the  point  of  again  hoisting 
it,  when,  about  ten  minutes  after  hauling  the  eoGura  down,  ht 
oeasnd  firing' 

I  cannot  speak  in  sufficientlj  high  terms  of  the  conduct  of  those 
engaged  for  such  an  unparalleled  length  of  time,  (under  such  cir- 
cnmstances)  with  me,  in  the  arduous  and  unequal  contest.  Let  it 
suffice  to  say,  that  more  bravery,  skill,  patriotism,  and  zeal,  were 
never  display cd  on  any  occasion;  every  one  seemed  determined 
to  die  in  defence  of  their  much  loved  country's  cause,  and  no- 
Hiing  but  views  to  humanity  could  ever  have  reconciled  them  to 
the  surrender  of  the  ship;  they  remembered  their  wounded  and 
helple.4s  ship-mates  below.  To  acting  lieutenants  M'Knight  and 
Cklenheimer,  I  feel  much  indebted  for  their  great  exertions  and 
bravery  throughout  the  action,  m  fighting  and  encouraging  the 
men  at  their  divisions,  for  the  dexterous  management  of  the  long 
^ns,  and  for  their  promptness  in  re*manning  their  guns,  as  their- 
crews  were  slaughtered.  The  conduct  of  that  brave  and  heroic 
officer,  acting  lieutenant  John  O.  Cowell,  who  lost  his  leg  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  action,  excited  the  admiration  of  every  man  in 
the  ship,  and  after  being  wounded,  would  not  consent  to  be  taken 
below,  until  loss  of  blood  rendered  him  insensible.  Mr.  Ed  ward 
Barnwell,  acting  sailing-master,  whose  activity  and  courage  were 
equally  conspicuous,  returned  on  deck  after  his  first  wound,  and 
remained  after  receiving  his  second,  until  fainting  with  loss  of 
blood.  Mr.  Samuel  B.  Johnston,  who  had  joined  me  the  day  be- 
fore, and  acted  as  marine  officer,  conducted  himself  with  great 
bravery,  and  exerted  himself  in  assisting  at  the  long  guns,  the 
musketry  after  the  first  hulf  hour  being  useless  (from  our  great 
distance). 

ilMr.  M.  W.  Bostwick,  whom  I  had  appointed  acting  purser  of 
the  Essex  Junior,  and  who  was  on  board  my  ship,  did  the  duties  of 
an  aid,  in  a  manner  which  reflects  on  him  the  highest  honour ; 
midshipmen  Isaacs,  Farragut,  and  Ogden,  as  well  as  acting  mid- 
shipmen James  Terrf ,  James  R.  Lyman,  and  Samuel  Ouzenbury^ 
ana  master's  mate  William  Pierce*  exerted  themselves  in  the  per- 
formance of  their  respective  duties,  and  gave  an  earnest  of  tneii* 
value  to  tlie  service ;  the  three  first  are  too  young  to  recommend 
for  promotion,  the  latter  I  bieg  leave  to  recommend  for  conbrma^ 
tion,  as  well  as  tiie  acting  lieutenants,  and  Messrs.  Barnwell;, 
Johnston,  and  Bostwick. 

We  have  been  unfortunate,  but  not  disgraced  i  the  defence  of 
the  Essex  has  not  been  less  honourable  to  her  officers  and  crew, 
than  the  capture  of  an  equal  force,  and  I  now  consider  my  situa- 
tion less  unpleasant  than  that  of  commodore  Hillyar,  who,  in  vio^ 
lation  of  every  principle  of  honour  and  generosity,  and  regardless 
of  the  rights  of  nations,  attacked  the  Essqx  in  her  crippled  state^ 


if   i' 

S  ■■  ■}    I 


I* -Mil 


K-  ■ 


■u>!' 


.!        .': 


360 


i 


i< . 


I  >  ( 


within  pistol-shot  of  a  nentral  shore ;  when  for  six  weeks  I  had 
daily  unered  hint  fair  and  honourable  combat,  on  terin8;creath  to 
his  advantage ;  the  blood  of  tiie  slain  must  be  on  liitt  head,  ami  he 
haA  ^j'et  to  reconcile  his  conduct  to  Heaven,  to  hin  con8ctence,and 
to  the  world.  The  annexed  extract  of  a  letter  from  com luud ore 
Hill^rar,  which  was  written  previously  to  his  returning  me  n\j 
sword,  will  Mhow  his  opinion  of  our  conduct. 

My  lo8s  has  been  dreadfully  severe;  58. killed  or  have  since 
died  of  their  wounds,  and  among  theiu  is  lieutenant  Cowell;-  59 
were  severely  wounded,  £7  slightly,  and  31  hre  missing  ;  iiiaking 
in  all  154,  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  a  list  of  whose  names  is 
annexed. 

The  professional  knowledge  ot  doctor  Richard  Hoftmah,  act- 
ing surgeon,  and  doctor  Al(»xai;der  Montgomery,  acting  surgeon's 
mate,  added  to  their  assiduity,  and  the  l^nevoient  attentions  and 
assistance  of  Mr.  D.  P.  Ad  urns,  the  chaplain,  saved  the  lives  of 
many  of  the  wounded.  Those  gentlemen  have  been  indefatigable 
in  their  attentions  to  them ;  t*  e  two  first  1  be^  leave  to  recom- 
mend for  confirmation,  and  the  lancr  to  ty.c  notice  of  tlie  depart-* 
ment. 

I  must  in  justice  to  mvself  observe,  that  with  our  six  IS  poun- 
ders only  we  fought  this  action,  our  carronades  being  almost 
useless. 

The  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  has  been  great  with  the  ene- 
my ;  among  the  former  is  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Phcebe,  and  of 
the  latter  captain  Tucker,  of  the  Cherub,  w  hose  wounds  are  se- 
vere. Both  the  Essex  and  Photbe  were  in  a  sinking  state,  and 
it  was  with  difficulty  they  could  be  kept  afloat  until  anchored  in 
Valparaiso  next  morning.  The  shattered  state  of  the  Essex  will, 
I  believe,  prevent  her  ever  reaching  England,  and  1  also  think  it 
will  be  out  of  their  pow  er  to  repair  the  damages  of  the  Phcpbe,  so 
as  to  enable  her  to  double  Cape  Horn.  All  the  masts  and  yards 
of  the  Phoebe  and  Cherub  are  badly  crippled,  and  tlieir  hulls  much 
cut  up;  the  former  had  eighteen  1^  pound  shot  through  her  below 
her  water  line,  sonte  three  feet  under  water.  Nothing  but  the 
amootiiness  ot  the  water  saved  both  the  Phcebe  and  Essex. 

1  hope,  sir,  that  our  conduct  may  (/rove'  satisfactory  to  our 
country,  and  that  it  will  testify  it  by  obtaining  our  speedy  ex- 
change, tlmt  we  may  again  have  i  in  our  power  to  prove  our 
zeal. 

Commodore  Hillyar  (I  am  informed,)  has  thought  proper  to 
state  to  his  goveriunent,  that  the  action  only  lasted  45  utinuu^. 
Should  he  have  done  so,  the  motive  may  be  easily  discovered ;  but 
the  thousands  of  disinterested  witnessea  who  covered  the  surround- 
ing hills,  can  testify  that  we  fought  his  ships  near  two  houra  and 
a  half;  upwards  of  50  broadsides  were  fired  by  tiie  enemy,  agreea- 
bly to  their  own  accounts,  and  upwards  of  7o  by  ours ;  except  the 
few  minutes  they  were  re^.lring  damages^  the  firii^  was  mcea- 
•ftnt. 


>  ^' 


Soon  after  my  capture,  T  entered  into  an  agreement  with  eDro> 
modui-e  Hillyar  tudiiiurm  my  pri/.e,  the  Khscx  Junior,  ami  proc(>ed 
with  the  survivors  uf  my  officers  and  crew  in  her  to  the  United 
States,  taking  with  me  her  officer*  and  crew.  He  consented  to 
grant  her  a  passport  to  secure  her  from  re-capture.  The  ship  was 
small,  and  we  knew  we  had  much  to  sutler,  yet  we  hoped  soun  to 
reach  our  country  in  safety,  that  we  might  again  have  it  in  our 
power  to  serve  it.  This  arrHnmrement  was  attended  with  no  addi-^ 
tiottal  expense,  as  she  wa  abundantly  supplied  with  provisions 
and  stores  for  the  voyage. 

Injustice  to  commodore  Hillyar,  I  must  observe,  that,  (altl.oiigh 
I  can  never  be  reconciled  to  the  manner  of  his  attack  on  the  Essex^ 
or  to  his  conduct  before  the  action)  he  has,  since  our  capture, 
shown  the  greatest  humanity  to  my  wounded,  (whom  he  permitted 
me  to  land,  on  condition  that  the  United  States  should  bear  their 
expenses.)  and  l:as  endeavoured,  as  much  as  lay  in  his  power,  to 
alleviate  the  distresses  of  war  by  the  most  eenerous  and  delicate 
deportment  towards  my  officers  and  crew  ;  he  gave  orders  that  the 
*  property  of  every  person  should  be  respected  ;  which  orders,  howe- 
ver, were  not  so  strictly  attended  to  as  might  have  been  eN])erted ; 
besides  being  deprived  of  books,  charts,  lice.  Ike.  both  myself  and 
officers  lost  mkny  articles  of  our  clothing,  some  to  a  considerable 
amount.  I  should  not  have  considered  ihis  last  circumstance  of 
sufficient  importance  to  notice,  did  it  not  mark  a  striking  differ- 
ence between  the  navy  of  Great  Britain  and  that  of  the  United 
States,  highly  creditable  to  the  latter. 

By  the  arrival  of  the  Tagus,  a  few  days  after  my  capture,  I  was 
informed,  that  besides  the  ships  which  had  arrived  in  the  Pacific 
in  pursuit  of  me,  and  those  still  expected,  others  were  sent  to 
cruize  for  me  in  the  China  Seas,  oft'  New  Zealand,  Timor,  and 
New  Holland,  and  that  another  frigate  was  sent  to  the  river  la 
Plate. 

To  possess  the  Essex  it  has  cost  the  British  government  near 
six  millions  of  dollars,  and  yet,  sir,  her  capture  was  owing  entirely 
to  accident ;  and  if  we  consider  tlie  expedition  with  which  naval 
contests  are  now  decided,  the  action  is  a  dishonour  to  them.  Had 
they  brought  their  ships  boldly  into  action,  with  a  force  so  ery 
superior,  and  having  the  choice  of  position,  they  should  either  have 
captured  or  destroyed  us  in  one  tburtli  the  time  they  were  about 
it. 

During  the  action,  our  consul  general  Mr.  Poinsett,  called  on 
the  governor  of  Valparaiso,  and  requested  that  the  batteries  might 
protect  the  Essex.  This  request  was  refused,  but  he  promised 
that  if  she  slnmld  succeed  in  lighting  her  v/ay  to  the  common  an- 
chorage, that  he  would  send  an  officer  to  the  British  commander 
and  request  him  to  cease  firing,  but  declined  using  force  under 
anv  ciicumstances,  and  there  is  no  doubt  a  perfect  understanding 
existed  between  them.  Ti.is  conduct, added  Ut  iheassistauce^isen 
to  the  British,  and  their  friendly  rcceptiuii  after  the  action,  and 


M 


958 


■tn- 


mm  ■ 


fl 

if: 

--■■  Iff 

II  \ 

tlie  strong  bias  of  the  faction  which  ji^vem  Chili  in  favor  of  th« 
Kns;liMh,  as  well  :«h  their  inhoBpitality  tu  the  AiiiericaiiH,  induced 
Mr.  Poinsett  to  leave  that  country.  Under  such  circuin8tance», 
I  did  not  conceive  it  would  be  proper  for  itie  tu  claim  the  restora- 
tion of  wy  Hhip,  confident  that  the  claim  would  he  made  by  my 
government  to  more  effect.  Findin(^  some  difficulty  in  the  sale  of 
my  prizes,  I  had  taken  the  Hector  and  Catharine  to  nea  and  burnt 
them  with  their  cargoes. 

I  exchanged  lieutenant  M'Kni<;ht,  Mr.  Adams,  and  Mr.  Lyman, 
and  eleven  tusamen,  for  part  of  the  crew  of  the  8ir  Andrew  Ham- 
mond ;  and  sailed  from  Valparaiso  on  the  27th  April,  where  the 
enemy  were  still  patching  up  their  ships,  to  put  them  in  a  state  for 
procetedinx  to  Uio  dn  Janeiro,  previou8,to  going  to  England. 

Annexed  is  a  lint  of  the  remains  of  my  crew  to  be  exchanged* 
as  also  a  copy  of  \.-<e  corre»]:)ondence  between  commodore  Hillyar 
and  myself  on  that  s  ibjcct.  1  also  send  ynu  a  list  of  the  prison- 
ers I  have  taken  dunng  my  cruize,  amounting  to  343. 

1*  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

D.  PORTER. 
The  honourable  Secretary  of  the  Na^y 
.    of  the  United  Stiites,  Washington. 

P.  S.  To  give  you  a  correct  iilea  of  the  state  of  the  Essex  at 
the  time  of  her  surrender,  1  send  vou  the  boatHwain's  and  carpen- 
ter's report  of  damages ;  1  also  send  you  a  report  of  the  divi- 
sions. 


Ejctract  of  a  letter  from  commodore  Hillyar  to  commodore  Porter, 

"PIKEOE,  April  4lh,  1814. 
"MY  DEAR  SIR, 

"  Neither  in  our  conversations,  nor  in  the  accompanying  let- 
ter, have  I  mentioned  your  sword.  Ascribe  my  remissness  in  the 
first  instance  to  forgetfulncss;  I  consider  it  only  in  my  servant's 
possession  with  my  own,  until  the  master  may  please  to  call  for 
ft ;  and  although  (  omitted,  at  the  moment  oi  representation, 
from  my  mind  being  much  engrossed  in  attending  to  professional 
dutit's,  to  offer  its  restoration,  the  hand  that  received  will  be  most 
gladly  extended  to  ppt  it  i!i  possession  of  him  who  wore  it  so  ho- 
nourably in  defence  of  his  country's  cause. 

"  Believe  me,  my  dear  sir,  &c. 

•JAMES  HILLYAR." 


JifUr  some  conversation  on  the  subject,  the  following  correspond 

dence  took  place, 

VALPARAISO,  April  4th,  1814 

SIR. 

Taking  into  consideration  the  immense  distance  we  are  from 
our  respective  ooantries,  tUa  uncertainty  of  the  future  movements 


^50 


of  his  majeiity's  *\\\y^  under  my  command,  which  precludes  the 

ftosgibility  uf  my  making  a  permanent  amin^oiuent  fur  traasport- 
ng  the  officerH  and  crew  uf  tite  lute  b%»vi\  to  Kurope;  attd  tha 
fa$it  approaching  season  which  rMiiders  a  pannage  round  Cape  Horn 
in  some  degree  dangerous  ;  I  have  the  honour  to  propose  for  your 
approbation  the  following  articles,  which,  I  hope,  the  government 
of  the  United  States  as  well  as  that  of  Great  Rritain,  will  deem 
satisfactory  ;  and  rcc|uest,  that  should  you  conceive  them  so,  you 
will  favor  njft  with  the  necessary  bond  for  their  fulfilment. 

Ist.  The  Essex  Junior  to  be  deprived  of  all  her  armament  and 
perfectly  neutralized;  to  be  equipped  for  the  voyage  solely  and 
wholly  at  the  expense  of  the  Anicncan  government ;  and  to  pro- 
ceed with  a  proper  American  officers  and  crew  (of  which  I  wish 
to  be  furnished  with  a  list,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  the  neces- 
sary passport)  to  any  port  in  the  United  States  of  America,  that 
you  may  deem  most  propoi . 

2d.  Yourself,  the  officers,  petty  officers,  seamen  and  marines, 
Ulc.  composing  ;;^our  crew,  to  be  exchanged  immediately  on  their 
arrival  in  America,  for  an  equal  number  of  British  prisoners  of 
similar  rank ;  yourself  and  officers  to  be  considered  on  their 
parole  of  honour  until  your  and  their  exchange  shall  be  effected. 
In  case  of  tiie  foregoing  articles  being  accepted  tbe  Essex  Juni- 
or will  be  expected  to  prepare  immediately  for  her  voyage,  and 
to  proceed  on  it  before  tne  expiration  ot  the  present  month. 
Should  any  of  the  wounded,  at  that  period,  be  found  incapable  of 
removal,  from  not  being  sufficiently  advanced  in  their  recovery, 
the  most  iiumane  attention  shall  be  paid  to  them  ;  and  they  shall 
be-  forwarded  home  by  the  first  favourable  conveyance  that  maj 
offer. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JAMES  HILLYAR. 
Cap.  David  Porter,  late  commander 

ot  thu  U.  S.  frigute  Kssex,  Valparaiso. 


SIR. 


VALPARAISO,  April  5tl»,  1814. 


I  have  the  honour  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  several 
favours  of  yesterday's  date. 

The  conditions  offered  by  you  for  our  retvrn  to  the  United 
States  are  perfectly  satisfactory  to  me ;  m^  I  entertain  no  doubts 
of  their  being  equally  so  to  my  country.  I,  therefore,  do  not 
hesitate  to  pledge  my  honour  (the  strongest  bond  I  can  give)  that 
every  article  of  the  arrangement  shall,  on  our  part,  be  fully  com- 
plied  with.  A  list  of  the  Essex  Junior's  crew  shall  be  furnished 
you  as  soon  as  it  can  be  made  out,  and  her  disarmament  effected 
with  all  possible  despatch. 

I  have  the  lionour  to  be,  &c. 

DAVID  PORTER. 

Com.  Jamei*  Flillyar,  commanding 

H.  B.  M'a  frigate  Phoebe,  Vuparais*. 


i 


-"TV 


i' 


V 
II 

Jl  ■ 

I 

i 


i 


r 


i''-' 


■in 


■ "  ■ 

-  ii  -A 

m 

.y  ■  ■*  l.;ii 

Onmmodore  HillyM*  sent  me  a  paDcr  certifyinr  ir,  il  .\«  7>  il  rxehanncd 
certain  imlivuluuN,  tlivrcin  named,  maVing  part  oftItrci<  'v  tithe  iiir  Ajitlrew 
llanmion<l,  for  an  eniial  nunibt-r  of  tlie  nuMt  acvervly  woUiKled  of  my  crew  i 
this  occaaioncd  the  following;  letten: 


SIR, 


VALPARAISO,  April  4th,  1814 


I  have  received  a  paper  signed  by  you,  dated  yeaterday, 
atating,  that  vou  had  exchanged  certain  wounded  primmpra, 
making  part  of  my  crew,  for  the  captain  and  crew  of  the  prize 
•hip Sir  Andrew  Hammond,  which  paper  f  have  taken  the  liberty 
to  return  to  you,  and  protest  in  the  strongest  terms  against  sucn 
arrangement. 

In  the  first  place,  the^lrounded  and  helplesn  individuals  therein 
named,  do  not  wish  such  exchange ;  one  died  last  night  and  sevenU 
others  expect  to  share  his  fate. 

Seconaly,  should  I  from  my  circumstances  be  separated  from 
them,  which  would  be  more  likely  to  be  the  case  than  if  they 
reiunincd  prisoners,  their  situation  would  be  more  deplorable  than 
it  is  at  present. 

Thirdly,  this  arrangement  has  been  made  without  my  consent, 
and  on  terms  far  from  offering  equal  advantages  to  tne  United 
States. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

D.  PORTER. 
Cora.  James  iiillyar,  commanding 

H.  B.  MN  frigate  Phoebe. 


SIR. 


HIS  BRITANNIC  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  PHfEBK, 

ValpanuM),  April  4th,  1814. 


I  have  the  honour  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter 
of  this  day's  date,  protesting  against  the  arrangement  I  made  in 
the  vaper  you  returned,  ana  to  express  a  regret  that  my  wish, 
whict)  was  to  alleviate  and  not  to  increase  the  afflictions  of  your 
wounded  officers  and  crew,  has  failed  of  being  gratified,  i  am 
sorry  you  have  thought  proper  to  mention  the  dead  and  dying, 
as  I  so  fully  explained  to  you  this  morning,  that  in  the  event  of 
the  loss  of  any,  other  names  should  be  added  to  the  list.  I  shall 
now  direct  captain  David  Porter  to  consider  himself  still  a  prison- 
er of  war  on'nis  pande;  but  as  I  have  ordered  the  people  to  go 
on  board  tlie  Essex  to  work,  under  the  impression  that  no  difficul- 
ty would  arise,  I  will  liberate  in  exchange  for  them  an  eqtal 
number  of  prisoners,  as  their  names,  being  seamen,  shall  be  found 
to  follow  each  other  on  your  late  ship's  books,  and  give  np  also 
two  mates  or  midnhipmen,  for  the  two  mates  of  the  English  party. 
I  hope  this  may  prove  satisfactory  to  your  govcrr><nent  and  self. 

I  am  yuUrs,  c  c. 

JAMES  M  LLYAR, 
Captain  D.Porter. 


S6& 


VR; 


VALPARAISO,  April  ith,  1814 


The  trrtngement  which  you  have  suggented  reiipecting  the 
exchange  of  the  teamen  of  the  Sir  Andrew  Hammond,  for  an 
equal  number  of  the  teamen  of  the  late  United  Statet*  frigat« 
Ettex,  at  they  ttand  on  the  Htt  furnithed  you,  it  perfectly  tatit- 
factory.  It  will  be  a  great  tatiafaction  to  the  three  officera  who 
accompany  the  Ettex,  to  know,  that  after  your  object  in  taking 
them  with  you  thall  be  effected,  there  will  be  no  difficulty  in  their 
proceeding  immediately  for  the  United  Statet ;  I  take  tne  liberty 
therefore  to  tuggett  that  they  might  be  exchanged  here  for  captain 
William  Porter  and  hit  three  matet.  Thia  will  be  an  accommo- 
dation to  all  partiet,  and  reconcile  the  officert  to  exchanged  to  » 
leparation  from  .their  friendt. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 


€on.  Junes  Hillyar,  commanding 

II.  B.M'»ing»te  Phoebe. 


DAVIO  PORTER. 


V  NEW  YOKK,  July  13th,  1814. 

SIR, 

There  are  some  facts  relating  to  our  enemy,  and  althoush 
not  connected  with  the  action  tend  to  show  his  perfidy,  and  should 
Se  known. 

On  commodore  Hillyar's  arrival  at  Valparaiso,  he  ran  tho 
Phcebe  close  along  side  nie  Essex,  and  enquired  politely  after  m> 
health,  observing  that  his  ship  was  cleared  for  action,  and  his  men 
prepared  for  boarding.  I  observed,  "  Sir,  if  you,  by  any  accident, 
get  on  board  of  me,  I  assure  you  that  great  confusion  will  take 

Slace ;  I  am  prepared  to  receive  you,  but  shall  only  act  on  the 
efensive.*'  He  observed  coolly  and  indifferently,  "  Oh,  sir,  I  have 
no  such  intention ;"  at  this  instant  his  ship  took  aback  on  my 
starboard  bow,  her  yards  nearly  locking  with  tliose  of  the  Essex. 
I  called  all  hands  to  board  the  enemy ;  and  in  an  instant  my  crew 
were  ready  to  springj  on  her  decks.  Commodore  Hillyar  exclaim- 
ed, with  great  agitation,  **  I  had  no  intention  of  cominj;  so  near 
vou.  I  am  sorry  I  came  so  near  you."  His  ship  fell  ofi^with  the 
jib-boom  over  my  decks ;  her  bows  exposed  to  my  broadside,  her 
stern  to  the  fire  of  the  Essex  Junior,  her  crew  in  the  greatest  con- 
fusion ;  and  in  fifteen  minutes  I  could  have  taken  or  destroyed  her. 
After  he  had  brouj^ht  his  ship  to  anchor,  commodore  Hillyar  and 
captain  Tucker,  oAhe  Cheruo,  visited  me  on  shore,  when  I  asked 
him  if  he  intended  te  respect  the  neutrality  of  the  port.  "  Sir," 
said  he,  **  you  have  paid  such  respect  to  t^ie  neutralitv  of  this  port 
that  I  feel  myself  bound,  in  honour ^  to  do  the  same." 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

9AVID  PORTER. 
The  Secretai;  of  the  Navy. 

.46 


^60 


[ft  'ia  deemed  proper  to  introduce  the  following  letters  in  this  place,  m  ther 
are  the  sequel  or  captain  Porter  &  cruize  in  th>:  Pacific. — Editor.] 


SIR, 


NEW  YORK,  August  28th,  1815. 


I  have  the  honour  to  inform  jou  that  on  the  12th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1813,  (the  day  on  which  the  Essex  frigate  and  Essex  Junior 
took  their  departure  from  Nooaheevah,)  I  was  left  in  Port  Anna 
Maria  Bay,  with  eighteen  men  under  my  command,  and  six  pri- 
soners of  war  in  charge  of  the  establishment  on  shore,  together 
with  the  prize  ships  Greenwich,  Seringapatam,  Sir  Andrew  Ham- 
mond, and  New  Zealander,  with  orders  from  captain  Porter  to 
remain  five  and  a  half  calendar  months  at  that  place ;  at  the  '^  <- 
piration  of  which  time,  should  he  not  return  or  send  me  further 
instructions  how  to  act,  I  was,  if  possible,  io  man  two  of  the  ships, 
and  after  taking  every  article  of  value  out  of  the  other  and  burn- 
ing her,  repair  to  the  port  of  Valparaiso,  where,  in  the  event  of 
not  finding  the  frigate,  or  additional  orders,  I  was  authorized  to 
dispose  ofone  of  me  ships  to  the  best  advantage,  and  take  all  the 
men  under  my  charge,  as  well  as  the  prize  crews  of  the  different 
ships  then  in  that  port,  on  board  of  the  other,  and  proceed  to  the 
United  States. 

After  receiving  these  instructions  my  first  object  was,  agreea- 
bly to  captain  Porter's  wish,  to  fill  the  New  Zealander  with  oil 
from  the  other  ships,  and  on  the  28th  day  of  December,  she  took 
her  departure  for  tne  United  States,  with*  a  cai^  of  1950  barrels, 
and  well  found  in  every  respect  for  so  long  a  voyage. 

It  is  with  regret  I  inform  you,  that  the  frigate  had  scarcely  got 
clear  of  the  Marquesas,  before  we  discovered  a  hostile  dispo- 
sition in  the  .natives,  and  in  a  few  days  they  br^canie  so  insolent, 
that  I  found  it  absolutely  necessary,  not  only  for  the  security  of 
the  ships  and  property  on  shore,  but  for  our  personal  safety,  to 
land  my  men  and  regain  by  force  of  i'.rms  the  numerous  articles 
they  had  in  the  most  daring  manner  stolen  from  the  encampment; 
and  what  was  of  still  greater  importance,  to  prevent,  if  possible, 
the  execution  of  threats,  which  might  have  been  at 'ended  with 
very  serious  consequences  to  us,  as  duty  required  my  m'^ix  to  be 
much  separated.  I,  however,  had' the  satisfaction  to  accomplish 
my  wish  without  firing  a  musket,  and  from  that  time  lived  in  per- 
fect amity  with  t^^ -m,  until  the  7th  day  of  May  following,  when 
my  distressed  situation  had  nearly  placed  me  in  their  power.  Be- 
fore, however,  mentioning  the  lamentable  events  of  that  and  the 
two  following  days,  I  will  give  you  a  brief  account  of  a  few  pre- 
ceding occurrences,  which  were  sources  of  great  uneasiness:  < 

The  first  was  the  death  of  John  Witter,  (a  faithful  old  marine 
who  was  unfortunately  drowned  in  the  surf  on  the  28t)i  of  Februa- 
ry,) and  the  desertion  of  four  of  my  men;  oae  of  them,  a  black 
named  Isaac  Coflin,  had  deserted  from  the  Essex  the  day  before 
she  left  the  bay,  and  was  then  a  prisoner  for  making  the  second 
attempt.    They  toc'k  advantage  of  a  dark  night,  and  left  the  bay 


!• 


363 


Mthey 

1815. 

)ecem- 

Junior 

t  Anna 

sU  pri- 

w  Ham- 
orter  to 
;  the  ^  > 
5  further 
he  ships, 
nd  burn- 
event  of 
[»rixed  to 
Le  a\l  the 
different 
>ed  to  the 

,,  agreea- 
r  with  oil 
,  she  took 
30  barrels, 

ircely  got 
lie  dispo- 
)  insolent, 
lecurity  of 
safety,  to 
us  articles 
ampTOcnt; 
7  piisnible, 
jnded  with 
..»ix  to  be 
iccomplish 
ed  in  per- 
inj5,  when 
Bwer.   Be- 
[hi  and  the 
a  few  pre- 
isiness: ; 
[old  marine 
of  Februa- 
in,  a  black 
day  before 
the  second 
left  the  bay 


in  a  whale  boat,  unobserved,  fall,  except  the  prisoner,  havine  the 
Watch  on  deck),  andcarried  off  several  muskets,  a  supply  of  am- 
munition, and  many  things  of  but  little  value.  I  was  prevented 
from  pursuing  them,  as  they  had  in  a  measure  destroyed  the  only 
remaining  boat  at  that  time  seaworthy. 

On  the  12th  of  April  we  commenced  rigging  the  Serinsapatam, 
and  Sir  Andrew  Hammond,  which,  as  I  had  calculated^  kept  the 
men  employed  until  the  Ist  of  May.  All  hands  were  then  engage 
ed  in  removing  the  remainder  of  the  property  from  the  Green- 
wich to  the  Seringapatam,  as  I  began  to  aespair  of  being  rejoined 
by  the  frigate  at  that  place. 

The  work  went  on  well,  and  the  men  were  obedient  to  my  or- 
ders, though  I  discovered  an  evident  change  in  their  countenances 
which  led  me  to  suppose  that  there  was  something  wrong  in  agi- 
tation. Under  that  impression  I  caused  all  the  muskets,  ammu- 
nition, and  small  arms  of  every  description,  to  be  removed  from 
the  other  ships  to  the  Greenwich,  (the  one  on  board  of  which  I 
lived,)  as  a  necessary  precaution  a^inst  a  surprise  from  my  own 
men. 

On  the  rth  of  May,  while  on  l)oard  the  Seringapatam,  on  duty 
which  required  my  presence,  I  was  suddenly  and  violently  at- 
tacked by  the  men  employed  in  that  ship.  After  struggline  a 
short  time  and  receiving  many  bruizes,  I  was  prostratedon  tiie 
deck  and  my  hands  and  legs  tied.  They  then  threw  me  on  the 
second  deck,  thence  dragged  me  into  the  cabin  and  confined  me 
in  the  run.  Midshipman  Feltus,  and  acting  midshipman  Clapp, 
were  in  a  few  minutes  after  thrown  in,  tied  in  the  same  manner  as 
myself;  the  scuttle  was  then  nailed  down  and  a  sentinel  placed 
over  it.  After  spiking  all  the  guns  of  the  Greenwich  and  of  the  Fort, 
and  those  of  the  Sir  Andrew  Hammond  that  were  loaded;  plun- 
dering the  ships  of  every  thing  valuable ;  rommittiug  many  wan- 
ton depredations  on  shore ;  taking  all  tiie  arms  ana  ammunition 
from  the  Greenwich ;  sending  for  lUibert  White,  who  was  turned 
ashore  from  the  Essex  for  mutinous  conduct ;  and  bending  all  the 
necessary  sails ;  they  stood  out  of  the  bay  with  a  light  wind  off 
the  land.  My  fellow  prisoners  and  myself  were  shortly  after 
taken  cut  of  the  run  ana  placed  in  the  cabin,  under  the  immediate 
charge  of  several  men.  I  then  learned  the  names  of  the  mutineers, 
and  assure  you,  sir,  even  in  my  truly  painful  situation,  it  afforded 
me  no  small  degree  of  consolation,  tKat  there  were  no  Americans 
among  them. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  mutineers  and  prisoners  of 
war :— Thomas  Belcher,  boatswain^s  mate.  Englishman ;  James 
Bantum,  negro;  Martin  Stanley,  foreigner;  Robert  George,  Jo- 
seph Curtis,  Richard  Power,  and  Jeremiah  Workman,  English-^ 
men,  (who  entered  on  board  the  Essex  from  the  whaling  ships 
captured  in  the  Pacific  Ocean,)  and  Robert  White,  mutineer. — 
Prisoners,  William  Clarke,  Lewis  Ransford,  James  MorritQS, 
William  Stiles,  James  Duncan,  and  Robert  Lambries. 


mum 


,'    '  1 


■  fill.' 


mi 


,  5 .:  ■ 


Si:,':: 


364 

Shortly  after  getting  clear  of  the  bay,  one  of  the  sentineli,  (al- 
though repeated^  cautioned  against  putting  his  fineer  on  the  trig-l 
fer)  fired  a  pistol,  the  contents  of  which  passed  through  my  iMt 
eel  a  little  below  the  ancle  bone.  As  soon  as  the  men  on  deck 
heard  the  report,  they  immediately  pointed  their  muskets  down 
idle  sky-light  and  were  in  the  act  of  nring,  but  were  prevented  by 
the  sentinel,  who  told  them  that  the  pistol  was  accidentally  dis- 
charged. 

At  nine  o'clock,  the  night  dark,  and  the  wind  blowing  fresh, 
after  receiving  (by  request)  from  the  mutineers  a  barrel  of  powder 
and  three  olumuskets,  1  was  put  into  a  leaky  boat,  in  which  I 
found  my  unfortunate  companions,  and  the  only  two  Americans 
that  were  in  the  ship  at  the  time  the  mutiny  took  place,  the  others 
being  employed  on  board  the  Greenwich,  and  on  shore,  in  putting 
the  arms  m  order,  baking  bread,  and  doing  other  work  which  re- 
qjiired  the  most  trusty.    In  this  situation,  after  rowing  at  least 
SIX  miles,  and  every  person  exhausted  from  the  sreat  exertions 
made  to  keep  the  boat  from  sinking,  we  reached  the  Greenwich, 
where  1  found  the  few  remaining  men  anxiously  looking  out  for 
me,  and  seriously  alarmed  at  the  conduct  of  the  savages,  who  had 
already  begun  to  plunder  the  encampment,  and  been  informed  by 
Wilson,  (u  man  who  had  lived  among  them  for  several  years,  and 
who,  as  1  afterwards  learned,   was  not  only  instrumental  in  pro-« 
moting  the  mutiny,  but,  in  my  absence,  plundered  the  Sir  Andrew 
Hammond)  of  our  defenceless  situation. 

Finding  it  impossible  to  comply  with  that  ;)art  of  my  instruc- 
tions, directing  me  to  remain  in  the  bay  until'  the  2rth  of  May,  I 
thought  it  most  advisable  to  repair  to  the  port  of  Valparaiso,  and 
with  that  view,  all  hands,  assisted  by  George  Ross  and  William 
Brudenell,  (who  were  living  on  the  island  for  the  purpose  of  col- 
lecting sandal  wood,)  exerted  themselves  in  making  the  necessary 
preparations  to  depart.    My  first  object  was  to  put  the  Sir  An- 
drew Hammonds'^  such  a  situation,  that  we  might  get  under  way 
at  any  moment.    After  which,  all  hands  were  engaged  in  getting 
the  few  articles  of  value  from  shore,  and  in  endeavouring  to  reco- 
ver the  property  stolen  from  the  Sir  Andrew  Hammond,  when  the 
savages  made  an  unprovoked  and  wanton  attack  upon  us,  in  which 
I  have  with  the  deepest  regret  to  inform  you,  tfiat  midshipmen 
William  Feltus,  John  Thomas,  Thomas  Gibbs,  and  William  Bru- 
denell,  were   massacred,   and    Peter  Coddington  dangerously 
wounded,  who,  with  William  Worth,  made  his  escape  by  swim- 
ming some  dist«.nce,  when  they  were  both  taken  out  of  the  water 
by  acting'midshipman  Clapp,  and  the  three  remaining  men.    Our 
situation  at  this  moment  was  most  desperate.    I'he  savages  put 
oflfhi  every  direction  for  the  purpose  of  intercepting  the  boat  and 
boarding  the  ship,  but  were  driven  back  by  my  nring  the  few  guns 
we  had  just  before  loaded  with  grape  and'cannister  shot.    Before 
the  boat  returned  and  the  guns  were  re-loaded  thej  made  a  second 
attempt,  and  afterwards  repeated  efforts,  first  to  board  the  Green- 


365 

wtcK&nd  then  the  Sir  Andrew  Hammond,  but  were  repulsed  bj 
our  keeping  up  a  constant  fire.  During  this  time  several  hun- 
dred were  employed  in  pulling  down  the  houses  and  plundering 
tlie  encampment,  whilst  others  were  in  the  fort,  endeavouring  (as- 
sisted by  Wilson,  who  had  received  several  casks  of  powder  from 
the  mutineers)  to  get  the  spikes  out  of  the  guns.  As  soon  as 
"William  Worth  had  recovered  a  little  strength,  after  having  been 
■o  long  in  the  water,  I  sent  the  boat  to  the  Greenwich  for  John 
Pettinger,  a  sick  man,  and  some  thincs  that  were  indispensably 
necessary,  with  orders  to  bum  that  ship  and  return  with  all  pos- 
sible despatch,  as  our  ammunition  was  nearly  expended,  and  we 
had  no  other  means  of  keeping  the  savages  one  moment  out  of  the 
ship.  We  then  bent  the  jiD  and  spanker,  cut  the  moonngs,  and 
luckilj^  had  a  light  breeze,  which  carried  us  clear  of  the  bay,  with 
only  six  cartridges  remaining. 

We  now  found  our  situation  most  distressing,  for  in  attempting 
to  run  the  boat  up  she  broke  in  two  parts,  and  we  were  compelled 
to  cut  away  from  the  bows  the  only  remaining  anchor,  not  being 
able  to  cast  it.  We  mustered  altogether  eight  souls,  of  whom 
there  were  one  cripple  confined  to  his  bed ;  one  man  dangerously 
wounded;  one  sick;  one  convalescent  (a  feeble  old  man  just  re- 
covering from  the  scurvy) ;  and  mvself  unable  to  lend  any  further 
'  assistance,  the  exertions  of  the  day  having  inflamed  my  wound 
80  much  as  to  produce  a  violent  fever ;  leaving  midshipman  Clapp 
and  two  men  only  capable  of  doing  duty. 

In  that  state,  destitute  of  charts,  and  of  every  means  of  getting 

to  windward,  I  saw  but  one  alternative ;  to  run  the  trade  m  inds 

down,  and,  if  possible,  make  the  Sandwich  islands,  in  hopes  of 

either  falling  in  with  some  of  the  Canton  ships  (that  being  their 

principal  place  of  rendezvous)  or  of  obtaining  some  assistance  from 

Tamaahmaah,  king  of  the  Windw^n^  Islands*    No  time  was  lost 

in  bending  ihe  topsails,  snd  on  iL«*  10th  of  May  we  took  our 

departure  from  Robert's  Island,  on  the  25th  of  the  same  month 

made  Owhyhee,  and  on  the  30th,  after  suffering  much,  came  to 

anchor  in  whytetee  Bay,  at  the  Island  of  Woahoo.   I  here  found 

captain  Winship,  several  olVir  »rs  of  ships,  and  a  number  of  men, 

from  whom  (particularly  captain  W.)  1  received  every  assistance 

their  situations  could  aflfora  me.    The   natives,  though  at  first 

curprised  at  our  deplorable  condition,  and  inquisitive  to  know  the 

cause,  of  which  I  aid  not  think  prudent  to  inform  them,  suppUed 

tbs  ship  with  fresh  meat,  fruits  and  vegetables,  nartlv  on  condition 

that  I  would  take  the  chief  man  of  the  ii»land  and  some  others, 

with  their  property  up  to  the  Winil  vard  Island,  where  I  found  it 

necessary  to  go  (after  shipping  some  men)  in  order  to  procure  from 

the  king,  a  supply  of  provisions.    Thence,  it  was  my  intention  to 

have  proceeded  to  Valparaiso,  in  compliance  with  my  instructions 

from  captain  Porter,  but  I  was  unfortunately  captured  on   he 

passage  by  the  English  ship  Cherub,  of  twenty  guns.   I  was  some 

iirhat  lurprised  to  hear  captain  Tucker  say  (when  I  pointed  ovtt 


:,  v:) 


fl 


f1 


1           i 

,(i  J, 

,  ! 

'   * 

.     '; 

\i 

.vi     1 

^69 

ft  valuabIe>canoe  and  many  other  articlei,  whi«h  I  asftur^  him 
was  the  property  of  the  natives,  and  that  I  was  merely  conveying 
them  anu  it  from  one  island  to  the  other,  the  weather  being  too 
boisterous  at  that  time  for  them  to  make  the  passage,  in  their 
canoes)  that  every  thing  found  in  a  prize  ship  belonged  to  the 
captors.  I  thus  had  the  mortification  to  see  the  peo  Je,  from 
whom  I  had  received  so  much  kindness,  sent  on  shore,  deprived 
of  all  they  had  been  collecting  for  twelve  months,  and  were  about 
to  present  to  their  kins  as  a  tribute. 

The  Cherub  proceeded  to  Atooi,  where  she  captured  the  ship 
Charon,  and  made  many  fruitless  attempts  togettne  carso  of  that 
ship,  and  of  several  others  which  had  itetn  deposited  on  tne  island 
under  the  immediate  protection  of  the  king  (if  the  Leeward 
Islands.  She  took  her  departure  on  the  15th  of  July,  and  on  the 
28th  of  November  arrived  at  Rio  de  Janeiro  with  her  prizes, 
tonchin?  on  the  passage  for  refreshments  at  Otaheite  and  Valpa- 
raiso. During  her  stay  at  the  latter  place,  the  frigates  Britton 
and  Tagus  arrived  from  the  Marquesas,  where  they  had  been  in 
search  of  the  ships  left  under  my  charge.  On  the  15th  of  Decem- 
ber the  prisoners  were  sent  on  shore,  having  received  the  most 
rigorous  treatment  from  captain  Tucker  during  their  long  confine- 
ment in  his  ship,  and  the  greater  part  of  them,  like  the  natives, 
left  destitute  ot  every  thing,  save  the  clothes  on  their  backs.  The 
men  belonging  to  the  Essex  had  little  to  lose,  but  those  I  shipped 
at  Woahoo,  had  received  in  part  money  and  goods,  for  one,  two, 
and  some  of  them  three  years  .ie'~"ices  in  the  Canton  ships. 

On  the  15th  of  May  (by  the  advice  of  a  physician  who  attended 
me,)  I  took  my  departure  from  Rio  de  Janeiro  in  a  Swedish  ship, 
bound  to  Havre  ae  Grace,  leaving  behind  acting  midshipman 
Benjamin  Oapp  and  five  men,  having  lost  one  soon  Lfter  my 
a^rivaI  at  that  niace,  with  the  small  pox.     No  opportunity  had 

Erevinusly  offered  by  which  1  could  possibly  leave  mat  place,  the 
'inglish  admiral  on  that  station,  being  determined  to  prevent,  by 
every  means  in  his  power,  American  prisoners  returning  to  their 
own  country. 

On  the  loth  instant,  in  latitude  47  north  and  longitude  18  west, 
I  took  passage  on  board  tlie  ship  Oliver  Elsworth,  captain  Roberts, 
15  days  from  Havre  de  Grace,  bound  to  New  York. 

I  arrived  here  last  evening,  and  have  the  honour  to  await,  c^ither 
tho  orders  of  the  Navy  Department  or  the  commandant  of  the 
n^arine  corps. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c.  ^ 

JOHN  M.  GAMBLE. 
The  Sscretaiy  of  the  'Sa.yy. 


UNITED  STAThS'  FUIGATE  ESSEX,  AT  SFA, 

July  14th,  1813. 
SIR, 

Allow  me  to  return  to  you  my  thanks  for  your  handsome 
conduct  in  bringing  the  Scringapatam  to  action,  which  greatly 


9«7 


facilitated  her  capture,  while  it  prevented  the  possibility  of  her^ 
escipf^. 

Be  assured,  sir,  I  shall  make  a  suitable  representation  of  the 
.affair  to  the  honourable  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

'  With  the  greatest  respect,  &c. 

D.  PORTER. 
Lieut.  John  M.  Gamble,  commanding 
the  prize  slup  Greenwich. 


SIR, 


NAVT  COMMISSIONERS'  OFFICE,  February  lOtli,  1816. 


Captain  John  M.  Gamble  of  the  marines  served  with  me  in 
the  Essex,  from  the  time  of  my  taking  command  of  that  vessel, 
until  my  departure  from  Madison's  Island ;  duriug  the  whole  of 
which  his  conduct  was  such  as  to  entitle  him  to  my  respect,  as  an 
officer  and  a  gentleman.  During  a  great  part  of  my  cruise  in  the 
3outh  Seas,  captain  (then  lieutenant)  Gamble,  continued  in  com- 
mand of  one  ot  my  most  valuable  prizes,  and  while  in  that  situa- 
tion brought  to  action  with  an  interior  force,  and  caused  to  sur- 
render, an  armed  vessel  of  the  enemy,  which  had  long  been  the 
terror  of  the  American  ships,  which  had  been  engaged  in  com- 
mercial and  other  pursuits  in  that  ocean. 

Honourable  mention  was  made  of  this  affair  to  the  Secretary  of 
the  Navy,  but  by  the  capti.re  of  the  vessel,  the  account  was  lost, 
and  of  course  never  reached  the  United  States. 

Captain  Gamble  &t  all  times  greatly  distinguished  himself  by 
his  activity  in  every  enterpri/.e  engaged  in  by  the  force  under  my 
command,  and  in  many  cntical  encounters  by  the  natives  of  Mad- 
ison's Island,  rendered  essential  services,  and  at  all  times  distiu' 
guished  himself  by  his  coolness  and  bravery.  I  therefore  do, 
with  pleaHure,  recommend  him  to  the  department  as  an  o'ficcr  dc* 
serving  of  its  patronage. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

DAVID  PORTER. 

Hon.  B.  W.  Crowninshield,  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


i'l' 


SIR. 


NAVY  COMMISSIONERS'  OFHCE,  February  28Ui,  1816. 


Captain  Gamble  of  the  marine  corps,  has  informed  me  thf.t 
he  had  understood  it  to  be  your  wish  that  I  should  state  my  opinio 
on  positively,  whether  I  think  him  entitled  to  a  brfivet  for  the  ser- 
vices rendered.  Making  part  of  the  diepartment,  motives  of  deli- 
cacy prevented  my  doing  so  before,  but  I  now  avail  myself  of  the 
opportunity  of  assuring  you,  that  no  marine  Qffii(i|f  in  the  service, 
ever  had  such  strong  claims  as  captain  Gamt^,  and  that  none 
have  been  placed  in  such  conspicuous  and  critical  situations,  and 


[i  4ff 


il 


that  none  could  have  extricated  themselven  from  ihei 
their  honour. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &cJ 

D.  PORTER. 
honourable  B.  W.  Crowninthield, 

Secretary  of  the  Navy* 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  CHIPPEWA  PLAINS,  July  7th,  1814. 

0£ar  sir, 

On  the  2d  instant  I  issued  my  order  for  crossing  the  Niagara 
river,  and  made  the  arrauKements  deemed  necessary  for  securing 
the  garrison  of  fort  Erie.  On  the  Sd  that  post  surrendered  at 
i  P.  M.  Our  loss  in  this  affair  was  four  of*  the  29th  regiment 
under  major  Jessup,  of  brigadier  general  dcott*s  brigade,  wounded. 
I  have  enclosed  a  return  of  the  prisoners,  of  the  ordnance,  and 
ordnance  stores  captured. 

To  secure  my  rear,  I  have  placed  a  garrison  in  this  fort,  and 
requested  captain  Kennedy  to  station  his  vessels  near  the  post. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th,  brigadier  general  Scott,  with  hit' 
bri^de  and  a  corps  of  artillerv,  was  ordered  to  advance  towards 
Chippewa,  and  be  governed  by  circumstances ;  taking  care  t» 
secure  a  ^lod  military  position  for  the  night.  After  some  skir- 
mishing with  the  enemy,  he  selected  this  plain  with  the  eye  of  a 
soldier,  his  right  nesting  on  the  river,  and  a  ravine  being  in  front. 
At  11  at  night,  I  joinea  him  with  the  reserve  under  ^neral  Rip- 
ley, our  field  and  battering  train,  and  corps  of  artiUerj  under 
major  Hiindman.  General  Porter  arrived  the  naxt  momine  with 
aj[>art  of  the  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  and  some 
ofdie  warriors  of  the  Six  Nations. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  5th,  the  enemy  commenced  a  petty 
war  upon  our  pickets,  and,  as  he  was  indulged,  his  presumption 
increased ;  by  noon  he  showed  himself  on  Ihe  left  of  our  extensive 
line,  and  attacked  one  of  our  pickets  as  it  was  returning  to  camp. 
Captain  Treat,  who  commanded  it,  retired  disgracefully,  leaving 
a  wounded  man  on  the  ground.  Captain  Biddfe,  of  the  artillerv, 
who  was  near  the  scene,  impelled  by  feelings  hidily  honourable 
to  him  as  a  soldier  and  officer,  promptly  assumed  tne  command 
of  this  picket,  led  it  back  to  the  wounded  man,  and  brought  him 
off  the  n  Id.  I  ordered  captain  Treat,  on  the  spot,  to  retire  from 
the  army,  and  as  I  am  an  luus  that  no  officers  shall  remain  under 
my  command  who  can  be  suspected  of  cowardice,  I  advise  that 
captain  Treat,*  and  lieutenant  ,  who  was  also  with  the 

picket,  be  struck  from  the  rolls  of  the  armv. 

At  4  o'clock  in  the  afternuoon,  agreeably  to  a  plan  I  had  given 
general  Porter, Jbe  advanced  from  the  rear  of  our  camp,  wiui  the 
volunteers  and^lldians  (taking  the  woods  in  order  to  keep  out  ot> 
view  of  the  enenky),  witli  the  hope  of  bringing  his  pickets  and 

*C«pt«n  Treat  was  titPil  liy  a  court  martial  and  honourably  acquitt^. 


sco«||||g  parties  between  hit  fPorter's]  line  of  march*  and  wub> 
camp*)  As  Porter  moved,  I  ordered  the  parties  advanced  in  front 
of  our  camp  to  fall  back  ffradually.  unaer  the  enemy's  fire,  iftr 
op*der  to  draw  him,  if  possible,  up  to  our  line.    About  half  past  4* 

.  the  advance  of  general  Porter's  command  met  the  light  parties  of 
the  enemy  in  the  woods,  upon  our  extreme  left.  The  enemy  were 
driven,  and  Porter  advancii^  near  to  Chippewa,  met  their  wholtt 
column  in  order  of  battle.  From  the  clnud  of  dust  rising,  and  the 
heavy  firing,  I  was  led  to  conclude  that  the  entire  force  of  the 
enemy  was  in  march,  and  prepared  for  action.  I  immediately 
ord  <;red  genv»ral  8cott  to  advance  with  his  brigade,  and  Towson^ 
ftrtil!ery,  and  meet  them  upon  the  plain  in  ifront  of  our  camp. 
The  general  did  nut  expect  to  be  gratified  with  a  field  engagement. 
He  advanced  in  the  most  prompt  and  ofiicer-like  style,  and  in  • 
few  minutes  was  in  close  action  upon  the  i)lain,  mm  a  superior 
force  of  British  regular  troops.  By  this  time  general  Porter'a 
command  had  given  way,  and  fled  in  every  direction,  notwitk> 
standi  ng  his  personal  eulantry,  and  great  exertions  to  stay  tl>eir 
flight.  The  retreat  of  the  volunteers  and  Indians  caused  uie  left 
flank  of  general  Scott's  brigade  to  be  8;reatly  exposed.  Captain 
Harris,  with  his  dragoons,  was  directed  to  stop  the  fugitives, 
behind  the  ravine  fronting  our  camp ;  and  I  sent  colonel  Gardner 
to  order  ^neral  Ripley  to  advance  with  the  21st  re^ment  whick 
formed  pari  of  tlie  reserve,  pass  to  the  left  ot  our  camp,  skirt  the 
woods  so  as  to  keep  out  ot  view,  and  fall  upon  the  rear  of  the 
enemy's  right  flank.  This  wder  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  the 
greatest  exertions  were  made  by  the  21st  re^ment  to  gain  their 
position,  and  close  with  the  enemy,  but  in  vain  ;  for  such  was  the 
zeal  and  gallantry  of  the  line  commanded  by  general  Scott,  that 
its  advance  upon  the  enemy  was  not  to  be  checked.  Major 
Jessup,  commanding;  the  left  nank  battalion,  finding  himself  press- 
ed in  front  and  in  flank,  and  his  men  falline  fast  arouna  him, 
entered  his  battalion  to  '*  support  arms  and  mvance,;^*  the  order 
was  promptly  obeyed,  amiast  the  most  deadly  and  destructive 
fire.  He  gained  a  more  secure  position,  and  returned  upon  the 
enemy  so  gHiling  a  discharge,  as  caused  them  to  retire.  By  this 
time,  tlieir  whole  line  was  falling  back,  and  our  gallant  soldiers 
pressing  upon  them  as  fast  as  possible.  As  soon  as  the  enemy 
had  fitted  the  sloping  ground  descending  towards  Chippewa, 
and  distant  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  he  broke  and  ran  to  gam  his 
works.  In  this  efsrt  he  was  too  successful,  and  the  guns  from 
his  batteries  opening  immediately  upon  our  line,  checked  in  some 
degree  the  pursuit.  At  this  moment  I  resolved  to  bring  up  all  mj 
erdnance,  and  force  the  place  by  a  direct  attack,  and  gave  the 
order  accordingly.    Mi^or  Wood,  of  the  corps  of  enginews,  and 

.  ^  ray  aid,  captain  Austin,  rode  to  the  bank  ot  the  creek  towards 

the  rujht  of  their  line  of  works,  and  examined  them.    I  was  in- 

ducea  by  their  report,  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  and  the  advice  of 

general  Scott  aad  major  WooU,  to  order  the  forces  to  retire  to  camp. 

47 


^  I 


^!i 


i 


i!  ji  I'l 


«W 


It 


f;;?i 


Ky  nMt  difficult  duty  rfmains  to  be  perfonned  f  t  am  fMBlpt* 
'M  with  the  fenr  of  not  Ming  able  to  do  justice  to  my  himimpSiija 
nions  in  arms,  and  apprehensive,  that  some  who  had  an  opportu- 
nity of  distinguivhing  themeelves,  and  promptly  embraced  it,  will 
«acape  my  notice. 

Srigadier  eeneral  Scott  is  entitled  to  the  highest  praise  our 
eountry  can  bestow :  to  him,  more  than  any  other  man,  I  am 
indebted  for  the  victory  of  the  5th  of  July.  His  brigade  haa 
covered  itself  with  glory.  Every  officer  and  every  man  of  the 
9th  and  22d,  llth  and  S5th  regiments,  did  his  duty,  with  a  zeal 
«nd  energy,  worthy  of  the  American  character.  "When  every 
officer  stands  so  pre-eminently  high  in  the  path  of  his  duty  and 
honour,  it  is  impossible  to  discriminate,  but  1  cannot  deprive  my- 
•elf  of  the  pleasure  of  saying,  that  major  Lavenworth  commanded 
the  9th  and  22d,  major  Jessup  the  25th,  and  major  M'Neil  the 
llth.  Colonel  Campbell  "was  wounded  early  in  the  action,  gal- 
lantly leading  on  his  regin  ent. 

The  family  of  general  Scott  jvere  conspicuous  in  the  field  y 
lieutenant  Smith  of  the  6th  infantry,  major  of  brigade,  and  lieu- 
tenants Worth  and  Watts,  his  aids. 

From  general  Ripley  and  his  brigade,  I  received  every  assist- 
ance that  I  gave  them  an  o|i'pdrtunity  of  rendering.  1  did  not 
order  any  part  of  the  reserve  into  action,  until  general  Porter's 
command  nad  given  way,  and  then  general  8cott's  movementa 
were  so  rapid  and  decisive,  that  general  Ripley  could  not  get  up 
in  timewitn  the  21st,  to  the  position  as  directed.  The  corps  of 
artillery  under  major  Hindman,  were  not  generally  in  action ; 
this  was  not  their  fault  Captain  Towson's  company  was  the 
only  6ne  that  had  a  full  opportunity  of  distinguishing  itself,  and 
it  is  believed,  that  no  comfMiny  ever  embraced  an  opportunity  with 
more  zeal  or  more  success. 

A  detachment  from  the  2d  brigade  under  the  command  of  lieute- 
aant  M'Donald,  penetrated  the  woods  with  the  Indians  and  volun- 
teers, and  for  their  support.  The  conduct  of  M'Donald  and  hie 
eowmand  reflects  high  honour  on  the  brigade  to  which  they  belong. 

The  conduct  of  j^neral  Porter  has  been  conspicuously  gallant 
Every  assistance  in  his  power  to  affi>rd,  widi  the  description  of 
force  under  his  command,  has  been  rendered.  We  could  not 
expect  him  to  contend  with  the  British  column  of  regulars  which 
appeared  upon  the  plains  of  Chippewa.  It  was  no  cause  of  sur- 
prise to  me,  to  see  nis  command  retire  before  this  column. 

Justice  forbids  that  I  should  omit  to  name  my  own  family 
They  yield  to  none  in  honourable  zeal,  intelligence,  and  atten-^ 
tion  to  duty.  Colonel  Gardner,  roigor  Jones,  and  my  aids,  cap- 
tains Austin  and  Spencer,  have  been  as  active  and  as  much  de- 
voted to  the  cause  as  any  officers  of  the  army.  Tlieir  conduct 
verits  my  warmest  acknowledgments ;  of  Qardaer  ai^  Jtoea  I 
*4mU1  have  occaaion  again  to  spMk  to  you. 


«i7l 


pa* 
>jpportu- 
Ht.wiU 

aiae  our 
D,  I  am 
;ade  hat 
II  of  the 
th  a  zeal 
n  every 
luty  and 
rive  my- 
nmanded 
'Neil  the 
tion,  gal- 
he  field ; 
and  liea- 

ry  asaiat- 
1  did  not 
I  Porter'a 
ovements 
kot  get  up 
e  corps  of 
action ; 
was  the 
If,  and 
nity  with 

loflieute- 
id  volun- 

and  hit 
hr  belong. 

gallant 
riptiion  of 
iould  not 
in  which 

of  8U1'- 

• 

family 
id  atten-k 
^a,  eap- 
iQch  de- 
conduct 
teMil 


iHVCamp,  deputy  quarter  master  |;enerat,  deserve!  my  pis^ 
ticulOT^Otice  and  approbation.  B^  his  great  exertions,  I  wat 
enabled  to  find  the  means  of  grossing.  Captain  Daliba^'^^of  th« 
ordnance  department,  has  rendered  every  service  in  his  power.' 

The  inclosed  return  will  show  jou  our  loss,  and  fumisn  you 
with  the  names  of  the  dead  and  wounded  officers.  These  gallant 
men  must  not  be  forgotten.  Our  country  will  remember  them, 
and  do  them  justice. 

With  great  respect,  &c. 

JACOB  BROWNv 

Hon.  John  Annttrongf,  Secretary  of  War 

INSPECTOR  GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  H.  Q.  LEFT  DIVISION, 

Chippewa,  July  9th,  1814k 

Eehim  of  the  kilUdt  woundedt  and  prigoners,  of  the  enemy,  in  <A» 
action  of  the  5th  ingtant,foiight  on  the  plaint  within  half  a  mife 
of  Chippewa,  between  the  lep  division  of  the  United  States'  ar> 
my,  commanded  by  major  general  Brown,  andthe  English  foree$, 
under  the  command  of  major  general  RialL 

Killed.-— Three  captains,  three  subalterns,  and  eighty-seven 
rank  and  file  of  the  r^lar  troops. 

WouNDED.f— Two  captuns  or  the  1st  Royal  Scots,  one  lieute- 
nant of  the  100th  renment,  and  seventy-two  rank  and  file  of  ^e 
Royal  Scots,  8th  and  100th  renments. 

Prisonees.— C  .  captain  of  tlie  Indians,  and  nine  rank  and 
file  of  the  r^^lars. 

Rilled  in  the  Woods.— Of  the  Indians  eighty^seven,  of  the 
Siilitia  and  regulars  eighteen. 

Indian  Pai80NEE8.--One  chief  and  four  privateSii 


Killed, 

Wounded  and  > 
Prisoners,    5 
Prisoners, 


XeeapUulatunu 

Captains.    Subalterns* 

Rank  and  FUe 

8                 $ 

IM 

d                 1 

M 

I                 9 

14 

4 


398 


Total  of  the  enemy  placed  hors  de  eombat,  that  we  haveascexi- 
tained  beyond  a  doubt,  6  captains,  4  subalterns,  and  298  rank  and 
file.  Those  reported  under  the  head  of  wounded  and  prisoners^ 
were  so  severely  injured,  that  it  would  have  been  impracticable 
for  them  to  have  escaped.  The  enemy  had  the  same  facilities  of 
carrying  their  wonn^d  from  the  field  at  the  commencement  of 
the  action  as  ourselves,  and  there  can  be  no  doubt,  from  the  infw- 
mation  that  I  have  received  Drom  wiqutetbnable  sources,  t|Mt 


't  fi 


>  ■  it 


,v 


[t     < 


;..  I. 


r 


J!' 


hi  \ 


'?  J 


'Alii 


971 


^. 


Am^  cftrried  from  the  field  m  maiijr  of  their  wounded  fl|^^W* 
ported  above  in  the  total.  ^^ 

A.  OUNE,  JiMt.  Ins.  &en, 
Major  g     ernl  Brown. 

Met/oTt  of  the  killed  and  wounded  of  the  l-J't  .livmont  commanded 
by  major  general  lirownt  in  the  uctimi,  uj  the  5th  July^  181'1» 
cin  theplatm  of  Chippewat  Upper  Cunaaa. 

11.  Q.  CAMP  CHIPPEWA,  July  7th,  1814. 

Aktillsky— Killed,  4  privates ;  wounded  seTerelj,  S  corpo- 
rals,  5  privates;  8  privates  slight) j. 

General  Scott's  Brigade,  9th  Inpantrt— Killed,  2  mutici^. 
ans,  1 1  privates ;  wounded  severely,  1  captain,  2  subalterns,  2 
corporals,  19  privates;  slii^htly,  2  sergeants,  18  privates. 

22n  Infantry  attaohbd— Killed,  '8  privates ;  wounded  Myttt- 
ky,  1  captain,  8  privates ;  slightly,  2  sergeants,  33  privates. 

11th  Infantry — Killed,  1  sergeant^  4  corporals,  10  privates; 
wounded  severely,  1  colonel,  1  subaltern,  3  sergeants,  5  corporals, 
28  privates ;  slightly,  3  sergeants,  19  privates. 

23d  Infantry— Killed,  1  sergeant,  4  privates ;  wounded  se- 
Terely,  1  captain,  2  subalterns,  5  sergeants,  2  corporals,  .17  pri- 
vates ;  slightly,  2  sergeants,  2  corporals,  1  musician,  19  privates. 

General  Ripley's  Brigade,  21st  Regiment,  none;  19th 
Infahtrt  attached— Killed,  3  privates ;  severely  wounded,  2 
privates ;  missifj,  2. 

jTio  Infantry— Severely  wounded,  1  private. 

Or  NERAL   r.   B.  PoRTER'a  CoMMAND,  FeNTOn's  ReGIMENT  Or 

I*KN^»YIVANIA Militia — Killed,  3  privates;  severely  wounded,  1 
|>rivute ;  slightly,  1  private ;  missing,  3  officers,  4  non-commission- 
td  'ifficers  and  privates. 

Corps  of  Indians— Killed,  9  privates;  severely  wounded,  4; 
•lightly,  4 ;  missing,  10. 

Grand  total— 2  seraeants,  4  corporals,  2  musicians,  52  pri- 
▼ates,  killed.  1  colonel,  3  captains,  5  subalterns,  8sei^ants,  12 
corporals,  ]>  05  privates,  severely  wounded.  9  sergeants,  2  cor- 
porals, 1  musician,  103  privates,  slightly  wounded.  3  officers, 
16  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  missing. 

Total,  non-cur,>  .aissioned  officers,  musicians,  and  privates, 
S16. 

Aggregate',  328. 

M\ime8  ar^  rank  of  OJficen  wounded*.  ^ 

ColoBel  Campbell,  1  Uh  infantry,  severely ;  knee-pui  fractured. 
Captain  King,  22d  ii^iantry,  dangerously ;  shot  \'Ound  in  the  ab- 
domen. Captain  Read,  25th  infantry,  badl^  ;  fletih  wound  in  the 
Ikigh.  Captain  Harrison,  42d,  doing  duty  m  the  9th  infantry,  se- 
ttrely;  shot  wound  in  the  shoulder.  Lieutenant  Barron,  11th 
iaMnAiry,  aevorely.    Lieutenant  De  Wittt  25th  infuitry,  saTerely. 


■:4  A: 


'»k- 


Ftu.  Cren. 

cwnmandtd 
Jttiy.  1814, 

y  7th,  1814. 
y,   3  coqpo- 

Bd,  2  muiici-. 
abalterns,  2 

iDded  wvert - 
vatei. 

10  privates; 
\,  5  i  orporaU. 

wouiided  «e- 
►oraU,  ^7  pn- 
i,  19  privates. 
nonk;  19tu 
r  wouaUed»  2 


Regiment  or 

J  wounded,  1 
commission - 

wounded,  4 ; 

cians,  52pri- 

gergeants,  12 

eeants,  2  cor- 

id.    3  officers* 

and  privates, 


-pan  fractured, 
lund  in  the  ab- 
j  wtfund  in  the 
th  infantry,  se- 
t  Barron,  Uth 
mtry,  severely. 


LiewlMtntPatchini,  S5th  infantry,  badly ;  flesh  wound  in  the  thigli. 
liieutenant  Brinihall,  9th  infantry,  slightly. 
l^OTEv— The  slightly  wounded  are  fast  recovering. 

C.K.GARDNEll,  Ji;^  GcM. 

INSPECTOR  GENERAL'S  OFnCF,   H.  Q.  LKFT  DIVISION, 

Camp  near  Fort  Eric,  July  Sd,  1814.    • 

Metum  of  the  British  pri»onen  of  War,  who  surretidered  by  capi- 
tulation with  ¥wt  Erie,  on  the  afternoon  if  the  Srf  July,  1814, 
to  the  left  division  of  the  United  8tate»^  army,  under  the  com , 
mand  of  major  general  Brown, 


major. 

1  corporal,  1  bombardier,  and 


8th  or  King's  Regiment- 
Royal  Artillery — 1 

19  gunners. 

100th  Regiment — 1  ca,  j  tenants,  1  ensign,  4  sergeants, 

5  corporals,  3  musicians,       |>iivat6a« 

Becapitulation, 

8th  Regiment — t  major. 

Royal  Artillery—- 1  subaltern,  4  sergeants,  5  corporals,  3  n)usi< 
oians,  98  privates. 

Aggregate,  137. 

A.  ORNE,  Jlsst,  Ins.  Oen* 
Mi^or  gen  »al  brown. 


LOSS  OF  THE  ALLIGATOR. 


SIR, 


8T.  HELBNA  ISLAND»  July  2d,  1814. 


The  painful  task  of  informing  you  of  the  particulars  of  the 
loss  of  the  United  States'  schuoner  Alligator,  I  am  now  able  to 
undertake.    On  the  1st  July,  at  3  P.  M.  while  at  anchor  in  the 
Port  Royal  Sound,  with  lower  yards  down,  and  top-gallant-masts 
housed,  a  heavy  dark  cloud  rose  in  the  west,  and  coming  rapidly 
by  us,  the  squall,  when   Aithin  about  half  a  mile,  had  the  ap- 
pearance 01  a  water  spout  or  whirlwind ;  supposing  from  its  ap- 
pearance it  would  upset  or  destroy  us.  I  thought  the  only  way  tu 
save  the  vessel  would  be  to  ruii  her  on  shore,  as  it  was  first  quar- 
ter flood ;  the  cable  wait  cut  and  the  head  of  the  jib  hoisted  ;  when 
before  the  wind,  she  was  struck  by  a  most  tremendous  blast,  but 
no  injury  was  done ;  it  then  cleared  up.    The  small  bower  anchor 
was  then  let  go,  and  the  vessel  brought  up.  In  ten  mfnutes  she  waa 
itruckby  another  still  more  violent  eust,  and  instantly  upset;  the 
cable  was  again  cut,  in  hopes  that  she  would  drive  on  shore,  but 
^1  to  no  purpose ;  she  sunk  in  four  fathoms  water,  some  of  the 
'men  attempted  to  gain  the  shore  by  swimming,  but  dreadful  to 
ivlate  only  foar  succeeded  i  twenty-three  were  drowned.    Among 


« 


y 


■ii/''?^  ' 


.4 


s»>. 


o  <fZ^. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


mm 

Sf  fig 


25 
2.2 

2.0 


11.25  1 1.4 


U4 


6" 


>' 


FhotogFaphic 

^Sdfflices 

CorptBBtion 


4^^ 


^^^ 


as  WHT  IMAM  STRHT 
Wltl7M,N.Y.  USM 

(7U)t71-4S03 


'^ 


3#^.S!* 


m 


ihe  number  I  have  to  lament  the  loss  of  two  promining^ 
een,  midshipmen  BraiUford  and  Rosenon.    I^neteen  hm^^ea 
found  and  interred  in  this  island.    Messrs.  Brailsford  and  H^r- 
]Bon  were  interred  in  the  church-yard  by  the  gentlemen  oi  St^ 
Helena.    Annexed  is  a  list  of  the  names  of  those  who  have  bcea 
found,  and  those  who  arc  still  missing. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

R.  BASSET. 
Csptun  J.  S.  Dent 

Twelve  including  mjself  were  saved  on  the  head  of  the  top- 
mast. 

R.  B» 

DnowNKD— Joseph  Brailsford/ midshipman ;  Robert  Rogerson, 


Steel,  do. ;  Joseph  Crosby,  do.  $  Jose^  Moulder,  do. ;  Thomaa 
Harvey,  do.;  John  Nelson,  do. ;  J<rfin P.  Rea,  ordinarv  seaman; 
Philip  Fraser,  cook;  John  Mirtinbur^,  boy ;  JefTery  Uraves,  or- 
dinary seaman ;  Jerry  Stout,  do. ;  Samuel  Johnston,  do. ;  William 
Scarlet,  do. 

Not  Fovni>— Michael  Rush,  ordinary  seaman ;  Polydor  Thomp- 
son, boy ;  C«sar  Howard,  seaman ;  Daniel  Thompeon,  do. 

Saved— Rnssel  Basset,  lieutenant  commandant;  John  M.  Bald, 
master's  mate;  Elias  J.  Sidters,  volunteer;  James  Gelespie, boat- 
swain's mate ;  John  White,  seaman ;  Joseph  Lewis,  do. ;  Henry 
M*Oruder,  boatswain;  John  Roberts,  seaman;  Samuel  Outtry, 
do. ;  J<^n  Davis,  do. ;  Hyman  Perry,  quarter  s^nner ;  William 
Ray,  master  at  arms ;  lohn  Rodden,  boy ;  John  Cook,  ordinary 
seaman;  Charles  Mercer,  seaman;  Gciorge  Selby,  ordinary sea^ 
man* 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 

ADJUTANT  GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  LEFT  DIVISION, 

.  Chippewa  Pbuna^  Jidjr  6th,  1814. 

Major  Koneral  Brown  has  ^{S  j;ratification  to  say,  that  the  sol- 
diers of  me  2d  division,  west  m  the  Nianra,  merit  greater  ap- 
plause than  he  is  able  to  bestow  in  generaT orders ;  they  merit  uw 
highest  iu»probation  of  their  countiy.  The  tiondvct  of  brigadier 
general  Scott's  briigade,  which  had  the  oppoirtnnitv  to  engage  the 
whole  force  of  die  enemy,  the  greater  part,  it  u  believcJ,  ^  all 
in  the  peninsula,  removes  en  the  day  or  this  battle  the  reflection 
on  our  country,  thit  its  reputatipn  in  arms  is  yet  to  be  esta^ish- 
ed.  His  brisade  consists  of  battalions  of  tbe  9th,  the  11th,  tha 
iiSth,  and  a  «Mtachm«At  of  the  anA.   Taws«a*s  company  of  ariS- 


n  ofSt, 
ave  bceB 


SSET. 


r  the  top- 

R>  B» 

RovenoB, 
B.Hath»» 
[icholasT. 
I  WUliam 
•  Thoijniil 
r  seaman; 
Int^ea,  or- 
;  Willitm 

lorThomp- 
,  do. 

in  M.  Bald, 
espie.  boat- 
o,;  Henry 
iiel  Outtry* 

;  WUllAU 

.  ordinarir 
sea-^ 


r  6th,  1814. 

atthe8ol^ 
ater  ap- 
ff  merit  UM 
Lf  lurigadier 
lenpiethe 
kvrl,  of  all 
[e  reflefitum 
eata^luh- 
lltii.thtt 
•f  vrtB- 


♦Ty 


ich  was  attached  to  it,  gallantly  commenced,  and  with  l| 
*  the  action. 


The 
the  enemy' 
army:  they  meet  the  seneral's  approbatioi 

Of  the  reports  of  killed  and  wounded,  the  names  of  the  wound- 
ed officers  vrill  be  mentioned,  in  order  that  they  may  be  rewarded 
with  that  honourable  mention  which  is  due. 


le  volunteers  and  Indians  performed  their  part;  they  drove; 
nemy's  Indians  and  lieht  troops  until  they  met  the  British 
':  they  meet  the  seneral's  approbation. 


By  order  of  majorseneral  Brown. 

C.t,  GARDNER,  Mjt,  Gefi, 


VNTTED  STATES'  SHIP  SUPERIOR,  SACKETTS  HARBOR, 

July  7th,  1814» 
SIR, 

I  am  happy  that  I  have  it  in  my  power  to  detail  to  yon 
another  briHiaiit  achievement  of  lieutenant  Gregory  with  his  brave 
eompaniims.' . 

I  received  Information  some  time  since  that  the  enemy  was 
buitffing  a  large  schooner  at "  Presque  Isle.*'  I  determined  upon 
her  destruction,  but  deferred  the  execution  until  she  should  be 
nearly  ready  for  launching.  Finding  the  alarm  extensive  down 
the  St.  Lawrence  in  consequencfe  of  taking  the  gun-^boat  Black 
Snake,  I  thousht  it  a  favourable  opportunity  to  attempt  something, 
at  ^Presque  isle."  On  the  S6tn  ultimo,  I  directea  lieutenant 
Gregory  totaki  with  him  Messrs.  Vaughan  and  Dixon,  proceed 
with  the  two  largest  gigs  to  Nicholas  Island,  (within  about  seven 
miles  of  "Presque  Isle"'  harbor)  and  there  conceal  his  boats  and 
wait  for  some  transports  which  I  had  information  were  expected 
thcte  to  take  up  provision  and  munitions  of  war,  which  had  beea 
sent  up  the  Bay  of  Quinta  for  the  troops  at  York  and  Fort  (George, 
but  if  these  transports  did  not  make  their  appearance  in  three  or 
four  days,  then  to  proceed  to  *' Presque  Isle,^^  and  bum  the  vessel 
on  the  stocks ;  but  with  positive  orders  not  to  intjure  any  private 
property.  The  day  after  lieutenant  Gregory  arrived  on  the  coas^ 
ne  discovered  a  vessel  beating  up,  but  just  as  he  shored  off  to 
board  her,  a  large  gun-boat  hove  in  sight  a  little  below  him.  This 
boat  made  a  signal  to  tiie  vessel  in  the  offing,  upon  which  she  tack- 
ed and  stood  ror  tiie  gun-boat.  Lieutenant  Gr^ry  secreted  hie 
boats  as  well  as  he  conld^  but  was  apjirehensive  that  he  had  been 
discovered.  The  gun-boat  and  her  convoy  (which  was  full  of 
troops)  stood  into  **  Presque  Isle."  Lieutenant  Ofegory  W|ts  de- 
temuned  to  asctatiun  whe€h«r  he  had  been  discovered ;  acoordii^ 
It  he  sent  one  «f  iw  boats  in  tiie  next  ni^^t  and  took  off  one  of 
me  inhabitants,  who  informed  him  that  it  was  known  he  was  oft 
the  CMUM;,  and  tiutt  two  expresses  had  been  sent  to  Kincstini  in 
consequence.  He  therefore  determined  upon  executing  the  latter  j 
jjMrt  tf  hit  imtmstiens  and  made  his  arrangements  accordingly. 


nm 


■:■  K 


'     I 


.,.^S^*?.! 


%■ 


:?f. 


fl 


liO^,  pUced  sentinels  at  Hit  housti  to  finiftmi  th^mi^titl^mi^ 
fire  to  the  vessel,  which  was  nearly  ready  to.lannc-h;  ihil^imM  # 
ftmifweU  bnilt  vessel  to  mount  14  guns,  and  wmildarobaUy  hrva 
Qeea  launched  in  about  ten  days.  A  small  ttoraHkonsa,  whicl^ 
contained  stores  for  the  vessel,  was  unavoidably  barat,  aa  it  wai^' 
a*^  near  the  vessel  that  it  took  fire  from  her. 

Lieutenant  Gre^y  learned  from  the  inhabitants  that  asucls 
|iroperty  had  been  sent  up  a  few  days  pevioos,  that  a  con^any  of 
the  Olengary  regiment  had  been  statiwied  there,  but  had  Men 
ae|it  to  York  a  few  days  before;  another  comnsny  was  on  its  way^ 
^m  Kingston  to  replace  them.  The  few  militia  which  had  been 
left  to  euard  the  vessel  and  propertTt  retreated  upon  theapproarh 
of  our  boats*  As  soon  as  the  vessel  was  entirely  consumM,  lieu- 
tenant Gregory  re-embarked  his  men  without  having  perndtled^ 
•ne  of  them  to  enter  a  house ;  finding  the  ilarm  so  general,  ha- 
thought  prudent  to  cross  the  laker  immediately ;  he  stopped  on« 
di^  at  Oswego  for  refreshment,  and  arrived  hiere  last  eveung^ 
having  performed  a  most  difficult  service  with  hit  usual  gallaatrj! 
and  go^conduct.  '    '        ; 

Lieutenant  Greaory  v^ks  in  the  highest  fettos  of  iailiiig-iba-, 
ier  Vaugluin,  and  Mr,  Inxon,  as'well  as  the  men  nnder  his  com*! 
nand,  tor  their  patutwt  endurance  of  hunger  and  fatiguie,  and  ^ 
%t9l  with  which  they  performed  every  |>art  of  their  duty.  4 

t  think,  in  justice  to  these  brave  men,  that  they  ought  to  be  al-^ 
tpwed  something  for  the  destmctiQn  of  this  vessel  r  thjey;  hav^. 
%iwever,  eveiy  confidence  in  the  justice  and  liberaUty  «f  the 
gaveri^mentf  and  si^mlt  their  case  most  cheerfully  to  its  deoision., 

I  have  the  honour  te  be;  &c. 

ISAAC  CAAUNGST. 

lloiMNMUe  William  JoBeih  Secretwy  of  <he  Mavjr. 


REINDiaiR  CAFTURED  BY  THE  WASP. 
UNITED  STATES'  SHIP  WA^P,  L*OBII^,  July  8tb.  Iftlf 

north, 

after  an  action  irf"  nineteen  miputc  ,        

jesty*»  sloop  of  war  the  Reindeer/  WiTliam  Manners,  esquire^ 
commandef.  \ 

Where  all  did  their  duty  and  each  appeared  anxious  to  excef, 
iliive^y  diffieuU toiatscrithiflate.  It  is,  howeter,  only  render- 
>  ib||  thetn  theirnierited due,  #hen it  is  declined  (tf  tkiiiti^iaiita 
Hetly  ai|d  Bn^j  Ist  and  dd  of  thiavesael,  and  whose  Ii4|iiel  will 
be  found  aMoM  those  of  the  conqu^rom  1^  the  Oaaftielv  inid  Java ; 
and  of  ^r.Tfiringhas^  Sd  neute^ant  who  waa  n^y  ifistru- 
mental  In  the  capture  of  the  Thitif ;  th&t  their  cOMKiei  tad  cqla^ 


'W^. 


,  «•  it  wait 

thad  been 
onitawaf 
th  had  been 
it  appf«af « 
iim«d»  Ij^ 

general*  ■» 
(topped  «n» 
At  eveiong* 
iiVj^aatey 

f«mns-«M- 
der  bia  com- 
ig«e,andth« 

idit  to  be  al- 

«UtT«f.t|ie 
titadaoiBiMi. 


ASP. 

1;  atb,  iftif 

iitiMto  49,  36, 

rginnic  ma- 
iftersi  eaqnire, 

tioua  to  etcelj 
,  enly  rcnd^r- 
0f  ii««teiimj^ 


n*f 
^et^iOdHTa; 

tY  kMtra- 


i|e  illfaia  aeeaaiMi  fiilfilled  %:^j  hi|^eat«xpectfttioiiaalid  gfatilMI 
^trr  niah.  SaiUn|;tmaater  Carr  la  alao  entitled  to  gjreat  Credit' 
for  the  zeal  andaUlity  with  which  he  diachannd  hia  Tanoua  dttliea« 
/>The  cool  and  pntient  conduct  of  tvtrj  officer  and  man,  whScit 
•xpoaed  to  the  fire  of  the  ahifting  son  ofthe  enemy,  and  withonii 
an  opportunity  of  returning  it,  could  only  be  equalled  by  the  aiiii 
mation  and  ardor  exhibitM  when  actually  engaged,  or  by  tht^' 
promptitnde  and  firmneaa  with  which  every  attempt  of  the  enemy 
10  board  waa  met  and  auccesafiilly  repelled.  Suoi  conduct  may 
be  aeen,  but  cannot  well  be  deacnbed. 

The  Reindeer  mounted  aiiteen  84  pound  carronadea,  two  long 
6  or  9  poundera,  and  a  ahifting  18  pound  carronade,  with  a  comple- 
ment (on  board)  of  1 1 8  men.  Her  crew  were  said  to  be  the  pride 
ofPlymottth. 

Our  loaa  in  men  haa  been  aevere,  owing  in  part  to  the  p:x»zimi^ 
of  tiie  two  veaada  and  the  extreme  amoothneaa  <^  the  aea*  but 
chiefly  in  cupelling  boardera.  That  of  the  enemy,  howoTer,  waa 
in&utely  more  ao,  aa  will  be  seen  by  the  liat  of  killed  and  wound- 
•d  on  both  aidea. 

Six  round  rimt  atruck  our  hull^  and  many  grape  which  did  not 
penetrate  fiur.  Hie  fore-mMt  received  a  84  pound  shot,  whidi 
paaaed  through  its  centre*  and  our  rigpng  and  aaila  were  a  good 
dealimured. 

The  Heindeer  was  literally  cut  to  piecea  in  a  line  wilih  her  port8>^ 
her  upper  worka,  boats  and  spare  apara,  were  one  complete  wreck. 
A  breeze  afsrii^iiing  up  next  afiemomi«  her  forermast  went  by  1h« 
board. 

Having  received  all  the  priaonera  on  board,  which  from  the^ 
number  of  wounded  occuiued  much  time,  together  with  tiieir  bag- 
gage, the  Reindeer  was  tm  th^  evening  of  the  89th  set  on  fire,  and 
in  afew  hqnra  blew  up. 

I  have  tiie  honour  to  be,  &c. 

J.  BLAKELB7* 
Ronoumble  W9IiMn  Spam,  Sccretuy  of  the  Naipy. 

KiLLBo  AND  WouNDEDd— The  loss  on  board  the  Iteindeer,  wm 
85  killed  and  48  wounded,  total  67.  On  board  tiie  Waap,  5  kUled 
and  81  woundCtdt  principally  in  boarding;  among  the  latter,  mid- 
tridpmen  tiangdon  andTwcan,  botii  ni  whom  expired  soma  diaya 
after  the  action. 


SIR, 


8U1MBT,  PHILADEU'ttIA,  Jul^f  l¥!b,  181.4 


In  eoBSMHienea  of  mformatiMi  received  from  general  For«* 
man,  al  a  late  nour  on  the  1 1th  instant,  that  four  of  the  enemy'g 
baigea  had  been  rn^aad  I17  a  party  Of  militia  at  Blkton,  biit  tSat 
tiiey  wore  expectea  to  return  tiw  auocee^ng  night  in  greater  force, 
I  was  indacM  to  order  lleut^iaiit  Moigan  of  the  navy,  to  marehi 
i^  of  thaoficarsand  seamen  a^laahedl  to  thaflotilla,to  his  assist* 
"  ■        48        • 


'•■  ft 


H\  I 


■1: 


t-r- 


.  4 


mm. 


,    i 


\  \ 


pBMi»  i^  tfw  ddMM  «f  Hkki  place  and  Hie  adjaemt  ctilitrf. 
THe  nbovc  offioera  knd  tailore  were  embarked  in  a  few  nilnut«i» 
awl  yen  will  «ot  think  them  inactiTe.  when  I  inferm  you  that  in  S 
felMira  aad  47  mimitet,  the  whole  detachment,  completely  armed* 
Iteohed  die  coeit«lioute  »i  Elkton,  carryinjK  with  them  two  !  eavy 
pieMiol'tnMrelUiM;  artillery,  notwithstanding  the  roads  were  ex* 
eiaaH*elT  bad,  ^BfT^e  night  very  dark  and  rai^y*  Disappointed 
)(  meeting  the  enemy>  aira  his  not  evincing  any  disposition  to  re- 
tfrti,  licMMiant  Morgan,  with  the  detachment  of  sauors  (masterfs 
mate  Stockton,  and  12  seamen  left  with  afield  piece  to  co-operate 
ipMi  oaptaitt  0^,  excepted,)  returned  yesterday  to  the  flotilla,  by 
aiy  evdwra,  tiieir  place  being  tapi^ied  by  captain  Gale,  and  iiemte^ 
tim  HalU  ^eritii  some  maruies  Irom  the  navy  yard,  added  to  lieu- 
tenant Ki^n  and  the  detachment  of  marinea  of  the  Gnenricre,  ail 
•f  #hem  readied  Blkton  early  ^terda-  afternoon. 

dn  lientenant  Morjjan's  leavn^  the  dotilla  with  the  detachment 
i#  tnilart;  i  ordarad  lieutenant  Gamble, ,  attending  the  equipment 
^the  Querriere,  to  proceed  Uf  New  Castle  with  me  seamen  and 
marines  to  supply  their  place.  On  lieutenant  Morgan's  return  t» 
Ike  MStiit  lieutenant  Gamble  with  the  seamen  ke  breuriit  with 
hsm  returned  to  Philadelnhiat  and  it  is  with  much  satiMtction  I 
itfytm  yon,  that  the  ai(|cni(y  and  zeal  with  which  all  these  change* 
were  made,  does  infinite  credit  td  the  ofilcers,  seamen  and  ma* 
tinet  concerned  in  the  same. 

Captain  Gele»  with  the  detadiment  of  marines,  after  prooeed- 
a$  fill-  aa  Cecil  Fumaee,  will  return  again  to  Philadelphia  (by 
way  of  New  Caatle,)  should  there  be  no  immediate  neoeentj 
hib  hiding  lemgemteent.  ^^ 

I  am  now  afbout  to  erganite  a  eoifis,  con^ti^  of  100  eeanen, 
«k»  can  ke  traniparted  acioes  in  four  hour*  at  any  time,  with  the 
■Bfistance  that  is  promised  me  by  the  proprietors  of  the  New  Cat- 
tle lianefftage^ 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Itc. 

JOHN  ROGEi». 
^  SwBstsqr  «r  the  llaffy. 


Bni. 


roSTSHOVni,  Ml)r  laib,  18U. 


I  have  the  honour  to  inform  ^ou,  that  yesterday  moraiing 

£m«boat  No.  88,  commanded 4lgr  ending-master  Georse  Clement, 
II  ii^with  «Bd  c«ptnred|eirthi8  harbor,  a  Chebacco  poat,  tender 
tothe  Tenedoe,  commanded  by  her  2d  lieutenant,  having  ale^  Q* 

$ke  km  take%  nie  moiinii^Areyieuf  to  her  bei|||K,  ceptnred.  a 
paaUi^pailli^  #oii^,  wM*  we8«l90i  rp -taken  Inr  McTCt^oenl. 
l%eprii^«iFftwpebe«n»veiiin^<^^  of  themarw»  wad 

Iliiy!|B  the  ,hol^wr  to  liev  we. 

Henoumbto  W^hm-JeBes*  Sccrrtaiy  «f  the  Navy. 


DEAHSIR,  1 

Oh  the  SOtH  the  arm  j  moved  and  encamped  in  the  rear  «f 
Fort  George.  Gt^neral  Scott,  with  the  ran,  had  tome  skirmiaMn|| 
liefore  the  main  body  came  tip ;  bat  at  the  enemj  kept  close  to 
fheir  worke,  nothing  important  occurred.  No  (eree  was  left  Itt 
Irar  rear ;  the  Heights  were  abandoned  to  the  enem/,  and  we  dU( 
hope  that  thd  movement  #oaId  have  indnced  Mm  to  re-oc6up^ 
them,  or  close  in  nearerto  tis,  so  as  to  bring  on  an  engagenuMit 
out  of  his  works.  In  this  we  were  disappointed.  The  army  ref* 
turned  to-day,  and  found  a  body  of  militia  and  a  few  regular!  in 
and  about  the  Heights.  General  Porter  pursued  with  his  commaM 
«nd  a  few  regulars,  and  was  so  fortunate  as  to  eonae  up  wit^  «tta 
capttire  seven  officers  and  ten  privates.  They  wtti  be  hM,  4ii 
Oreenbush* 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JACOB  BROWN. 

HoiUMirable  John  Anutron^^,  Seeretuy  of  War. 


^       HEAD  QilABTEBS,  CHIPPEIVA.  JWfy  35th,  1814^ 

PEARdtR. 

Ou  the  3dd  ipstant,  I  rciceived  a  letter  by  express  nrom  gor 
Mval  QuQes,  advising  me,  tliat  on  the  ^0^  the  heavy  guns  that  I 
hiid  ordered  from  the  harbor,  to  enable  me  to  operate  against  fiMrta 
Qeoive  and  Niagara,  were  blockaded  in  that  iNNrt,  toother  ii^tb 
the  nfle  redmentthat  I  had  ordered  u|^  with  them. 
,1  had  ordered  these  guns  and  troops  m  boats,  i^vided  the  qom^ 
ilodore  should  not  deem  it  prudent  or  proper  to  oonvey  then  in 
bis  flaet,  not  doubting  but  that  he  would  have  been  upop  tite  laka 
for  their  protection,  and  that  the  enemy  would  ha(ve  been.diiv^n 
ioliotpqrtor  captured.  As  general  Games  informed  me,  tmrt  the 
commodore,  was  confined  to  his  bed  with  a  fever,  ftnd  at  ha  did 
B^t  know  when  the  fleet  would  sail,  or  w^n  the  gnna  and  fercoi 
that  I  had  been  expecting  would  even  leave  Sacke^'a  ttarbor,  I 
have  tiMiudht  it  proper  to  chanm  my  position,  with  V  view  to  oth^r 
otgecta.  You  know  how  greaUv  [  am  disappointed,  and  therefore 
I  will  not  dwell  ippon  that  painful  tu^iect.  And  you  can  best 
.perceive  how  much  nas  been  lost  by  theoelay ;  and  theconmyid  ^^ 
•f  lake  Ontario  being  with  th^  enemy-HPtliaDce  being  p^aieed  vaj^ 
iltierent  state  of  thin«:  ^m 

The  Ind^  aU  len  me  some  time  since.    It  is  said  tM  pPPp 
triii  retarn,:  but  this  you  will  perceive  depends  on  eurQumatanotp. 
The  reUfonemeat  oraered  on  fnmi  the  west  liai^  not  arriy«dr» 

I  haTo  the  honour  to  be 

^mmtlih  SecKtaiy  of  Walk  WaiUagtaiif 


■i'  ) 


in 


.,l!^4i'M 


■'t  ■'    'r 


■Jss  i 


iH/: :.:.;! 


JIATTLE  OF  NIAOARA. 


BUFFALO  Augiul,  1814 

Confined  u  I  wu»  and  hvn  been,  <nnGe  the  Itut  engagenMut 
«it)k  the  enemy,  I  fear  that  the  account  I  am  about  to  give  majr  be 
1«M  lull  and  satitfactery,  than  under  other  circumatanc^^  it  roia^t 
have  been  madOi  I  particularly  fear,  that  the  con'iUct  of  we 
fillant  men  it  was  mj  good  fortune  to  lead,  will  not  oe  noticed  m 
n  Wfj  due  to  ^eir  fame,  and  the  honour  of  our  country. 

You  are  already  apprized  that  the  army  had,  on  the  SSDi  ultimb, 
tdken  a  porition  at  Chippewa.  About  noon  of  that  day,  coloUM 
8vri^  wnowaa  potted  at  Lewiatown,  advised  me  by  eipress,  that 
the  enemy  aimeared  in  consideraUe  force  in  Queenelown,  and  on 
its  heif|^ts;  uat  four  of  the  enemy's  fleet  had  arrived  during  the 
precemng  nidbt,  and  were  then  lying  near  fort  Nia^ra,  and  thai 
a  number  oiboats  were  in  view  moving  up  the  streight.  Within* 
a  few  minutes  titer  this  intelligence  had  been  received,  'I  was  fur- 
rier informed  by  c^itain  Denmons  of  the  quarter  mastn's  depart^ 
men^  that  the  enemy  was  landincat  Lewistown,  and  that  our 
baggage  and  stores  at  Schlosser,  and  <m  their  way  tliithcr,  were  'in 
dai^;er  of  immediate  capture.  It  is  primer  here  te  mention,  that« 
havug  received  advices  as  late  as  the  flOth  from  gectwa^  Qaines* 
tluit  our  fleet  was  then  in  port,  and  die  commodore  sick,  we  ceas- 
ed to  look  for  co-operatkm  firom  that  quarter,  and  determined  to 
diiencondier  onrsoives  of  bagnge,  aiui  march  directlr  for  Bir- 
liiurton  Heights.  To  mask  this  intention,  and  to  draw  from 
SoSWor  a  small  supply  of  provisionti  I  fell  back  upon  Chippe* 
wa.  3 

:!As  this  arrangnnent,  und«r  the  increased  force  of  the  enemy, 
ilsR  much  athaaurd  on  our  ode  ni  tiie  Niagara,  and  as  it  appeared 
by  thebefoK  stated  information,  that  the  enemy  was  aboutto  avail 
himself  of  it,  I  concmved  that  the  most  efihctual  me^oiof  recall- 
ing him  from  this  (^ect,  waste  put  myself  in  motiflbitMrafAi 
QuMns^wn.  General  Scott,  with  the  flrst  brigade*  Tbw8on*a 
artluj^ry,  and  all  the  dragoons  and  mounted  men  were  aceetdni^t 
put  in  marqyp  the  road  leadii^  thither,  wi%  iNrdera  to  rqpwt,  u 
the  eneiny  ^nittured,  and  to  catt  for  asMstancoi.  if  tiiat  was  neoM- 
•ai^*  On  the  {Reneral's  arrival  at  the  foils,  he  learned  that  th» 
enemy  was  in  force  directly  in  hh  frwnt ;  a  nurow  piece  of  woods 
alone,  iiitercepting  his  view  of  ^em*  Waiting  only  to  give  this  in- 
clination, ,be  advanced  rpon  them.  <  By  this  time  asmtant  adjil- 
ift  genew  Jones  had  dflivered  his  message^  the  action  becBBt 
4  before  the  remainiitt  nart  of  the  divisionliad  oroaae|S  ^ofJnip*^ 
pewa,  it  had  become  efoie  and  Mineral  between  the  ad^raneed 
eocps.  llioiiglh  general  Ripl^^  vmh  the  second  brigade,  nudor 
Ifindnmn  with  the  corps  of  artillery,  and  general  lorter  at  ue 
bead  of  hiac^inand,liad  lespecthrelir  pnised  forwai^  with  afv^ 
iw,  it  wia  net  low  thn  aolov  before  they  wfir»  teoi|M  t» 


vuvn 

^^alon 


ii  i 


im 


■    •  '    •♦ 

114 

^emajrbe 
tct  of  we 

DOtiMdUl 

lijiiiiltiiiAii 
ijt  coload 
preM,  that 
m,  andw 
during  the 
I,  md  thai 
u    Within- 
, 'I  was  fur- 
»r>a  departs 
^iihatoiir« 
er,  were'iff^ 
mtioB,  thail^ 
ra^  Qainevi^ 
k,  waeeaa*« 
lenniMdto 
Ir  for  Bw- 
dimw  frma 
onChippe* 

the  eneonTV' 
itappeafed 
MHitteaTail 
tdefiecaH- 


,  Towaon's 

Kceordiiigl^ 
toTapoftfU 
wasMoea^ 
ed  that  the 
ice  of  woods 
thwin- 
adji^- 
itieii  tieoMi* 
theunip* 
ad^raneed 

_  with  ar- 


•attain  nneral  Scott,  during  whiCih  time  hit  e^mand  mott  tkU- 
fnlly  and  gallantly  maintained  the  conflict.  Upon  my  arrivil,  I 
iTound  that  the  general  had  patted  the  wood,  ana  engaged  the  enei. 
my  on  the  Queenttown  road,  and  on  the  ground  to  the  l^ft  of  iC 
with  the  9th,  11th,  and  SSd,  resimentt,  and  Towton*t  artillery. 
The  si5th  had  been  thrown  to  £e  rif^t,  to  be  governed  by  cir- 
cnmttancet. 

•^  Apprehending  that  thete  cerpt  were  much  exhauated,  and  know- 
iag  that  they  had  suffered  teverely,  i  Jetermined  Minterpotc  a  new 
line  with  the  advancing  troopi ;  and  that  disengage  general  Scotti^ 
and  hold  his  brigade  in  reserve.    Orders  were  accoraiB|[Ur  given 
te  general  Ripley.    The  enemy's  artillery  at  this  momejKecttpl^ 
ed  a  hilfrwhicn  gave  great  advanta^,  and  wat  the  key  of  Vvwh<de 
poaition.    It  wat  tupported  by  a  line  of  infantry.    To  tecnre  vie- 
t^,  it  wat  necetsary  to  carry  this  artillery  and  teize  the  heig^it. 
Tkit  dnty  waajatt^ed  to  colonel  Miller,  while,  to  favor  itt  eze- 
ention,  tne  1st  repment,  under  Ihe  command  of  colonel -Nichotaa, 
was  directed  to  manouTie  and  amuse  the  infantry.    To  my  great 
asortiftcation,  this  redinent,  after  a  dmcharge  or  two.  gave  way 
and  retreated  aome  mttance,  before  it  could  oe  rallied,  though  n 
ia  believed  the  officera  of  the  re^mettt  exerted  themtelvet  to 
ahorten  thit  dittance.    In  tiiemean  time,  colonel  Miller,  without 
regard  to  tMi  occurrence,  advnnced  ateadily  and  eillantily  to  hia 
oqeet,  and  carried  the  height  and  the  cannon.    General  Ripley 
lMreo|^  up  tiie  23d  regiment  (which  had  alsoiSdtered,)  to' his  sup- 
port, nnd  the  enemy  maappeared  from  before  them.    The  Istn^ 
ciment  waa  now  brouriit  into  line  on  the  left  of  the  21st,  and  ikt 
detachmenta  of  the  17th  and  19th,  general  Forter  bccup^ne  with 
hit  command  the  extreme  left    About  tiiis  time  colonel  ^diller 
carried  the  enemy's  cannon.    The  25th  rMriment  under  mi^or 
Jettup,  wat  engaged  in  a  more  obttinate  conflict  with  all  ^t  re- 
mained to  ^Bapnte  with  ut  the  field  of  battle.    The  nu^in',  at  hat 
b^n  already  atated,  had  been  ordered  by  gene  r-i.  Scott,  at  the 
commeneement  of  the  action,  to  take  ground  to  lit  rig^t.    |Ie 
had  tncoeeded  in  tuming  the  enemy't  ffiink— had  capturad  (bt  a 
detachment  nndercaptun  Ketchum,)  |«|l«ral  Biall  and  aunary 
other  <Acera^  and  thowed  himtelf  again  to  hia  own  trmy,  in  a 
l^e  (rf  fire,  <  which  defeated  or  dettroyed  a  Terr  tuporior  rorce  of 
theenenrr.    He  wat  wilered  to  form  on  the  ri^t  of  the  2d  reg^- 
ment*^  The  enemy  rallying  hit  forcet,  and  at  it  believed,  having 
reoahred  reinforc^mentt,  now  attempted  to  drive  us  from  our  po- 
sition and  ¥«fa|^  his  artillery.    Our  line  was  unshaken  aind  the^ 
enemT  repulaed.    Twe  other  attempts  having  the  same  otgecttiP 
h«i  we  samd^iaane.    General  Scott  WM  agtin  engaged  in  repeU- 
ii^ctiie  fofnter  of  tihete,  and  Hie  laat  I  saw  of  him  m  ti^e  field  of 
battle,  he  was  near  the  head  of  his  column,  and  giring  to  its  march 
a  directien  that  would  place  him  oh  the  eiiemy't  nriit    It  wat 
with  i^t  pleasure  I  saw  thegoodordei^and  intrepimty  of  gene- 
nk  Boii**!  ▼elnnteeni  fron  mt  Beiiievt  of  their  amvai }  bat  dto» 


*-v4' 


m 


I  '.V' 


iki|;  the  lut  charge  of  the  enemy  theee  qualitlei  were  eonapieef 
i^tiniuUted  br  the  examplea  aet  them  bj  their  tallant  leader,  bf 
m^or  Wood,  of  the  Pennsylvania  corpa,  by  colonel  Dilbliin  of 
Hew  York,  and  by  their  oAcen  generallj,  thmr  precipitated  tiiem- 
selvea  apon  the  enemy's  line,  and  made  all  um  piriaonera  which 
were  taken  at  thia  point  of  the  action. 

Havine  been  for  some  time  wounded,  and  beins  a  good  deal  ex* 
haaated  vy  the  loas  of  blood,  it  became  my  wi^  to  devolve  the 
coillmaad  on  general  Scott,  and  fetire  from  the  field ;  but  on  en* 
q^y,  1  had  the  miafbrtane  to  learn,  that  he  waa  diaabled  by 
Woaiid|^  therefore  kept  my  poet,  and  Imd  the  aatiafictioii  to  aee 
ttie  cf^K^*  la»t  elTort  repaned.  I  now  coarigned  the  comaMtMl 
tojmnmi  Riplev. 

While  retiring  from  the  field,  I  aaw  and  felt,  that  the  victory 
waa  complete  on  ourjpart,  if  proper  meaaurea  were  prempti? 
•dcmted  io  secoreit.  Tlie  ezhanation  (^  the  men  waa,  nowewer, 
/•ttch  as  made  some  refreshment  necessary.  They  particniarly 
^required  water.  I  was  myself  ettiremely  sensible  of  the  want  eC 
;«this  necessary  article.  I  tnerefore  believed  it  proper^  ^lat  |^eral 
Ripley  and  tne  troops  should  retarii  to  camp,  after  briligniR  off 
tltcdead,  the  wounded,  and  artfliery;  and  in  tiiia  I  saw  no  mfll- 
^«tt1ty,  a*  the  enemy  had  entirely  ceaaed  to  act.  Within  an  hMlr 
nfter  my  arrival  in  camp,  I  waa  informed  that  general  lU|dey  had 
returned  without  annoyance  and  in  good  order.  I  now  aent  Ibr 
him,  and  after  giving  him  my  reasona,  for  tfie  meaanre  I  wafe 
tl^at  to  adopt,  mdered  him  tO  put  the  troops  in  the  beat  poiaiUe 
condition;' to  ^ve  to  them  the  necoisary  relreahmentr  to  take 
wi^  him  the  picketiiWd  camp  goards,  and  everir  other  deanrip- 
^ott  of  force ;  to  put  himself  on  the  field  of  bnttle-aa  the  day 
dawned,  and  there  to  meet  And  beat  the  enemy  it  he  again  iqp> 
jpeared.  To  this  order  he  made  no  objection,  and  I  relied  anon 
Its  execution.  It  was  not  executed.  I  feel  moat  aenaiM^  now 
inadequate  are  my  powers  in  speakihsof  thetroopa,  todojuatice 
^  their  merits,  or  to  my  own  sense  of  them.  Uifder  abler  direc- 
tion, ^ey  niij^thave  ilone  more  and  better. 

From  the  precedlHii;  details,  yon  have  new  evidence  of  the  dis- 
tinKuished  gallantry  of  genenda  Scott  and  Porter,  of  cdMlel 
Miner,  and  malor  Jessun  of  ^thfe  1st  brigade.  The  chief,  with  his 
aid'de'oamp.  Worth,  hia  major  of  br^^eSmitii,and  eveiy  com- 
mander of  battalion,  were  wonnded.  The  id  brigade  anfiired 
Teas ;  bat  as  a  brigaidN;,  their  Conduct  entitled  them  to  the  applnose 
of  tibeir  country.  After  the  enemy's  atrong  jioaition  had  boendar' 
ried  by  the  2lst  and  the  detachmenta  of  the  1/th  and  19tb,  the 
1st  and  SM  assumeda  new  character.  They  eootdlMl  agaift  be 
iluken  or  dismayed.  Major  M'Varland  of  th#latlefvliBtt  nobly 
it  the  head  of  hia  battalion. 

Ulidcr  oemmand  of  ienefnl  Porter^  the  aftHitbi  viinnteew  of 
PenniTflvaiiia  ilid  NtfWTork,  ftood  «adlfn«9«li^^ 
teftt  ire;  laid  t^pttlaed  tho  tntevaia  oppoaad  tnteik   IbnCaM- 


iin  vilaiilMii,  Mamwadtd'  bj  colonel  WUmo,  are  repertod  bj 
feneral  Perter*  u  heiung  merUed  end  received  hit  approbetiea. 

The  corpe  of  irtUlery  commeiided  by  ntjor  Ilindroan,  behaved 
with  ita  uaual  nllaatry.    Towaon'a  company  attached  to  the  tMk 
brifade,  waa  the  intend  the  laat engaged,  and  durinff  the  whole 
ceraict  maintained  that  hi|;h  character  which  they  had  previoualy 
veo  by  their  akill  and  their  valor.    Captaina  Bi<iille  and  Ritchie  ■ 
were  both  wounded  early  in  the  action,  but  refuncd  to  <|ttit  the 
Sold,    llie  Utter  declared  diat  he  would  never  leave  his  piece; 
Mid,  tme  to  hb  engagement,  fell  by  its  aide  covered  with  wounda. 
.  Tlie  ataff  of  the  anny  had  its  peculiar  met  it  and  distinction. 
CokNiel  Gardner,  a4|ntant  general,  though  ill,  was  on  horseback, 
and  did  all  in  his  newer;  his  assistant,  ini^or  Jones,  was  very  ac- 
tive .and  useful.    Ify  uillant  aida-de-cainp,  Austin  and  Spencer, 
bad  niany  and  critical  duties  to  perform,  in  tlie  diaclurge  m  whi<^ 
the  latter  fell ;  1  shall  ever  think  of  this  younz  man  with  pride 
.and  regret;  n^p^t,that  his  career  has  been  so  snort :  pride,  that 
it  has  been  aet.  noMe  and  distinguished.    The  engineers,  majors 
M*Ilee  and  Weed,  were  greatly  distinguished  on  this  day,  and 
their  bi^h  military  talents  exerted  with  great  effect;  tliey  were 
iMch  under  my  eye  and  near  my  person,  and  to  their  aasistance, 
«  great  4eal  ia  rainy  to  be  aacribed.    I  most  earnestly  recommend 
thtnu  AS  worthy  or  the  highest  trust  and  confidence.    The  staff 
•f  geneeals  Ripley  and  Porter,  discovered  sfeat  zeal  and  atten- 
tieii  t»  du^y.    lieutenant  E.  B.  Randolph  of  the  20th  regiment,,  ia 
entitled  to  notice ;  his  courage  was  conspicuous.^ 

I  inclose  a  return  of  our  loss :  those  noted  missing,  may  geife-* 
rally  be  niuabered  with  the  dead.    The  enemy  had  nut  little  ojf' 
porauity  of  mdung  prisoners. 
^  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

,  JACOB  BROWN. 

OoMNinble  John  AriMtnmg^ 

SecretMy  of  Ww,  j- 


r> 


N»«< 


SIR, 


FORT  EraE,  August  5th,  1814; 


Having  been  stationed  with  the  let  battalion  of  the  Itt  regl* 
ment  of  rimMnen  at  Black  Rock,  on  u,o  evening  of  the  8d  instant, ' 
I  observed  the  British  army  moving  up  the  river  on  the  opposite 
•ehere,  and  aoapeethig^  they  might  mtke  a  feint  on  Fort  Erie,  udth 
an  intention  or  a  real  attack  on  the  Buffiilo  side,  I  immediately 
moved  and  took  a  position  on  theimper  side  of  Coniocta  Creek, 
andtiiat  ni|^iihfew  up  n  battery  or  aoroe  loga,  which  I  found  on 
tiie  gfoondk  and -had  them  toptti  away.  About  2  o'clock  the  next 
morning,  my  pickets  from  below  gave  me  information  of  thelMid* 
|M'df#boataluU  of  troops,  half  a  mile  below.  I  immediately 
KM  ili;|r  nieB  (S404tt  nundMr)  to  their  quarters,  and  patiently  awaits 
■*«d  dMir  approach.    At  jb  quarter  past  4^  they  advanced  upon  u«,. 


♦ 


ii  '■^' 


■flli 


^^^l.        I 
"tl 


'It  '! 


III! 


tli0  itiaek,  Mnding  ft  Muriy  befoM  i»  itfilr^ 
t  cover  of  their  fire.    When  ther  had  got  tt  kmA 


•ad  €#Maieneed 

bridge,  under  the  cover  of  their  Are.  When  the;|r  had  cot  at  go«| 
rifle  distance.  1  opened  a  heavy  0re  on  them,  which  lain  a  number 
of  them  on  the  ground  and  compelled  them  to  retire.  They  IhMi 
formed  in  the  aairt  of  the  wood,  and  kept  np  the  fire  at  long  ehot. 
eonUnually  reinforcing  from  the  Canaaa  inore,  until  they  bad  It 
boat  loadi,  and  then  attempted  to  flank  ut  by  sending  a  largi 
body  up  the  creek  to  ford  it,  when  I  detached  lieutenants  Ryan* 
8muh  and  Armstrong,  with  a|)o«t  60  men,  to  opi  "e  their  left 
wingv  where  they  were  again  repulsed  with  conslderai .  i  loss,  after 
wl^  they  appeared  dispoeed  to  give  up  their  otj^ct  and  retreat- 
ed by  throwing  six  boat  loads  of  troops  on  Squaw  bland,  whick 
enfiladed  thV  creek,  and  prevented  me  from  harras  inji;  Uieir  rear» 
^.  Their  superior  numbers  enabled  them  to  take  their  killed  and 
wounded  on  the  field,  which  we  |^nly  saw,  and  observed  they 
suffered  severely.  We  found  some  of  their  dead  thrown  into  die 
river,  and  covered  w  ith  logs  and  stones,  and  some  on  the  fidd. 
We  also  collected  a  numliM'  of  muskets  and  aocotttrements*  with 
clothing  that  aj^ared  to  have  been  torn  to  bind  their  wounds* 
We  took  six  onsoners,  who  stated  the  British  force  opposed  to  Mp, 
to  consist  of  from  1£  to  }500me«,  commanded  by  lieutenant  colo<» 
nel  Tucker,  of  the  4ist  regiment.  They  also  state  that  thde 
olject  wu  to  re-capturjB  general  Riall,  with  the  other  JBritbbjri* 
soners,  and  destroy  the  public  stor^  deposited  at  Buflaloh  IW 
action  continued  aoout  two  hours  and  a  half.  1  ani  happy  to  stato 
they  were  completely  foiled  in  their  attempts. 

Our  loss  is  tnfling  compared  with  theirs.  We  had  two  killed  and 
eight  wounded.  1  am  sorry  to  inform  you  that  captain  Hamilton* 
lieutenants  Wadsworth  and  M'Intosh  are  among  the  latter. 
Thmr  f^lantry  in  exposing  themselves  to  encourage  their  men,  I 
tk^k,  entitloA  th^m  to  the  notice  (^  their  cmintry.  My  wholo 
command  behaved  in  »  manner  that  merited  mv  wanhest  iqipro^ 
hation ;  and  injustice  to  them  I  cannot  avoid'  mentioning  tfafe 
names  of  the  officers,  which  are  as  follows;  Captain  Hanultonr 
lieutenanti  Wadsworth,  Ryan,  Calhoun,  M'Intosh,  Arnold,  Bhort* 
ridn,  M'Farland,  Tipton,  Armstrong,  Smith,  Cobbs,  Davidson, 
and  Austin,  with  ensign  Pace.  U,  sir,  you  believe  we  have.donof 
our  duty,  we  shall  feel  higUy  gratified. 

I  am,  sir,  respectfoUy,  &c. 
L.MORQAN, 
Jlfajor  Ut  r\fU  Ttpmaii* 
Ibgor  gcnonJ  Bfovih    _  \         ,  \ 


•fe 


dm» 


HEAD  QUARTBB8,  FORT  EUE,  VPPEB  CANADA. 

AiigiMt7lbri814^ 


\  arrived  at  this  post  on  the  4th  instant,  and  assnuMd  tho 
$ommand,-i-4he  army  is  in  good  spirits*  and  BMrs  healthy  than  I 
tbidd  have  expected. 


iM 


utai  go«d 

aDv»b«r 

TheythMi 

li«7bad«t 

igalwgi 
into  Ryan*  • 
I  tbtir  l«ft 
)  loM,  after 
ndrttrMt- 
ind,  whkk 
Uieirrew* 
kUMuid 
•nred  they 

)n  tlie  ftekl* 

MBtlfWitll 

lit  lUNinda. 
poMdtoiifr 
t«nantcolo# 
I  tlia^  their 
3rttiibtri« 
iffUm  TIm 
ippyl»at««< 

0  killed  and 
iHamilt««« 
the  latter, 
heir  men,  I 
My  whoU 
toeatappr*^ 
itionink  tfat 
iHanultMit 
told»  Bhort* 
^  Dfvidaon, 
» have  don*. 

IPAN, 


The  Britiik  army  inder  lievtenant  general  Dmrnmoiid,  li 
•trongly  potted  oppotite  to  Black  Rock,  two  milci  east  of  this 
fort  r  a  akirt  of  thick  wood  Mparatet  m.  I  yeiterdar  endearoared 
to  draw  him  out  to  tee  and  try  hit  itre**!^ }  for  wii  purpoie,  I 
aek.c  the  rite  corpa  throngh  the  i)itenr£uing  woods,  with  ordcva 
to  amuae  the  enemy'a  light  troope  until  hit  strong  column  should 
get  in  motion,  and  then  to  retire  sloiifly  to  the  plain  this  side  the 
woods,  where  I  had  a  strong  line  posted  in  readiness  to  receife 
the  enemy.  Our  riflemen  met  and  drove  the  enemy's  light  troopa 
into  their  lines,  where  they  remained,  although  the  riflemen  kept 
the  woods  near  two  hours,  and  until  they  were  ordered  in.  They 
returned  without  being  ahle  to  draw  any  part  of  the  enemy's  forca 
after  them. 

Mi^or  Morgan  reports  that  his  oflleers  and  men  acted  with  their 
imal  gallantnr.  The  enemy  left  1 1  dead,  and  three  prisoners  in 
our  llMde,  and  I  am  informed  by  two  persons  just  from  the  Bri- 
tishjilji^  that  their  loes  was  much  more  considerable!  among 
theij^PpL  were  Ave  Indians.  We  lost  five  killed,  and  three  or 

OeSnd  Drumnoiid'a  force,  firom  ^e  best  information  we  ar» 
able  te>  collect  from  deserters  and  others,  amounts  to  upwards  id 
4000,  nrincipally  regulars.  De  Watterille's  regiment  has  joined 
since  the  battle  of  the  95th  ultimo,  together  with  two  or  thret 
companies  of  the  Olengary  corps }  making  a  total  Joined  since  1jk» 
95th,  of  about  tSOO, 

AUGUST,  11th,  1814. 

The  enemVs  position  remains  unchanged ;  they  have  con- 
itmcted  two  oatteries  with  two  embrasures  each,  and  have  erected 
a  wooden  breast  work  1900 1»  1400  yards  in  our  rear.  In  ex- 
amining their  works  yesterday,  captain  Krdsall  of  the  4th  rifle  re- 
l^ent  witii'a  detachment  of  the  1st,  and  his  company,  amounting 
in  th4  whole  to  160  men,  beat  in  two  of  their  strong  juckets  miek 
a  loos  on  tiieir  part  of  10  killed.  Captain  Birdsall  had  one  killed 
and  tiiree  wounded.  General  Drummond  was  much  disap|Miinted 
and  chanined  at  the  failure  of  the  enterprise  of  tiie  Sd  instant, 
andnst  fiufido,  our  riflemen  having  oppooed  and  beaten  them. 
Colonel  Tucker,  it  seems,  has  been  publicly  refvimanded  in  ge- 
neral orders. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

EDMUND  Pw  QAINES. 
■on.  Secretaiy  of  War. 


i  I 


9ApA. 

^;7!lbri814^ 

tiie 
i|t|i|thiiil 


3tB» 


USOnO)  STAlVfi'  8BIP  BUPBRIOl^  OFF  tONttSTON, 

August  lOtb,  1814, 


I  have  been  duly  l^ondured  with  your  letters  of  the  19th  and 
24tli  ef  July.    I  do  uBure  jptt«  sir,  thai  liiva  nev^  beea  under 


ia^'i 


^i?i 


¥  I'l 


9ov 


\  , 


itt]^  jpledge  to  meet  general  Brown  at  4&e  head  Of  tiie  Lake ;  Init 
on  the  contranr,  when  we  parted  at  Sackett^  Haibor,  I  told  Mas 
distinctly,  that  I  should  not  visit'the  head  of  the  Lake,  unless  the 
enemy's  fleet  did.  I  can  ascribe  theintimation  of  general  BrOwn, 
^t  he  expected  the  co-operation  of  the  fleet  to  no  other  motite, 
^n  a  cautious  attempt  to  provide  an  a]^log3r  for  the  poblie, 
against  anj  cohtingent  disaster  to  which  his  armj  might  be  ex- 
posed. 


neral  Brown,  or  his  army,  than  it  could  to  an  armj  in  Tennessee. 

General  Brown  has  never  been  able  to  penetrate  nearer  to  lake 
Ontario  than  Queenstown,  and  the  enemj  is  in  possession  of  all 
the  intermediate  country ;  so  that  I  could  not  even  communicate 
With  the  army,  but  by  a  circuitous  route  of  70  or  80  miles. 

Admitting  general  Brown  could  have  invested  Fort  George,  the 
only  service  he  could  have  derived  from  the  fleet,  would  oe  owr 
preventing  the  stipplies  of  the  enemy  firom  entering  the  NiaciM 
river;  for  the  water  is  so  shallow,  that  the  taive  vessels  couldnot 
approach  within  two  miles  of  their  works.  General  Br?wn  had 
therefore  two  abundantly  suflicient  reasons  for  not  expectimr  the 
eo-operation  of  this  fleet;  it  was  not  promised  him— hum!  was 
eKimerical  in  itself.  *" 

My  Ixed  determination  has  always  been  to  seek  a  meeting  witib 
tfie  enemy  the  moment  the  fleet  was  ready,  and,  to  deprive  him 
of  any  apology  for  not  meetine  me,  I  have  sent  four  guns  on  s^ore 

{rom  the  Superior,  to  reduce  her  armament  in  number  to  an  equa- 
ity  with  the  Prince  Regent's,  yielding  the  advantage  of  their  OS 
votinders.  The  Mohawk  mounted  two  guns  less  than  the  Princess 
Charlotte,  and  the  Montreal  and  Niacara  are  equal  to  the  Gene- 
ral I^e  and  Madison.  I  have  detached,  on  separate  servi^;  idl 
the  bries ;  and  am  blockading  his  four  i^pe  witiiour  four  diips»  in 
hopes  mat  this  may  induce  him  to  come  out. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  he. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 

Ronounble  Willlun' Jones, 

Secretmy  it  tiie  Vvty. 


SIR, 


^ntlTlEl)  STATES*  SHIP  SUPERIOB^  OFF  KINOSTON, 

August  10th.  181« 


Great  anxiety  of  mind  and  severe  bodily  exertions  have  at 
lenrth  broken  down  the  hest  constitutimi,  ana  sulriected  me  to  a 
violent  fever  that  confined  me  for  eighteen  days.  This  misfortune 
was  no  more  to  be  foreseen  than  preventMi,  but  was  parttculaiiy 
■evere  at  the  moment  U  happened,  as  it  indnced  «  ddaj  of  five 
Ofiiz  daya  in  the  aailifll  of  the  fleet. 


m 

In  tii«  early  ^art  of  Jvlj»  I  expected  the  fleet  would  be  inade 
reed  J  for  sailiiq;  by  the  lOth  or  15th ;  but  many  of  the  mechanics 
wore  taken  sick,  and  amongst  them  the  block-makers  and  black- 
smiths, so  that  the  Mohawk  could  notbe  furnished  with  blocks  and 
iron  works  for  the  )(un  and  spar  decks  before  the  34th  or  25tli 
ultimo,  when  she  was  reported  ready  by  captain  Jones.  As  con- 
siderable anxiety  had  been  manifested  by  the  public  to  have  the 
fleet  on  the  lake,  I  should  have  asked  captain  XOnes  to  take  charge 
of  it  and  CO  out,  but  I  was  then  recovering  my  health,  and  was 
e<^ifident  1  should  be  able  in  three  or  tour  days  to  jgo  on  board 
myself.  There  was  an  additional  reason  for  submitting  to  this, 
delay  in  the  difficulty  I  found  in  making  the  changes  of  comman- 
ders, neither  of  them  being  willing  to  oe  separated  from  his  ofli- 
cers  and  m«i,  and  a  change  of  crews  through  the  fleet  being  inad- 
missible. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  Slst  of  July,  I  was  taken  on  board,  but 
it  was  calm,  and  I  did  not  sail  before  the  next  momuig.  To  sa- 
tisfy at  once  whatever  expectations  the  pi4>lic  had  been  led  to 
entertain  of  the  sufficiency  of  this  squadron  to  take  and  maintain 
the  ascendancy  on  this  laxe,  and  at  the  same  time  to  expose  the 
futility,  of  promises,  the  fulfilment  of  which  had  been  rested  oa 
our  anpMrance  at  t^  head  of  tfie  lake,  I  got  under  weish  at  4 
o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  1st  instant,  and  steered  Tor  the 
mouth  of  the  Niagara.  Owing  to  lig^t  winds,  I  did  not  arrive  oH 
there  before  the  5th.  There  we  intercepted  one  of  the  enemy's 
brigs,  running  over  from  York  to  Niagara  with  troops,  and  ran  her 
on  shore  about  six  miles  to  the  westward  of  Fort  George,  for- 
dered  the  Sylph  in,  to  anchor  as  near  to  the  enemy  as  she  could 
with  safety,  and  to  destroy  her.  Captain  Elliot  run  in,  in  a  very 
g^tllant  manner,  to  within  from  SOO  to  500  yards  of  her»  and  was 
about  anchoring,  when  tite  enemy  set  fire  tp  ner  and  she  soon  after 
blew  up.  This  vessel  was  a  schooner  the  last  year,  and  called 
the  Beresford--«incethey  altered  her  to  a  brig,  tney  changed  her 
name,  and  I  have  not  been  able  to  as6ertain  it.    She  mounted  14 

9uns ;  IS  twenly-four  pound  carronades,  and  two  long  ninepoun- 
era. 

Finding  tiie  enemy  had  two  other  bru;s  and  a  schooner  in  the 
Niag^ira  nver,  I  determined  to  leave  a  rorce  to  watch  tiiem,'and 
selected  the  Jefferson,  Sylph  and  Oneida  for  that  nurpose,  and 

{placed  the  whole  under  {he  orders  of  captain  Ridgelv.  Havins 
ooked  into  York  without  discovering  any  vessel  of  tne  enemy,  I 
left  Niagara  with  the  remainder  of  tiie  squadron,  on  the  evening 
of  the  rth,  and  arrived  here  on  the  9(h.  We  found  one  of  Hkm 
enemy's  ships  in^tiie  f^^|p,  and  chiuued  her  into  Kingston. 

My  anxiety  to  rctura  to  this  end  of  the  lake,  was  increased  by 
the  knowledge  I  had  of  the  weakness  of  Sackett's  HartN»r,  and 
the  apprdiension  tiiat  tius  enemy  might  receive  large  reinforce- 
ments at  Kingston,  and,  emoarking  some  of  his  troops  on  board 
his  flee^  make  a  dash  at  the  harbor  and  bum  it  with  all  mj  ptorcp 


11 

'Bfl 

m 

t.  : 

PI 

, '  >i 

1*1 

'   :t 

'■  1 

'  '■  'f 

"  ■  r 

i 

,1 

■    ii; 

I  1^1 


•f       il 


:'i,  i<i 


if^\: 


98$ 

<lttring  oar  alMaiee.  When  1  tefl  the  harbor,  there  were  but  about 
700  re^lar  troops  fit  for  duty.  It  is  true  a  few  militia  had  been 
oalled  m,  but  little  could  be  expected  of  them  should  an  attack  be 
made.  My  apprehension,  it  seems,  was  groundless,  the  enemy 
hating  contented  him^lf  with  annoying,  in  some  trifling  degree,, 
tiie  coasters  between  Oswego  and  the  harbor  in  his  boats. 

I  cannot  forbear  expressing  the  regret  I  feel,  that  so  much  sen- 
•ation  has  been  excited  in  the  public  mind,  because  this  squadron 
did  not  sail  so  aoon  as  the  wise  neads  that  conduct  our  newspaper^ 
have  presumed  to  think  I  ought*    I  need  not  suggest  to  one  or 

Cur  experience,  that  a  man  of  war  may  appear  to  the  eye  of  a 
idsman,  perfectly  ready  for  sea,  when  she  is  deficient  in  many 
of  the  moitt  essential  pmnts  of  her  armament,  nor  how  unworthy 
I  should  have  proved  myself  of  the  high  trust  reposed  in  me,  had 
I  ventured  to  sea  in  the  face  of  an  enemy  of  equal  force,  witiiout 
being  ready  to  meet  him  in  one  hour  after  my  anchor  was  weighed. 

It  oug^t  in  justice  to  be  recollected,  that  the  building  and 
equipment  of  yessels  on  the  Atlantic,  are  unattended  by  any  of 
like  great  difficulties  which  we  have  to  encounter  on  this  lake; 
ihere  every  de[>artment  abounds  with  facilities.  A  commander 
ipakes  a  requisition,  and  articles  of  every  description  are  furnish- 
ed in  12  hours ;  but  this  fleet  has  been  built  and  fitted  in  the 
wUdemess,  where  there  are  no  agents  and  chandlers'  shops  and 
founderies,  &c.  &c.  to  supply  our  wants,  but  every  thing  is  to  be 
ereated ;  and  yet  I  diall  not  decline  a  comparison  ,of  what  has 
been  done  here,  with  any  thing  done  on  the  Atiantic,  in  ^the  build- 
ing or  equipment  of  vessels.  The  Guerrierc,  for  instance,  hat 
been  building  and  fitting  upwards  of  twelve  months  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  and  is  not  yet  ready.  The  President  frigate  went 
into  the  navy  yard  at  New  York;  for  some  partial  repairs,  a  few 
days  after  tiie  keel  of  the  Superior  was  laid ;  since  tiien,  two 
frigates  of  a  large  class  and  two  sloops  of  war  of  the  larsest  class, 
have  been  built  and  fitted  here,  and  have  sailed  before  the  Presi- 
dent is  ready  for  sea,  although  every  article  of  their  armament 
lund  risgine  nas  been  transported  from  New  York  in  despite  of 
obstacJM  vmost  insurmoontable.  I  will  go  further,  sir,  for  it  is 
due  to. the  unremitted  and  unsurpassed  exertions  of  tiiose  who 
have  served  the  public  under  iny  command,  and  will  challenge 
the  world  to  produce  a  parallel  instance,  in  which  the  same  num- 
ber of  yessels  of  such  dimenuons  have  been  built  and  fitted  in 
^e  same  time  by' the  same  number  d  workmen.  . 

I  confess  tiiat  I  am  mortified  in  not  having  succeeded  in  safli- 
fying  the  expectations  of  the  puUic,  but  it  would  be  infinitely 
more  painful,  could  I  find  any  want  of  zeal  w  exertion  in  my 
Mideayours  to  serve  them,  to  which  I  could  in  any  degree  impute 
iheir  disappointment, 

I  haye  tKehonovr  to  be,  ficc 
ISAAC  CHAVNCBY. 
>Wia.JO«aR 


It 


m 


BEAD  QVAItTERS,  FOBT  ERIB,  Aii(i«it  IStfa,  1814^ 


It  haa  become  mj  painful  dutj  to  announce  to  you  the  lost 
of  that  brave  and  excellent  officer  major  Morgan,  of  the  Ist  rifle 
regiment.  He  fell  at  the  head  of  hit  corps,  in  an. affair  vntii  the 
enemy,  on  the  12th  instant,  after  a  display  of  gallantry  worthy  d^ 
the  corps,  and  meriting  the  mtitude  of  his  country. 

I  haa  desired  him  to  send  a  detachment  of  from  80  to  100  mev 
to  cut  off  a  working  party,  supported  by  a  guard  of  the  enemy's 
light  troops,  engaged  in  opemng  an  avenue  for  a  batterjr  in  our 
rear,  having  direcud  to  have  his  corps  ready  to  support,- in  case 
the  enemy  uiould  be  reinforced.  The  detachment  was  command** 
ed  by  captain  Birdsall,  who  attacked  and  drove  the  enemy}  but 
when  about  to  return  to  camp,  he  discovered  a  large  force  ap- 
proaching. The  firing  having  continued  longer  than  the  miyor 
expected,  he  moved  up  the  moment  the  enemy's  reinforcements 
made  tiieir  appearance.  A  warib  conflict  enaued,  in  which  they 
were  forced  Iback,  but  discovering  additional  reinforcements,  ana 
receiving  my  order  to  fall  back,  on  the  appearance  of  a  large  force, 
the  major  gave  the  signal  with  his  bugle  to  retire ;  at  this  moment 
he  received  a  ball  in  his  head.  He  was  brou^t  from  the  field, 
together  with  his  men  who  were  killed  and  wounded.  Of  tiie 
former  were  two  riflemen  and  a  New  York  volunteer,  who,  unao'* 
licited,  accompanied  the  riflemen  with  a  small  party  of  his  corps, 
under  the  command  of  lieutenant  Ghiodfellow,  wno,  1  am  informed, 
has  distinguished  himself  on  similar  occasions,  and  for  whom, 
permit  me  to  request  a  commission  in  one  of  the  rifle  regiments*, 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

EDMUND  P.  GAINES. 

Benounble  Secretiiy  of  Wir.  "^ 


w 


■I- J 


DEFEAT  OF  THE  BRITISH  AT  FORT  ERIE. 

HEAD  QUARTBBS,  FORT  KRIB,  U.  C. 

August  15tli,  ISMr 

BIR,  "^ 

My  heart  is  gladdened  with  gratitude  to  Heaven  and  jov  to 
my  country,  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  inform  you  that  the  gallant 
army  under  my  command  haps  this  morning  beaten  the  enemy  com- 
manded by  lieutenant  general  Dmmmona,  after  a  severe  conflict 
of  near  three  hours,  commencing  at  S  o'clock  this  morning.  Tlhfy 
attacked  us  on  each  flank,  got  possessioh  of  the  salient  bastion  of 
the  old  fort  Erie,  which  was  trained  at  point  of  the  baytmet,  witii 
a  dreadAil  alauf^ter.  J^t  enemy's  loss  in  killed  and  prisoners,  * 
is  about  000 ;  near  SOO^illed.  Our  loss  is  considerable,  but  I 
ftink  not  one-tenth  fa  great  as  that  of  the  enemy.    I  will  not 


li    '1 


■^  V'l 


1      M 


deteia  the  exprMt  i»  give  Toitt  the  partiovlwt.    I  am  preparing 
mj  force  to  follow  up  the  blow. 


With  great  respect,  &c. 

EDMUND  P.  OAINBS. 


Jtonoonble  8ecret«iy  of  War. 


Brig.  Otn.  Commanding^ 


GENERAL  RIPLEY'S  REPORT. 


siR, 


FOBT  ERIE*  Attgusb  17th,  1814. 


I  take  the  liberty  of  reporting  jon  the  canae  of  ^rations  on 
Ihe  left  flank  of  the  camp,  auriiu:  the  action  of  the  15th  inatant.  ^ 

From  indications  satinactory  to  me,  I  was  persuaded  very  early 
of  tiie  enemy's  des^n  of  attacking  us  in  imir  position.  -Before 
any  alarm,  I  caused  my  brigade  to  occupy  their  idarm  posts.  On 
^e  first  fire  of  the  picket,  ciq^n  Towson  ojpened  his  artillery 
upon  them  from  fort  Williams,  in  a  s^le  which  does  him  infinite 
credit  It  was  continued  with  very  great  effect  upon  the  enemy 
during  the  whole  action. 

The  enemy  advanced  with  fixed  bayonets,  and  attempted  t» 
enter  our  works  between  the  fert  and  water.  They  broudit  laddera' 
for  the  purpose  of  scalinc,  and  in  order  to  prevenf  thlrir  troopt 
from  resorting  to  any  o£er  course  excepting  the  bayonet,  had 
eansed  all  tiie  flints  to  be  taken  from  their  muuLets.  The  column 
tiwt  approached  in  this  direction  consisted  of  colonel  Fischer'a 
command,  and  amounting  in  number  te  i^  least  1500  men ;  and, 
accordUngto  the  representations  of  prisoners,  they  were  2,000 


regiment,  not  exceeding  S50  men,  wnder  command  of  mi^or  Wood, 
of  the  engineer  corps.  On  the  enemy's  approach  they  opened 
their  muMcetry  upon  them  in  a  manner  the  most  powerfuL  Fort 
Williams  and  this  littie  band,  emitted  <me  broad  uninterrupted 
sheet  of  light.  The  enemy  were  repulsed.  Ther  rallied,  came 
on  a  second  time  to  the  charsp,  and  a  party  waded  round  our  line 
by  the  lake,  and  came  in  on  the  flank ;  but  a  reserve  of  tw#cem- 
pAnies,  posted  in  the  commencement  of  the  action  to  sunport  tins 

S»int  marched  up  and  fired  upon  the  p^y,  who  were  all  killed  or 
ken.  Five  times  in  this  maimer  did  the  enemy  advance  to  tlm 
charge ;  five  times  were  their  cohimns  beaten  back  in  the  utmost 
cpnfasion  by  a  force  oiD^-aisih  of  tiieir  numbers ;  till  at  lengtlis 
finding  the  contest  ua^vailiiig,  they  retire4>  At  this  point  we 
:i^iA»  147  orisoners* 

During  tne.  contest  in  this  oiiarter»  ^^les  nt  the  whole  of  tiie 
left  wing  were  perfecUy  lined,  in  additiovto  the  reserves ;  «id  I 
found  myself  able  to  detach  three  companies  ef  the  23d  r^ment 


flpMn  tike  left,  to  reinforce  the  troops  at  Fort  Brie,  viz :  ciptaia 
Wattles',  lieutenant  Cantine's,  and  lientenant  Brown's  compa* 
nies,  and  one  of  the  19th  under  captain  Chunn.  They  were  in 
the  fort  during  tiie  time  of  the  explosion,  and  their  conduct  is 
highly  spoken  of  hj  major  Brooke,  their  commandine  officer. 
Indeed,  from  the  high  state  to  which  that  re^ment  has  liceh 
brovf^t  bj  major  Brooke,  I  am  convinced  that  no  troops  will  behave 
better. 

In  sttl|mittin|^to  jour  view  t|ie  conduct  of  the  troops  under  mj 
command  on  Ais  occasion,  I  md  every  thing  to  applaud,  nothittjl; 
to  reprehend.  The  utmost  coolness  and  subordination  was  mani- 
fested, both  bv  the  21st  and  £dd  regiments.  To  major  Woodl 
feel  purtieularly  indebted.  This  officer's  merits  are  so  ^ell  knc^n, 
that  approbation  can  scarcely  add  to  his  reputation.  He  has  ihfr' 
merit,  with  the  Spartan  btod,  in  connexion  with  captain  Towson'a 
artillery,  of  defeating  a  vaunting;  foe  of  six  tim^s  his  force.  Ma^ 
jor  Brooke  did  every  thing  in  his  power';  and  it  affikrds  me  plea- 
sure at  all  times  to  call  the  attention  of  the  general  comtnanding 
to  this  amiable  and  accomplished  officer. 

The  officers  commanding  cnnpanies  immediately  enga|;ed,  have 
my  highest  commendation.  Their  conduct  was  most  judiciioua 
and  sallant.  I  cannot  refrain  from  adverting  to  the  manner  in 
whicn  captain  Towson's  artillery  was  served;  I  have  •never  seen 
it  equalled.  This  officer  has  so  often  distinguished  himself,  that 
to  say  simply  that  he  is  in  actiott,  is  a  viiume  of  edl|;ium ;  tiie 
army,  only  to  be  informed  he  is  there,  by  a  spontaneous  assent;. 
are  at  once  satisfied  that  he  has  performed  well  his  part.  I  have 
no  idea  tiiat  there  is  an  artiUerjr  officer  in  any  service  superior  t» 
him  in  the  knowledge  and  perrormance  of  his  duty. 

The  officers  I  have  mentioned  as  commanding  companies' of  the 
Slst  and  2Sd  rc|pments,  are  particularly  commended  by  their 
commanding  officers.  Captain  Marston,  a  most  valuable  officer, 
commandea  a  first  line  of  three  companies  opposed  to  the  enemy'a 
column.  Captain  Ropes  commanded  the  companies  of  reserve. 
Msjor  Wood  reports  in  the  hu^est  terms  of  the  good  conduct  of 
the  subalterns.  Lieutenant  fuddle,  of  the  15th,  attached  to  the 
21st,  and  Hidl,  and  ensigns  Bean,  Jones,  Cummin^,  and  Thomas, 
of  the  19th,<  as  bdng  extremely  active,  and  performing  their  duties 
with  alacrity. 

The  manner  in  which  lieutenant  Belknap,  of  the  23d,  retired^ 
with  his  picket  guard  fr^mi  before  the  enemy's  column,  excit«p 
my  particular  commendation.  He  ^ve  orders  to  fire  three  times 
as  he  was  retreating  to  camp,  himself  bringing  up  the  rear.  In 
this  gallant  manner,  he  kept  the  light  advance  df  the  enemy  in. 
check,  for  a  ^tmce  irf  two  or  three  hundred  yardi.  I  have  to 
regret,  that  when  enterijDC  our  lin^  >fter  his  troops,  Ike  enemy 
piMied  so^close  upon  him  rant  ht  received  a  severe  wound  from  n 
Bayonet. 


■'*■ 


t      !l 


Lieutentnt  Buthnel  and  CiMney,  of  the  19th,  while  nllantly 
engaged  with  the  ^nemv  at  Fort  Brie,  were  bdth  geverefy,  if  not 
mortuij,  wounded.    Tneir  conduct  merits  the  warmest  appruba- 
'•ti<m> 

Permit  me  to  recommend  to  your  notice,  the  good  conduct  of 
Bj  staff,  lieutenant  Kirby^,  of  the  corps  of  artillery,  my  aid-de- 
campt  and  lieutenant  Holmng,  acting  brigade  major ;  their  activity 
«nd  zeal  was  entirely  to  my  satisfaction. 

1  close  this  long  report,  with  stating  to  yoiK  in  the  highest  termt 
•f  approbation,  the  skilfulness  edUbited  by  doctor  FolterV  suigeon 
•f  the  23d,  and  doctor  Trowbridse,  surgeon  of  the  21st  infantry, 
Iwitii  their  mates  doctor  Gale,  of  tke  2Sd,  and  doctors  Everett  and 
Allen,  (tf. the  21st;  their  active,  humane,  and  judicious  treatment 
«f  the  wounded,  both  of  the  enemy  and  of  our  own,  t(%ether  with 
tiieir  steady  and  constant  attention  to  the  duties  of  tteir  station, 
Kust  have  attracted  your  personal  observation,  and  I  am  confident 
^will  receive  your  approbartion. 

I  hare  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

B.  W.  RIPLEY, 
Brig.  Oen,  Comd:*g  id  Brigade. 
Brigadier  gencnl  GiiiMfc 


m 


am. 


U.  B.  SHIP  ADAMS,  HAllPDEN,  (MAINE.) 

Auguflt  33d,  ISli. 


On  the  I6di,  at  noon,  our  latitude  by  D.  R.  and  two  double 
tkitudes  wa842  20,  and  the  longitude  determinedly  momins imd 
evening  observstions  of  a  cluronometer,  which  had  four  timet 
proven  correct  within  10  miles  during  our  preceding  and  present 
cruize,  was  66  54,  tiie  virind  was  fresh  from  south  south-west,  and 
the  sea  smooth.  In  the  afternoon,  two  vessels  were  discovered  in 
chase,  but  at  such  a  distance  that  we  could  not  ascertain  their 
force.  The  weadier  became  very  foggy  at  night,  and  the  wind 
remaining  fresh  from  the  same  quartet  determined  to  push  for 
tome  port  cS  Massachusetts  bay,  near  Portsmouth,  and  steered 
the  proper  course  for  that  purpMe.  Deeming  it  extremely  pro*- 
bable  we  should  mi^t  some  <«  the  enemy's  vessels  duririg  the 
tt^t,  our  {nisMiers  were  confined  in  the  hold,  and  our  crew  re- 
mained at  quarters.  We  sailed  from  10  to  11  knots  an  hour,  till 
2  A.  M.  whttn,  as  I  expectisd  to  be,  we  were  in  72  fkthoms  water. 
Oiir  estimated  distance  from  cape  Ann,  60  miles.  At  4  A.  M. 
while  in  the  act  of  prepaiii^  for  sounding  again,  th^  look-outa 
forward,  announced  oreakeiv  ahiMul,  and  in  a  moment  after,  the 
ship  struck  upon  a  rock,  g^ittg  10|  knots.  Believing  it  impossible 
she  could  bear  such  a  ihock,  the  misoners  were  first  relMsed  from 
their  confinement  below,  that  lliey  might  have  a  chance  to  save 
tiieir  Uves  in  common  with  (^rselvesupoh  the  rock^  shore,  which 
iru  now  visible  abtout  30  yards  distant    On  aonidiiig  the  pumps. 


'%m 


e  nllantly 
rely,  if  noii 
8t  appruba- 

[  conduct  of 
my  aii-de- 
keir  activity 

idlest  terma 
lerV  surgeon 
Lst  infantry* 
Everett  and 
IS  treatment 
(father  wiih 
Oic^  station, 
am  confident 


BY,       ^ 


^334,1814* 

d  two  double 
mornincand 
d  fouromaa 
;  and  present 
[th-west,  and 
liscovered  in 
lertain  thtir 
id  the  wind 
,  to  push  for 
and  steered 
itremoly  pro- 
jls  duririg  the 
our  crew  re- 
j  an  hour,  till 
[thorns  watar. 
At  4  A.  M. 
k^look-outa 
^t  after,  the 
lit  Impossible 
released  from 
lance  to  save 
shore,  which 
tiiepumpf* 


398 

ne  unvraal  quantity  of  water  was  at  first  discovered,  and  all  taUt 
were  laid  aMck  in  hopes  of  forcing  the  ship  off.    It  was,  how- 
ever, discovered  in  a  few  minutes,  she  was  leakine  so  fast  that  it 
was  deemed  proper  to  remain  on  the  rock  until  day-light.    We 
accordingly  furled  the  lisht  sails,  and  clewed  up  courses  and  top- 
sails.   Day  soon  enabled  us  to  distinguish  objects  through  tiie  fog, 
at  2  or  SOO  vards  distance,  and  to  ascertain  the  hopelessness  of 
savins  the  ship.    Her  cutwater  was  entirelv  destroyed  below  the 
nine  foot  mark ;  the  depth  of  water  under  her  fore  foot,  between 
five  and  six  feet;  forward  of  her  starboard  main  chains,  12  feet ; 
astern,  seven  fathoms,  into  which  the  ship  from  the  situation  of  ^ 
her  bows,  was  depressed  below  her  stem  ports.    The  wind  fredi 
and  a  number  of  rocks  just  to  leeward,  a  considerable  surf.  From 
the  small  portion  of  land  that  was  visible,  it  was  generally  be- 
lieved to  be  the  nubble  of  cape  Neddock,  not  far  from  Portsmouth. 
Hoisted  out  our  boats,  sent  the  small  ones  to  seek  a  place  where 
a  landing  mi^ht  be  most  safely  effected.    In  the  mean  time,  en- 
gaged in  getting  oar  sick  into  the  lai^r  boats,  with  their  bedding, 
clothes  and  provisions,  ready  for  landing.    The  boats  soon  re- 
turned, havine  fortunately  discovered  a  small  chasm  in  the  rock 
capable  of  admitting  a  boat,  and  a  ravine  connected  with  it,  in 
which  the  sick  ought  be  sheltered  in  some  deeree  from  the  wea- 
tiier.    Having  seoured  the  safety  of  the  sick,  it  was  determined, 
from  motives  of  humanity,  to  send  the  prisoners  next,  with  every 
thins;  belonging  to  them,  and  vrith  sails,  tarpaulins  and  medicines 
for  ^  further  comfort  of  the  sick.    A  suq^eons'  mate  was  also 
pent,  and  the  charge  of  the  whole  committed  to  the  purser,  Mr. 
Rodgers.^    Knowing  it  to  be  near  low  water  when  the  ship  struck, 
I  determined  to  make  every  effort  with  the  remainins  postion  of 
our  crew,  to  get  her  off,  when  the  tide  should  rise,  tnoush  with 
little  hope  that  she  could  be  kept  long  above  water,  as  we  had  as- 
certained the  leak  to  be  about  nine  feet  an  hour.    Our  only  hedge 
had  been  early  laid  out^  on  our  weather  q\:arter  to  keep  her  as 
nearly  in  the  same  position  as  possible ;  and  our  only  heavy  an- 
chor was  now  let  go  from  the  waist,  to  prevent  her  swinging  into 
verv  deep  water,  should  she  go  off,  and  to  keep  her  from  tne  rocks 
ana  reefs  to  leeward,  should  she  float,    At  10  A.  M.  it  became 
evident  that  the  tide  would  light  her  off,— furled  the  topsails  and 
light  square  sails ;  carried  the  kedge  out  from  the  bow,  two  cables 
lengths, off  shore,  and  continued  to  send  such  articles  out  of  the- 
ship  as  we  could  most  conveniently  spare,  in  case  of  floatina^ 
After  some  heavy  strains,  at  half  past  10,  the  surf  lifted  her  <m, 
and  she  swung  to  her  anchor.    Manned  all  the  pumps  and  found 
we  could  gain  upon  her.    The  fiood  tide  being  nearly  done,  it  was 
necessary  to  get  her  under  weig^,  instantly  to  reap  the  advantases 
of  its  wealher  current,  the  rocks  astern  and  to  leevrard  nbt  be- 
inji;  half  the  ship's  length  distant    Hove  up,  canted  her  off  shore 
with  the  kedge  and  head  sails,  and  fortunately  passed  from  10  to 
SO  yards  to  windward  of  the  recks  and  reefs  which  extended. 


I  - 1 


I: 


.f       '5 


5 


•|)out  Aree  fonrtlii  of  a  mile  from  the  land.  All  handi  #era  ««• 
nlojed  at  the  pumps  and  sailii  during  the  night,  in  the  hope  of 
lieing  able  to  reach  Portland  tiie  neiS  daj.  At  day  light,  th» 
W,eamer  was  clear,  and  jou  maj  judge  our  surprise  at  discovering 
oiiifelves  near  the  island  of  mount  Desart  This  discover?  ex- 
ciiM  the  greatest  anxiety  for  the  fate  of  our  companions.  Manj 
of  the  ulands  in  the  vicinity,  were  uninhabited— we  were  igno- 
rant on  which  tliey  were,  and  thej  were  probably  exposed  to  all 
the  inclf  pnencies  of  the  weather,  while  suffering  the  pain  of  that 
dreadful  disease  the  scurvy.  I  soon  fell  in  with  two  fishing  boats, 
b»^  of  which  I  despatched  in  search  of  them,  and  then  used 
*"  every  possible  diligence  to  set  into  Pepobscot  bay,  which  we  for- 
tunately effected  during  ^e  night }  and  I  had  the  happiness  to 
hear  the  next  morning,  ^t  our  sick  companions  had  all  been 
safely  conveyed  to  Camden,  with  the  exception  of  one  who  had 
ejqinred*  My  first  intention  was  to  have  stopt  at  Castine,  bat 
was  induced  to  proceed  to  this  place,  as  one  much  better  calca- 
hted  for  a  vessel  in  our  situation.  The  extent  of  the  injury 
which  she  has  received,  cannot  yet  be  known.  Our  pumps  are 
continually  in  motimi.  I  have 'procured  alight  ship,  ana  shall 
take  every  thing  out  of  her,  and  then  lay  her  on  snore,  as  the 
only  means  of  ascertaining  her  damages  at  this  place.  I  cannot 
conclude  this  communication,  without  recomniendinr,  in  the 
strongest  terms,  the  uncommon  good  conduct  of  the  omcen,  sea- 
men and  marinAe  on  this  occasion.  Never  were  mv  orders  exe- 
cuted with  more  promptitude  or  less  confusion,  llieir  coolnesa 
during  the  time  tn<i  dup  was  upon  and  among'  the  rocks,  coald 
only  be  surpassed  bv  titeir  cheerful  endurance  of  nnrendtted  and 
the  mo^t  fatiguing  labour.  Nothing^  but  the  former  could  have 
rescued  her  from  ner  perilous  iiituation,  and  but  f(rir  the  latter* 
she  would  have  been  rescued  in  vain. 


Very  respectfully,  &c. 

C.  MORRIS. 


Hon.  Wm.  Jmm, 


DEFENCE  Ot  FORT  ERIE. 

#:  HEAD  QUARTERS,  LEFT  WING^  3d  DtVDTOir, 

Fort  Erie,  U.  C.  Augurt  33d,  18M. 

SIR,  \ 

I  have  the  honour  to  communicate,  fof  the  informatitm  of 
tiie  department  of  war,  the  particulars  of  the  battle  fought  at  thia 
l^ace,  on  the  15tV  instant,  ^tween  the  left  wii^  of  tiie  Sd  diyi' 
fion  of  the  northern  army,  under  my  command,  and  the  British 
forces  in  the  peninsula  of  Upper  Canada,  commanded  bgrlieute- 
nant  general  Drummond,  which  terminated  in  a  signal  inctery  in 
fiivour  of  the  t^nited  American  anns. 


0»S 

Ovr  pontion  oa  the  mamn  of  the  lake,  at  the  entrance  of  tha^ 
l^iagara  river,  beiM  nearnr  a  horizontal  plun,  twelve  or  flfbeeft 
feet  above  the  lurtace  of  die  water,  posaeaaing  few  natural  ad- 
Tantagea,  had  been  atrengthened  in  front  by  temporary  parapet 
breast  works,  entrenchments  and  abattis,  with  two  batteries  and 
six  field  pieces.  The  small  unfiniahed  fort,  Erie,  with  a  24, 18, 
and  12  pounder,  forma  the  north^eaat,  and  the  Donelass  battery, 
with  an  18  and  6  pounder  near  the  edte  of  the  lake,  the  south-east 
•ntfle  of  our  ri^t.  The  left  is  defended  by  a  redoubt  battery, 
wito  aiz  field  piecea  iust  thrown  up  on  a  small  ridge.  Our  rear 
was  left  open  to  the  lake,  borderea  by  a  rocky  shore  of  easy  as- 
cent. Tne  battery  on  the  left  was  defended  by  captain  Tow*^ 
son  ;  fort  Erie,  by  captain  Williams,  with  miyor  Trimble's  com- 
maud  of  the  19th  infantry ;  the  batteries  on  the  front,  by  cap- 
tains Biddle.and  Fanning ;  the  whole  of  the  artillery  commanded 
by  mtgor  Hindman.  Parts  of  the  11th,  9th,  and  flSd  infantrf 
(of  the  late  veteran  brigade  of  msd^or  general  Scott)  were  posted 
on  the  riffht;  under  the  command  of  lieutenant  colonel  Aspinwidl, 
General  lUplev's  brisade,  consistins  of  the  21st  and  2^,  defend- 
ed the  left.  General  Porter's  brigade  of  New  York  and  Pennsyl- 
vania volunteers,  with  our  distinguished  riflemen,  occupied  ue 
centre. 

I  have  pieretofore  omitted  stating  to  you,  that  during  the  IStk 
and  14th,  the  enemy  had  kept  up  a  brisk  cannonade,  which  waa 
sharply  returned  from  our  batteries,  without  any  considerable 
loss  on  our  [tart.  At  6  P.  M.  one  of  their  shefls  lodged  in  a 
4mall  magazine  in  fort  Erie,  which  was  fortunately  almost  empty. 
It  blew  up  with  an  explosion  more  awful  in  appearance,  than  in- 
jurious III  its  affects,  as  it  did  not  disable  a  man,  or  derange  a  gun. 
It  occasioned  but  a  momentary  cessation  of  the  thundera  oT  the 
artillery  on  both  sides ;  it  was  followed  by  a  loud  «id  joyous 
shout  by  the  Brituh  army,  which  was  instantly  returned  on  our 
part,  and, captain  Williams,  amidst  the  smoke  of  ihe  explosion, 
renewed  the  contest  by  an  animated  roar  of  hia  heavy  cannon. 

From  the  aupposed  loss  of  our  ammunition,  and  the  ccusequent 
depression  such  an  event  was  likelv  to  produce  uptm  the  minds  of 
«ur  men,  1  felt  persuaded  that  this  explosioa  would  lead  the 
enemy  to  assault,  and  made  my  arrangements  accordingly.  The 
annexed  paper  No.  l,is  a  cony  of  lieutenant  general  Drummond's 
order,  and  plan  of  attack.  [Not  published.] 

The  night  waa  Auk,  ana  the  eariy  part  of  it  raining,  but  tiie 
faithful  sentinel  slept  not{  one  third  of  the  troops  were  up  at 
their  posts.  At  half  paat  two  o'clock,  the  right  column  of  the 
enemy  approached,  and  though  enveloped  in  darkness  black  aa 
hia-desupia  and  principlea,  was  distinctly  hear^  on  our  left,  uid 
promptly  marked  by  our  muaketry  under  major  Wood,  and  can- 
non under  captain  Towson.  Being  mounted  at  the  moment,  I  re* 
¥iired  to  the  point  of  attack,.where  the  sheet  of  fire  rolling  from 
owioa'i  lottery,  and  ^e  muaketr/  of  the  left  wing  of  the.  i^lit 


■im 


';'  ■■ 

l 

m- 

ji., 

■--.  i-   •  ■; 

'! ""' 

\i    ■ 

^rs' 

m- 

k 

1-1 . 

Hi. 


',^B!K^''n?^BffWTWIW®*^^^ 


'  *7,     tV 


iBfantnr  under  m^mr  Wood,  enablod  mo  to  «m  tko 
lamn  oT  about  1500  men  Approachtug  on  that  point)  hit  advance 
Ufa*  not  checked,  until  it  nad  ^proached  witnin  ten  feet  of  our 
infantry.  A  line  of  looee  brush  repre»«'ntiog  an  abattii  onW  in* 
tervened ;  a  column  of  the  enemy  attempted  to  pale  rouno  the 
t^^U  through  the  water,  where  it  wae  nearly  breaat  deep.  An* 
prehendiiu  that  this  point  would  be  carried,  I  ordered  a  detach- 
ment of  riflemen  and  infantry  to  its  support,  but  havin||  met  witii 
the  nllant  commander,  miyor  Wood,  wan  assured  by  him  that  he 
could  defend  his  position  without  reinforcements.  At  this  mo- 
ment the  enemy  were  repulsed,  but  instantly  renewed  the  chane 
and  were  again  repulsed.  My  attention  was  now  called  to  the 
ri^t,  where  uur  batteries  and  lines  were  soon  lighted  by  a  most 
brilliant  tire  of  cannon  and  musketry ;  it  announced  the  apwoach 
ef  the  centre  and  left  columns  of  the  enemy,  under  colonels  Drum- 
mond  and  Scott;  the  latter  was  received  by  the  veteran  9th,  un- 
der the  command  of  cajptain  Foster,  and  captains  Broughton  and 
llarding's  companies  or  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  Tolttnteers, 
aided  b,>  a  six  pounder  judiciouslv  posted  by  major  M*Ree,  chief 
engineer,  who  was  most  active  ana  useful  at  this  pmnt ;  they  were 
repulsed.  That  of  the  centre,  led  by  colonel  Orummond,  was  not 
lone  kept  in  check ;  it  approached  at  once  every  assailable  point 
of  uie  tort,  and  witli  scaling  ladders  ascended  the  parapet,  but 
was  repulsed  with  dreadful  carnage.    The  assault  was  twice  re- 

Stated,  and  as  often  checked,  but  the  enemy  having  moved  round 
e  ditch  covered  by  darkness,  added  to  the  heavy  cloud  of  smoke 
which  had  rolled  from  our  cannon  and  musketry,  enveloping  sur- 
rounding oMects,  repeated  the  charge,  re-ascended  the  ladders; 
thmr  pikes,  nayonets  and  spears  fell  upon  our  V^lsnt  artillerists. 
The  g^lant  s|Hrits  of  our  ravourite  captain  Wuliams  and  lieute- 
nants M'Oonough  and  Watmourii,  with  their  brave  men,  were 
overcome.    The  two  former,  and  several  of  their  men,  received 
deadly  wounds.    Our  bastion  was  lost;  lieutenant  M'Dononch»> 
being  severely  wounded,  demanded  quarter;  it  was  refused  nj 
colonel  Drummond.    The  lieutenant  then  seized  a  hand  apike 
and  nobly  defended  himself  until  he  was  shot  down  with  a  pistol 
by  the  monster  who  had  refused  him  quarter,  who  often  reiteratedr.^ 
the  order— **  give  the  damned  yankees  no  quarter."    This  officeft  f 
whose  bravery,  if  it  had  been  seasoned  with  virtue,  would  have  > 
entitled  him  to  the  admiration  of  every  soldier.    Tliis  hardened 
murderer  soon  met  his  fate.    He  was  iuiot  through  the  breast  by  ^ 
^— — —  of  the  — —  regiment,  while  repeating  the  wder^ 
*<tonve  no  quarter." 

The  batUe  now  raged  >  with  increased  fury  on  the  rudit,  bat  on 
the  left  tiie  enemy  was  r^ulsed  and.  put  to  fli|^t.  Thence  and 
from  the  centre,  I  ordered  reinfwcemento.  They  were  promptly 
sent  ^  br^adier  general  Mpley,  and  Inrifladier  general  Porter. 
Captain  Fanning,  <n  tiie  corps  6t  artillery,  kept  np  a  spirited  andi . 
destructive  £rt  with  hit  field  jneces,  on  the  enemy  attempting  to 


■w^ff*- 


af7 

ifpniell  th«  fbrt  Mi^  HindmM'i  gtllant  tiRnrtf,  aided  br 
■Muor  Trimble*  hairing  failed  to  drire  the  enemy  from  die  baatiott, 
witli  the  remaining  artilleriats  and  infantry  in  the  fort,  caplaiti 
Birdaallt  of  the  4th  rifle  regiment,  with  a  detachment  of  riflemen, 
gallantry  mihed  in  throu|^  the  gatewar  to  their  aitsiitance,  and 
with  aome  infantry,  charged  the  enemy,  mit  was  repnlaed,  and  the 
captain  seTerely  wounded.  A  detachment  from  the  llth,  19th, 
and  28d  infantry,  under  captain  Fetter,  of  the  llth,  were  intra- 
duced  over  the  interior  bastion,  fur  the  purpose  of  charging  the 
enemy.  Mi^or  Hall,  aasiitant  inspector  funeral,  very  handsomely 
tendered  his  services  to  lead  the  charse.  The  charge  was  gallantly 
made  by  captain  Foster  and  major  Hall,  but  owing  to'the  narrow- 
ness of  the  passage  up  to  the  bastion,  admitting  only  two  or  three 
men  abreast,  it  failed.  It  was  often  repeated,  and  as  often  checked ; 
the  enemy's  forc^  in  the  bastion  was,  however,  much  cut  to  pieoea 
and  diminished  by  our  artillery  and  small  arms.  At  this  moment 
every  operation  was  arrested  by  the  explosion  of  some  cartridges 
4leposited  in  the  end  of  the  stone  building  adjoining  the  contested 
bastion.  The  explosion  was  tremendotts—it  was  decisive ;  the 
bastion  was  restored.  At  this  moment,  captain  Biddle  was  or- 
dered to  cause  a  field  piece  to  be  posted  so  as  to  enfilade  the  ex- 
terior plain  and  salient  glacis.  The  captain,  thoo^  not  recovered 
from  a  severe  contusion  in  the  shoulder,  received  from  one  of 
the  enemy's  shells,  promptly  took  his  position,  and  served  hia 
field  piece  with  vivacity  and  effect.  Captain  Fanning's  battery 
likewise  |4ayed  up«m  them  at  this  time  with  great  effect.  The 
enemy  were  in  a  few  momenta  entirely  defeated,  taken  or  put  to 
flight,  leaving  on  the  field  222  killed,  174  wounded,  and  186  pri- 
aoners.  A  lane  portion  aro  so  severely  wounded,  that  they  can- 
sot  aurvive ;  mt  slightly  wounded,  it  is  presumed,  were  carried 
off. 

To  brigadier  general  Ripley^  much  credit  is  due  for  the  judi- 
ciooB  dispoaition  of  the  left  wing,  previous  to  the  action,  and  for 
the  ateady  diaciplined  courage  manifested  by  him  and  hia  imme- 
diate command,  and  for  the  promptness  with  which  he  complied 
with  my  orders  for  reinforcement  during  the  action.  Brigadier 
general  Porter,  commanding  the  New  York  and  Pennsylvania 
volnnteera,  manifested  a  degree  of  vigilance  and  iudgraent  in  his 

geparatory  arrangements,  as  well  as  military  skill  and  courage  in 
e  action,  which  provea  him  to  be  worthy  the  confidence  of  his  coun- 
try, and  ^e  brave  volunteers  who  fought  under  him.  Of  the  volun- 
teers, captains  Broughton  and  Harding  with  their  detachniOnts  post- 
ed on  the  ririit,  ana  attached  to  the  line  commanded  by  captain  E. 
Foster,  of  the  veteran  9tii  infantry,  handsomely  contributed  to 
the  repulse  of  the  left  column  of  the  enemy  under  colonel  Scott. 
The  judicious  prep&rationa  and  ateady  conduct  ot  lieutenant 
colonel  Asjnnwall,  commanding  the  first  brigade,  merit  approba- 


1    ' 

,' 

* 

1 

r 


1 


'    I 


u 


H  1    * 


I' 


r 


n 


^f'-^ 


To  mi^  M*RMt  chief  engineer,  the  greeteei  credit  ie  dne  Ar 
the  excellent  errenfement  and  ekilfiil  execition  of  hie  pient  fbr 
fortifjing  and  defendinc  the  riiht,  and  for  hie  correct  ana  aeaaon- 
able  raggeations  to  r^ain  the  baation.    Mi^  Wood,  of  the  en- 

E'neert,  also  greatlj  contriboted  to  the  pr«vioua  meaavree  of  dc- 
nce.  He  has  accepted  the  command  ot  a  regiment  of  iiifKnt^'j* 
(the  SI  St.)  for  which  he  has  often  proved  himMlf  well  r^ualitten, 
but  never  so  conspicuousl  v  aa  on  this  occasion. 

To«vson*s  batterj  emitted  a  constant  sheet  of  fire.  Woed't 
small  arms  lighted  up  the  space,  and  repulsed  five  terrible  chariea 
made  between  the  battery  and  the  lake.  Brigadier  general  Ri^- 
lev  sneaks  in  high  terms  of  the  officers  and  men  ennced,  parti- 
cttlarlj  captains  Marston  and  Ropes,  lieutenanta  Rid«lle  (of  the 
15th,  doing  duty  with  the  Slst)  and  Hall ;  ensigns  Bonn,  Jones, 
Cummings  and  Thomas  of  the  21st,  and  Kealljr  and  Green  of 
the  19th. 

l|[igor  Hindman,  and  the  whole  of  the  artillery  under  tl  *)  cor/t- 
mand  of  that  excellent  officer,  displayed  a  degree  of  gallsiKi)' 
and  good  conduct  not  to  be  surpassed.  The  particular  situatiun 
of  captain  Towson,  and  the  much  lamentea  captain  Williame 
and  lieutenant  M'Oonouj^,  and  that  of  lieutenant  Watmough,  as 
already  described,  with  their  respective  commands,  rendered  th6m 
most  consfNcuous.  The  courace  and  good  conduct  of  lieutenant 
Zantzinger  and  lieutenant  Chiids,  is  spoken  of  in  high  terms  by 
muor  Hindman  and  captain  Towson,  as  also  that  of  aeijeant 
muor  Oenhon.  Captains  Biddle  and  Fibining,  on  the  centre  and 
rigfit  of  their  entrenchments,  threw  their  shot  to  the  right,  left 
and  front,  and  annoyed  tlie  Indiana  and  light  troops  of  the  enemy 
approaching  from  tite  viroo<ls.  Lieutenant  Fontaine  in  his  seal  to 
meettiie  emnny,  was  unfortunately  wounded  and  made  priaoner. 
Lieutenant  Bird  was  active  and  useful,  and  in  fact  evety'  indivi* 
dual  belonging  to  the  corps  did  their  duty. 

The  detachment  of  Scott's  gallant  brinde,  consisting  of  parti 
of  the  9th,  1 1th  and  22d  infant^,  did  its  dutv  in  a  manner  worthy 
ihe  hUdk  reputation  the  brigade  had  acquired  at  Chippewa,  and  at 
the  fuls  of  Niagara.  The  .9th,  under  the  commana  of  captain 
Edmund  Foster,  was  actively  engaged  against  the  left  of  the 
enemy,  aqd  with  the  aid  of  lieutenant  Don[>:la8A's  corps  of  bom- 
bardetra,  commanding  the  water  battery,  L:Ki  of  >!m^  of  the  volun* 
teers, under  captains  liroughton and  m:<ihi;;,  ''-tedtiM^' 
pulse.  The  good  conduct  of  lieutenant  Tri/^us,  /ttihmaii  and 
Foot,  and  ej^sign  Blake,  deserves  commendaticii.  \  u 

The  officert  killed,  are  captain  Williams  and  lieutmant  M*]>o- 

nomrh  ai  the  artillery.    Wounded,  lieutenant  Watmough  of  the 

'artiuehr ;  ensign  Cissney  19th ;  lieutenant  Bnshnel  Slst ;  lieute- 

i^^^ts  )tr6wn  rjid  Belknap  23d;  and  ciptain  Birdsall,  4th  rifle 

?ed'n!y..,  all  Cwverely.  . 

1.  •sutenant  fontaine  of  the  artillery,  who  was  taken  prisono^ 
wri>£«^  from  tiie  British  camp,  that  he  fortvnately  fell  mto  tiie- 


NT' 


tadi  •!  tht  IndiMf ,  who,  tiler  taking  hb  mmef,  tMatad  Mm 
fcindlj.    It  would  MOHi,  diMn«  that  thMo  aavagea  had  not  Joinoir 
in  the  reaolntioB  to  give  no  quarter. 

ToBli^JoBea,  iaainfant  adjutant  foneraJ,  and  major  Hall» 
ftatlatant  iBipector  general ;  cof^aia  Httrio  of  the  dragoon»,  vo- 
Inntoer  Aid-de-camp ;  lieutenat  ^  Briton,  aid-de-cainp,  much 
credit  ia  die  for  their  conatant  vigilancf  and  atrict  attentioti  te* 
every  dotr  |>reviou8  to  the  action*  and  the  atoidT  courage,  w^ 
and  actiTity,  which  they  manifested  during  the  action. 

Tlie  anrgeona,  doctort  Fuller  83d,  Trowbridge  Slat,  with  their 
matea  t  doctora  Gale  of  the  £fld,  and  Everitt  and  Allen  of  the 
Slit,  deaerve  the  warmeat  approbation,  for  their  indefatigable  ez- 
«rtiona  and  humane  attenuon  to  the  wounded  of  ouir  army,  at 
w^XL  u  to  the  priaonera  who  fell  into  their  handa. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  ix. 
E.  P.  OAINBS,  Brig,  Oen.  C&mdg, 
Hon.  MpAnMtoong,  Becretarjr  of  War. 

Mnart  of  tlu  IriUad,  woumM  and  fwiaonera,  taken  at  fAc  batila 
0/  Srie»  U,  C,  Jiuguit  15(fc,  1814. 

Killed,  left  on  the  field,  889— wounded,  lefton  the  field,  174^ 
priaonera,  186.    Grand  total,  588. 

Two  hundred  auppoaed  to  be  killed  on  the  loft  fiank,  near 
Snake  Hill  (in  the  water)  and  permitted  to  float  down  the  Nia- 
cam.  The  number  on  the  right  flank,  near  the  woods,  could  not 
Ea  aacerttined. 

Given  at  the  inapector  genertl't  office.  Fort  Erie,  U|^r  Ct* 

NATHL.  N.  HALL. 

JM$t,  Inapt^  Qmu 
Brig.  Gen.  B.  P.  Gidn«%  8te» 


HEAD  QUABTBR8,  FORT  EUB,  UPPER  CANADA,       f 

Auguataeth,  1814 

SIR, 

Ib  mr  report  of  the  battle  of  the  15th  inatant,  I  inadvertent- 
1t  oalMea  the  namea  of  captain  Chunn  of  the  19th,  lieutenantt 
Bownaan  and  Lamed,  of  the  81at,  and  Jewittof  the  11th  infantry, 
aa  alao  my  brigade  m^or,  lieutenant  Gleaaon;  each  of  whom 
bore  a  conapicttoua  part  in  the  action,,  and  whom  I  beg  leave  to 
i«fiiwwiiil  to  your  notice.  laeutenanta  Bowman  and  Lamed 
coaaBMi4od  conuianiea  in  the  81at,  which  ao  eallantly  beat  thf  ^ 
enesy^  ri|^  columB.  Captain  Chunn  with  nia  company  waa 
doing  dbty  with  the  aame  repment  I  alao  omitted  mentioning 
Ihttta  part  <tf  that  rMpment  pnraued  the  enemy's  right  upwarda 
of  a  mue,  and  took  100  priioners ;  hiB  left  wat  alao  purtued,  and 


..^."tT   ' 


*»v 


'h' 


B  ?, 


more  than  an  hundred  priaonera  were  taken  beyottd  oir  wotjtf. 
lliese  facta  prove,  thattke  affair  was  not  mereljr  a  lir/Mieecff  biir 
position,  or  a  mere  repulse  of  the  enemy,  as  I  find  it  called  bj 
some.  As  regards  myself,  1  am  satisfied  with  lli«/PMiti|«  andain 
not  disposed  to  make  any  difficulty  about  the  inMit  by  whictU  £he 
aflhir  may  be  called ;  but  it  is  due  to  the  brave  men  i  have  the 
honour  to  command,  that  I  should  say,  that  the  aflhir  was  to  the 
enemy  a  sere  beating  and  a  defeat^  and  it  was  to  us  a  handsome 
victory. 

^r  position  is  growing  stronger  eveij  day  by  the  exertions  of 
vu.,  >ts  M'Ree  and  Wood,  and  the  6fficers  and  men  gene^Uy. 
iVe  keep  up  a  smart  cannonade.  One  of  the  enemj's  pickets 
yesterday  approached  nearer  to  ours  than  usual.  Maior  Brooks, 
officer  of  the  aay,  added  1 00  men  to  our  picket,  attaqked  and  dnrre 
tiiem  in  with  considerable  loss ;  the  major  brought  in  about  30 
muskets.  In  this  affair,  however,  we  have  to  lament  the  loss  of 
another  gallant  officer,  captain  Wattles,  of  the  2Sd ;  oufSii  was 
otherwise  inconsiderable.  .    '^^ 

I  have  the  honour  to  be.  &c 
E.  P.  GAINES. 
BHgadier  OeiiteriU  Commanding. 
Hon.  John  AmuAxong,  Secretary  of  War. 


BATTLE  OF  BLADENSBURO. 


m 

Hg 

■  '^'^^^^B 

?  1  j;  y  '"^ 

'Vv  -■'       -                  ^^H 

: 

■'  '■                 m 

-1 

W  ^     IihI 

fit:     1 

«'^                   i 

HIMl 

I'l ' ;-      ^'1'^^ 

m¥  ■I 

U^  .  1 , .     :}MH 

J,    ||||[^::1?a 

liHHM>''ti^  - 

1    •  I'mM 

H^L'' ;aii-''H   1 1 

SIR, 


BALTIMORE,  August  2rt&,  1914. 


When  the  enemy  arrived  at  the  month  of  Potomac,  of  all  the 
militia  which  I  had  been  authorized  to  assemble  there  were  but 
about  1,700  in  the  field,  from  13  to  1400  under  general  Stansbury 
near  this  place,  and  about  £50  at  Bladensburg,  under  lientenant 
colonel  Kramer ;  the  slow  progress  of  draft,  and  the  imperfect 
organization,  with  the  ineffectiveness  of  the  laws  to  compel  them 
to  torn  out,  rendered  it  impossible  to  have  procured  more. 

The  militia  of  this  state,  and  the  contiguous  parts  of  Vir^nia 
and  Pennsylvania,  were  called  on  en  masse,  but  the  former  militia 
law  of  Pennsylvania  had  expire^  on  the  1st  of  June  or  July,  and 
the  one  adopted  in  its  place  is  not  to  take  effect  in  organizine  the 
militia  before  October.  No  aid,  therefore,  has  been  received  from 
tiiat  state. 

After  all  the  force  that  could  be  put  at  my  disposal  in  that  short 
time,  and  making  such  dispositions  as  I  deemed  best  calculated 
to  present  the  most  respectable  force  at  whatever  point  the  enemy 
might  strike,  I  was  enabled  by  the  most  active .  and  harrassing 
movements  of  the  troops,  to  interpose  before  the  enemv  at  Bla- 
densburg, about  5000  men,  including  350  regulars,  ana  commo- 
dore Barney's  command.  Much  the  largest  portion  of  this  force 
arrived  on  the  ground  when  the  enemy  were  in  8^t>  and  were 


ii^ 


It  srtb,  1814. 


H^iMi  t6  ItqiMrt  in  tfte  b«ftt  mannet  die  position  which  g«h^Mt 
fiwaibtity  had  Uken.  Thej  Hd  barely  reached  the  ground  bj»- 
fore  the  action  commenced,  which  was  about  one  o'clock,  P.  fij^ 
of  the  24th  instant,  and  continned  about  an  hour. 

The^  cohtest  was  not  as  obstinately  maintained  as  could  havir 
been  desired,  bat  was  by  parts  ot  the  troops  sustained  with  ereat 
spirit  and  with  prodigious  effect,  and  had  the  whole  of  our  force 
b«en  e^atly  firm,  I  am  induced  to  believe  the  enemy  would  have 
been  repulsed  notwithstanding  all  the  disadvantages  under  whicK 
We  foumt.  .  The  artillery  from  Baltimore,  supported  by  major 
Pinltt^*g  rifle  battalion  and  a  part  of  captain  Doughty's  m>m  thft 
IfavY  tratd,  wiere  in  advance  to  command  the  pass  oi  the  bridg^ 
at  BradensbuVg,  and  played  upon  the  enemy,  as  I  have  since  leanir 
ed,  with  very  destructive  effect;  but  the  nfle  troops  were  obliged 
after  some  time  to  retire,  and  of  course  artillery.  Superior  nttmbei#, 
however,  rushed  upon  them  and  made  their  retreat  necessanr,  iiot 
however  without  great  I^ss  on  the  part  of  the  enemy.    Major 
Pinkney  received  a  severe  wound  in  his  right  arm,  after  he  had 
ifetir^  to  the  left  flank  of  Stansbury*s  brigade.    The  right  and 
eentre  of  Stansbury*s  bri^e,  consisting  of  lieutenant  colond 
Bagaa*8  and  Skutez's  regiments,  KenenJly  gave  way  very  soon 
afterwards,  with  the  exception  of  diout  forty  rallied  by  colonel 
Ragan,  after  having  lost  his  horse  and  a  whole  or  a  part  of  captain 
Trower's  company,  both  of  whom  general  Stansbury  represents 
to  have  made,  even  thus  deserted^  ajgallant  stand.  The  fiul  which 
lieutenant  colonel  Ragan  received  from  his  horse,  together  with 
liis  great  eflbrts  to  sustain  his  position,  rendered  him  unable  to 
follow  the  retreat ;  we  have,  therefore,  to  lament  that  this  gallant 
and  Excellent  officer  has  been  taken  prisoner.    He  has,  however, 
been  paroled,  and  I  met  him  here  recovering  from  the  bruises 
occasioned  by  his  tall.    The  loss  of  his  services  at  this  moment 
is  serious.    The  5th  Baltimore  regiment,  under  lieutenant  colonel 
Sterret,  being  the  left  of  brigadier  general  Stansbury's  brigade, 
atill,  however,  stood  their  grc'aad,  and  except  for  a  moment, 
when  part  of 'ihem  recoiled  u  few  steps,  remained  firm  and  stood 
until  ordered  to  retreat  with  a  view  to  prevent  them  from  being 
•out  flanked. 

'the  reserve  under  bri^dier  general  Smith,  of  the  district  of 
Columbia,  witii  the  militia  of  the  city  and  Georaetown,  with  the 
regulars  and  some  detachments  of  the  Maryland  militia,  flanked 
on  tiieir  right  by  commodore  Barney  and  His  brave  fellows,  and 
lieutenant  colonel  Beall,  still  were  to  the  right  on  the  hill  and 
maintained  the  contest  for  some  time  with  threat  effect. 

It  is  not  with  me  to  report  the  conduct  of  commodore  Bamey^ 
and  his  command,  nor  can  I  speak  from  observation,  being  too  re> 
mote ;  but  the  concurrent  testtmonv  of  all  who  did  observe  Ihem, 
does  them  the  highest  justico  for  tneir  brave  resistance,  and  the 
destructive  effect  they  produced  on  the  eiiemy.    Gommoderf 


mm 


■t .  ' ; 


la 


f:;:l  ■ 


v'i 


Mm 

16     s'*  ..4. 


:•* 


llll1- 


iii 


4ttl 


^iatntjt  after  liating  lost  his  hone;  took  post  near  one  <^his  nM, 
and  there  unfortunately  received  a  severe  wound  in  the  uiig^ 
«nd  he  also  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemj. 

Captain  Miller,  of  marines,  was  wounded  in  the  arm  f  ghting 
bravelj.  From  the  best  intelligence  there  remains  but  little  doulra^ 
^at  the  enemy  lost  at  least  four  hundred  killed  and  wounded,  and 
of  these  a  very  unusual  portion  killed.  Our  loss  cannot,  I  think, 
be  estimated  at  more  thaii  from  tiiirty  to  forty  killed,  and  fifty  vr 
foxij  wounded. 

xou  will  readily  understand  that  it  is  impossible  for  me  to 
apeak  minutely  of  the  merit  or  demerit  of  particular  troops  so 
litUe  known  to  me  from  their  recent  and  hasty  assemblagie.  My 
subsequent  movements,  for  the  purpose  of  preserving  as  mnch  of 
9iy  force  aS  possible,  guning  reinforcements  and  protecting  this 
place,  you  already  knpw.  ' 

,       K      '  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

WM.  H.  WINDER, 
Brig.  Gen.  Comdg,  lOth  M,  D, 

P.  S.  We  have  to  lament  that  captain  Sterret,  of  the  5th  Bal- 
timore regiment,  has  also  been  wounded,  but  is  doing,  well ;  other 
officers,  no  doubt,  deserve  notice,  but  I  am  as  yet  unable  to  pari; 
ticttlarize.  > 

Roo.  JohnAnnrtroQ^  Sectctuy  of  Wsr. 


ftlR. 


NAVT  TARD,  WASHINGTON,  Auguit  STth,  1814. 


After  receiving  your  orders  of  the  24th,  directing  the  publie 
_  ping,  stores,  &c.  at  this  establishment,  to  be  destroyed,  In  case 
of  tne  success  of  the  enemy  over  our  army,  no  time  was  lost  in 
making  the  necesaAcy  arrangements  for  finngthe  whole,  and  pre- 
paring boats  for  departing  from  the  yard,  asyon  had  sunested. 
About4  P.  M.  I  receive«f  a  messaee  by  an  oflETcer,  from  thesecre- 
.tary  of  War,  with  information  mat  he  could  '*  protect  me  no 
loneer."  Soon  after  this,  I  was  informed  that  the  conflagration 
of  the  Eastern  Branch  bridge  had  commenced ;  and,  in  a  few 
minutes,  the  explosion  announced  the  blowing  up  of  that  part  near 
tiie  **  draw,'*  as  had  been  arranged  in  the  morning.  f 

It  had  been  promulgated,  as  much  as  in  my  power,  aniong  the 
inhabitants  of  the  vicinity,  the  intended  fate  of  the  yard,  in  order 
that  they  miffht  take  every  possible  precaution  for  the  safety  of 
tiiemselves,  families,  and  property,  immediately  several  indivi- 
duiJs  came,  in  succession,  endeavoring  to  prevail  on  me  to  deviate 
from  my  instructions,  which  they  were  invariably  informed  was 
vnavailing,  unless  they  could  bring  me  your  instructions  in  writ- 
ing, conntermanding  those  previously  given.  A  deputation  also  of 
the  BMWt  respectable  women  came  on  the  tame  errand*  when  I 


408 

Ikmnd  m  jBelf  painfiiU  j  necessitated  to  inform  theni  that  any  file? 
Iher  importunities  would  cause  the  matches  to  be  instantlj  ap-f 

rlied  to  the  trains,  with  assurance,  however,  that  if  left  at  peace^ 
would  delay  the  execution  of  the  orders  as  long  as  I  could  feel 
the  least  shadow  of  justification.  Captain  Greighton's  arrival  at 
^  yard,  with  the  men  who  had  been  with  him  at  the  bridge,  (pro^ 
babijT  about  5  o^cIock,)  would  have  justified  nie  in  instant  opera- 
tion; but  he  also  was  strenuous  in  the  desire  to  obviate  the  intendf 
ed  destruction,  and  volunteered  to  ride  out  and  gain  me  positive 
informatipn,  as  to  tiie  position  of  the  enemy,  under  the  hope  that 
our  army  mi^t  have  rallied  and  repulsed  them,  I  was  myself, 
indeed,  desirous  of  delay,  for  the  reason  that  the  wind  was  then 
blowingft>eBhfrom  the  south  south  west,  which  would  most  probably 
kaye  caused  the  destruction  of  all  the  private  prcpert^r  north  and 
east  of  the  yard,  in  its  neighbourhood.  I  was  oif  opinion,  also, 
that  the  close  of  the  evening  would  bring  with  it  a  calm,  in  which 
happily  we  were  not  disappointed.  Other  gentlemen,  well  mount- 
ed, volunteered,  as  captain  Creighton  had  done,  to  ^o  out  i(nd 
bring  me  positive  intelligence  of  the  enemy's  situation,  if  pos- 
sible to  obtain  it. 

The  evening  came,  and  I  waited  witii  much  anxiety  the  returi, 
•f  captain  Creighton,  having  almost  continual  information  that 
the  enemy  were  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  marine  barracks,— 
at  the  capitol  hill— and  that  their  **  advance"  was  near  George- 
town.   I  therefore  determined  to  wait  only  until  half  past  8 
o'clock,  to  commence  the  execution  of  my  orders,  becoming  ap- 
prehensive that  captain  Creighton  had,  from  his  long  stay,  tallen 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.    During  this  delay,  I  ordered  a  few 
marines,  and  other  persons  who  were,  then  near  me,  to  go  off  in 
one  of  the  small  gallies,  which  was  done,  and  the  boat  is  saved. 
Colonel  Wharton  had  been  furnished  with  a  light  boat,  with  which 
he  left  the  yard,  probably  between.  7  and  8  irclock.    At  twenty 
minutes  past  8  captain  Creighton  returned ;  he  was  still  extreme- 
ly averse  to  the  destruction  of  the  property,  but  having  informed 
kirn  that  your  orders  tome  were  imperative,  the  proper  disjiosition. 
of  the  boats  being  made,  the  matches  were  applied,  and  m  a  few 
moments  the  whole  was  in  a  state  of  irretrievable  conflagration. 
When  about  leaving  the  wharf  I  observed  the  fire  had  also  com- 
menced at  Qreenlears  point,  and  in  the  way  out  of  the  branch, 
we  observed  the  Capitol  on  fire.    It  had  been  my  intention  not  to 
leave  the  yicinity  ot  th^  yard  with  my  boat  during  the  niekt ;  but 
having  captain  Creighton  and  other  genUemen  with  me,  she  wai 
too  much  encumbereid  and  overladen  to  render  that  deteminatioA 
proper.    We  therefore  proceeded  to  Alexandria,  in  the  vicinity 
of  which  I  rested  till  the  morning  of  the  25th,  when,  having  als* 
refreshed  the  gig'screw,  we  left  Alexandria  at  half  past  7  o'clock, 
and  proceeded  again  up  to  the  yi^rd,  where  I  landed,  unmolested,, 
^at  a  quarter  Mforti|iie. 


W: 


m 


«.r|-: 


...I   \\ 


V. 


1 1 


til 


!* 


ft  !■' .  ''t'  iw 


<:     I 


d!. 


15  >• 

V  1 


ll  lit 


'^Ij 


4M 

Hie  f  chooner  Ljmx  had  laid  alongnde  the  barnipg  Fhaif  ,  ttUI  hi- 
(urt;  hoping,  therefor^,  to  aaye  her« Kre ^ulipd  her  to thequartier 
of  the  hulk  of  the  New  York,  which  had  alio  escaped  the  rair^gea  * 
•f  the  flames.  '  The  detail  issqing  store  of  the  nav^  store  keeper 
bad  remained  safe  from  the  fire  during  the  night,  which  the  enemj* 
(being  in  force  in  the  yard)  about  8  o'clock  set  fire  to^  and  it  was 
»pee<fiiy  consumed.  It  ap^red  that  thejr  had  left  the  yard  about 
lialf  an  hour  when  we  arnved.  I  found  my  dw^isHing  house,  abd 
ihat  of  lieutenant  Haraden,  untouched  by  fire ;  but  some  of  the 

Siople  of  the  neighbouriiood  had  commenced  plundering  theip } 
erefore,  hastily  collecting  a  few  persons  known  to  tne,  I  got 
tome  of  my  most  valuable  materials  moved  to  neighbours'  houses 
out  of  the  yardt  who  tendered  me  tiieir  offers  to  receive  theni,  the 
enemy's  officers  having  declared  private  property  sacred.  Could 
I  have  staid  another  hour,  I  bad  probably  saved  all  my  furniture 
and  stores ;  but  beinc  advised  bjr  some  friends,  that  I  was  not 
safe,  they  believing  uiat  the  admiral  was  bv  that  time,  or  would 
speedilylie  informed  of  my  being  in  the  yard,he  having  expressed 
an  anxious  desire  to  make  me  captive,  but  had  said  that  the  offi^ 
cers'  dwellings  in  the  yard  should  not  be  destroyed.  1  therefore 
again  embarked  in  the  sie,  taking  along  out  of  the  branch  one  of 
the  new  launches,  which  lay  safe,  although  along  side  of  a  floating 
Btage  enveloped  in  flames.  I  had  no  sooner  irane  than  such  a 
scene  of  devastation  and  plunder  took  place  in  tne  houses  (by  the 
people  of  the  neighbourhood,)  as  is  disgraceful  to  relate ;  not  % 
moveable  article,  from  the  cellars  to  the  garrets,  has  been'  left  as, 

Ed  even  some  of  the  fixtures,  and  the  locks  of  the  doors,  have 
en  shamefully  pillaged.  Some  of  the  perpetrators,  however, 
ve  been  made  known  to  me. 

From  the  number  and  movements  of  the  enemy,|t  would  have 
appeared  rash  temerity  to  have  attempted  returning  again^thi^t 
da^,  though  my  inclination  strongly  VLVtMd  it;  therefore, reconnoi- 
tering  tiieir  motions,  as  well  as  could  be  ejected  at  f  convenient 
distance  in  the  gig,  until  evening,  I  agi^n  proceeded  to  Alexandria 
for  the  nig^t.  Yesterday  morning^  the  26th,  it  was  imposuble  to  form 
(from  tiie  various  and  contradictory  reports  at  Alexandria)  any  s<Ni 
of  probable  conjecture,  either  of  the  proceedings  and  situation, of 
our  armv,  or  that  qf  the  enemy.  Determining,  therefore,  to  have  a 

groitive  Knowledge  of  some  pArt  thereof,  'rom  uccular  demonstra- 
on,  I  again  embarked  in  the  pg>  proceeding  with  due  cantion  to 
^e  yaijd,  where  I  learned  with  chagrin  the  dovastation  and  pUlege 
before  mentioned,  and  found  alsoi  to  mj^  sifrprise,  that  the  old  gun 
boat,  which  had  been  loaded  with  provisions,'  and  had  grounml, 
in  endeavouring  to  get  out  qf  the  branch,  on  this-  evening  of  the 
fi4th,  was  neany  discharged  of  her  cargo,  by  a  number  of  our 
people,  withc'it  connexion  with  each  other.  Having  landed  in 
ihe  yflurd,  I  soon  ascertained  that  the  enemjr  had  leftlhe  city,ex- 
ciepting  only  a  Serjeant's  guard,  for  ^e  lecurity  <^  the  upk  and 


IP  it 
HI!  '1  if'u 


# 


405. 

iiro«ade4«  Vinding  it  impracticable  to  atop  the  scene  of  (Aiuider 
'4iat  had  oommenced,  I  determined  iuataiftiy  en  re-possessihg  t^e 
'  jwrd»  with  all  the  force  at  my  command.  Repairing,  therefore,  im- 
QiediatelT  to  Alexaadria,  lieutenant  Haraden,  the  ordinary  men, 
l^ld  the  few  marines  there,  were  ordered  directly  up ;  following 
myaelf,  I  got  full  possession  again  at  evening. 

I  am  now  cdlecting  the  scattered  ]purloined  provisions, 
ready  for  your  orders,  presumins  they  will  now  become  very 
scarce  indeed ;  the  quantity  saved,  you  shall  be  informed  when 
knoWn  w  me.  The  Lynx  i»  safe,  except  her  foremast  being  carried 
away  in  Uie  storm  of  the  25th,  about  4  P.  M.  We  have  also  ano- 
tiier  of  the  gun  boats,  .with  about  100  barrels  of  powder,  and  one 
of  the  large  yard  cutters,  nearly  full,,  with  the  filled  cylinders,  for 
our  different  guns  previously  mounted ;  the  powder  oi  those,  how- 
ever, is  probably  much  wetted  by  the  storm.  I  would  mostwil- 
Kngly  have  an  interview  with  you,  but  deem  it  improper  to  leave 
my  station  without  some  justifiijble  cause,  or  in  pursuance  oi 
your  instructions,  under  which  I  am  ready  to  proceed,  wherever 
my  services  may  be  thought  useful.    . 

I  have. the  honour  to  be,  &c: 

.   THOMAS  TINGEY. 
Hon.  W.  Jonetipecretuy  of  the  Navy. 

Horn.  In  the  nKVy  yud  at  Wulungton,  there  is  an  elegant  Italian  niar> 
Me  akonumen^  erectnl  by  the  oiRcefs  at  the  American  navy,  at  their  own 
experae,  aacredtp  the  memory  of  their  gallant  brethren  who  fell  before  Tri- 
pofi.  T1u4  monument  was  ntutilated  by  the  BrUUh  on  the  35th  of  August  1814. 
£bit. 


•if'!  ,4 


'  14 


J,    I 


SIR, 


FARM  AT  ELK  RIDGE,  August  39th,  1814. 


This  is  the  first  moment  I  have  had  it  m  my  power  to  make  a 
veportof  the  proceedinfp  of  the  forces  under  my  command,  since 
I  had  the  honour  of  seeing  you  at  the  camp  at  the  **  Old  Fields." 
On  die  aitemoon  of  that  day,  we  were  intfirmed  that  the  enemy 
was  advancing  upon  us.  The  army  was  put  under  arms,  and  our 
positions  taken;  my  forces  on  the  right,  flanked  by  the  two  bat- 
nlions  of  the  36th  and  38th,  where  we  remained  some  hours  ; 
tiie  enemy  did  not  make  his  appearance.  A  little  before  sun-set 
l^mtral  Winder  came  to  me^  and  recommended  that  the  heavy;  ar- 
tillery should  be  withdrawn,  with  the  exception  of  one  12  pounder 
to  cover  the  retreat.  We  took  up  our  line  of  inarch,  and  in  the 
nuht  entered  Washington  bpr  the  Eastern  Branch  bridge.  I  march- 
ea  my  men,  &c  to  the  manne'^barracks,  and  took  up  quarters  for 
the  night,  myself  sleeping  at  commodore  Tingey's,  in  the  navy 
yard.  About  2  o^lock  general  Winder  came  to  my  quarters, 
and  we  made  simie  arrangements  for  the  morning.  In  the  morning 
I  received  a  note  from  general  Winded  and  waited  upon  him;  he 


l  ^ 


m 

1 

)    ^i      u^                                  olflH 

1':  i 

m 

.,'F  J. 


I 


40$' 

fequested  me  to  take  cemmand,  and  place  mj  artillerjr  te  defend 
Ihe  passage  of  the  brid^  on  the  Eastern  Branch,  as  the  enemjr 
was  apjnvaching^  the  city  in  that  direction.  I  immediately  put 
my  guns  in  position,  leaving  the  marines  and  the  rest  of  my  men 
at  the  barracks,  to  wait  further  orders.  I  was  in  this  situation 
when  I  had  the  lionour  to  meet  you,  with  tiie  President  and 
heads  of  departments,  when  it  was  determined  that  I  should  draw 
9ir  my  guns  and  men,  and  proceed  towards  Bladensbur^,  which 
was  immediately  put  into  execution.  On  our  way,  I  was  informed" 
the  enemy  was  within  a  mile  of  Bladensburgh  ^— we  hurried  on. 
The  day  wi^  hot,  and  my  men  very  much  crippled  from  the  severe 
marches  we  had  experienced  the  days  befo|re,  many  of  them  being 
without  shoes,  whicn  I  had  replaced  that  morning.  I  preceded  th^ 
men,  and'  when  I  arrived  at  the  line  which  separates  die  district* 
from  Maryland,  the  battle  began.  I  sent  an  o^cer  back  to  hurry 
on  my  men ;  they  came  up  in  a  trot  t  we  took  our  position  on  the 
rising  gro^ind,,put  the  pieces  in  bsttery,  posted  the  marinea  undei>i 
captain  JUUUrt  and  the  flotilla  men,  who  were  to  act  as  infantry* 
under  their  own  officers,  on  my  ri|^t,to  support  the  piecep,  and 
waited  the  ajii>roach  of  the  enemy.  During  this  period  the  en- 
gageroent  continued,  and  the  enemy  advancmg,  our  own  army  re- 
treating  before  them,  apparently  in  much  disonKlr.  At  lengtii 
the  enemy  made  his  appearance  on  the  inain  road,  in  force,  and 
in  front  of  my  battery,  and  oh  seeing  us  made  a  halt  I  reserved 
our  fire.  In  a  few  minutes  the  enemy  again  advanced,  when  I 
ordered  an  18  pounder  to  be  fired,  which  completely  cleared  tiie 
road ;  shortly  arter,  a  second  and  &  third  attempt  mas  made  by  the' 
enemy  to  come  forward,  but  all  were  destroy*^  They  then  cross* 
•d  over  into  an  open  field,  and  attempted  to  flank  our  rig^t ;  he 
was  there  met  by  three  12  ppunders,  the  marines  under  c^itaiit.' 
Miller^  and  my  men,  acting  as  infantry,  and  again  was  totally  cut 
up.  By  this  time  not  a  vestige  of  the  American  army  remained, 
except  a  body  of  five  or  six  nnndred,  posted  on  a  height  on  my 
ri^ht,  from  whom  I  expected  much  support,  from  dieir  fine  situ- 
ation.  « 

The  enemy  from  this  period  never  appeared  in  force  in  froiii' 
of  us;  they  pushed  forward  their  $harp  snooters;  one  of  which 
shot  my  horse  under  me,  who  fell  dead  between  two  of  my  guns.* 
Tlie  enemy,  who  had  been  kept'  in  check  by  our  fire  for  nearly 
half  an  hour,  now  b^n  to  out-flank  us  on  the  righlf;  our  guns 
were  turned  that  way ;  he  pushed  up  the  hill,  about  two  or  mree 
hundred,  towards  the  corps  pf  Americans  stationed  as  above  de« 
scribed,  who,  to  my  ^;reat  mortification,  made  no  resistance,  givmg 
a  fire  or  two  and  retired.  In  this  situation  we  had  the  whole  army 
of  the  enemy  to  contend  with.    Our  ammunition  was  expended' (^' 
and,  unfortunately,  the  drivers  of  my  ammunition  wwons  had 
gone  off  in  the  ^neral  papic.    At  this  time  I  receiveda  severe 
wennd  in  my  thig^  j  captaih  MiUer  was  wounded ;  tailing  muii0 


4oy 

killed ;  attinc  ttiling  master  Martin  killed ;  and  muliac 

laaster  Martin  wounded ;  but  to  the  honour  of  my  officers  ana 
men,  as  fast  as  their  companions  and  mesimates  felf  at  the  guns^ 
thef  were  instantly,  replaced  from  the  infantry. 

Finding  the  enemy  now  completely  in  our  rear,  and  no  means 
of  defence,  I  gave  orders  to  my  officers  and  men  to  retire.  Three 
of  my  officers  assisted  me  to  set  ofTa  short  distance,  bat  the  great 
loss  of  blood  occasioned  such  a  weakness,  th.it  I  was  compelled 
to  lie  down.  I  requested  my  officers  to  leave  me,  which  they  ob- 
stinately  refused ;  out  upon  being  onlerei  they  obeyed,  one  only 
remained.  '  In  a  short  time  I  observed  a  British  soldier,  and  had 
him  called,  and  directed  him  to  seek  an  officer ;  in  a  few  minutes 
an  officer  came,  and  on  leamiiiswho  I  was,  brought  general  Ro$s 
and  admiral  Coekhum  to  me.  Those  officers  behaved  to  me  with 
the  most  marked  attention,  respect  and  politeness,  had  a  surgeon' 
broujB^t,  and  my  wound  dressed  immediately.  After  a  few  min- 
utes conversation,  the  general  informed  me  (after  paying  me  a 
handsome  compliment)  that  I  was  paroled,  and  at  liberty  to  pro- 
ceed to  Washington  or  Bladensburg ;  as  also  Mr.  Huffin^on,  who 
had  remained  with  me,  offering  me  every  assistance  in  his  power, 
living  orders  for  a  litter  to  be  brought,  in  which  I  was  carried  to 
Bladensburg ;  ca]»tain  Wainwright,  first  captain  to  admiral  Coch- 
rane, remuneid  with  me,  and  behaved  to  me  as  if  I  was  a  brother. 
Dunne  the  stay  of  the  enemy  at  Bladensburg,  I  received  every 
markra  attention  possible  from  the  officers  of  the  army  and  navy« 

My  wound  is  deep*  but  I  flatter  myself  not  dangerous ;  the  ball 
is  not  vet  extracted.  I  fondly  hope  a  few  weeks  will  restore  mo 
to  hraith,  and  that  an  exchange  will  take  place,  that  I  may  resume 
my  command,  or  any  other  mat  you  and  the  President  may  think 
proper  to  honour  me  with* 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
JOSHUA  BARNEY. 
Hen.  W.  lonet,  Sscretanr  of  the  Na?7. 


■     r 


PROCLAMATION 

43f  eoUmd  Mehdi  of  the  BrUiah  armvt  to  the  etmthem  and  wed" 
em  tnhabitante  of  the  United  SUUes. 

Natives  ov  Louisiana!  On  you  the  first  call  is  matle,  to  as- 
sist in  liberating  from  a  faithless,  imbecile  government,  your  pa- 
ternal soil;  Spaniards,  Frenchmen,  Italians  and  British,  whether 
setUed,  or  residing  for  a  time  in  Louisiana',  on  you,  also,  I  call,  to 
aid  me  in  tiiis  just  cause ;  the  American  usurpation  in  this  coun- 
try must  be  abolished,  and  the  lawful  owners  of  the  soil  put  io 
possession.  I  am  at  the  head  of  a  larae  body  of  Indians,  well  artn- 
ed,  disciplined^  «nd  cosMntnded  by  BritisH  officers—- a  good  train 


408' 


If  •; 


ill )  *5 
Ilk;  '. 

HI: 


«f  arUilery,  with  ererj  requisite,  seconded  by  the  powerfbl  a!d  ol 
a  numerous  British  and  SpSanish  squadron  of  ships  and  vessels  ot 
war.  Be  not  alarmed,  inhabitants  of  the  country,  at  our  approach ; 
the  same  |^ood/at</k  and  disintere$tediu$St  whicn  has  distinguished 
the  conduct  of  Britons  in  Europe,^  accomnanies  them  here ;  you 
will  have  no  fear  of  litigious  taxes  iroposea  on  you,  for  the  purpose 
of  carrying  on  an  unnatural  and  unjust  war;  your  property,  your 
laws,  tne  peace  and  tranquillity  of  your  country,  will  oe  euaranteed 
to  you  by  men,  who  will  suffer  no  infringement  of  theirs ;  r^ 
assured,  that  these  brave  RED  men  only  burn  with  an  ardent  de- 
fire  of  satisfaction ,  for  the  wrongs  they  have  suffered  from  tiie  Amer- 
icans :  to  join  ^ou  in  liberating  these  southern  provinces  from  their 
joke,  and  dnve  them  into  those  limits  formerly  prescribed  by 
■IT  sovereign.  The  Indians  have  pled^d  themselves,  in  the  most 
solemn  manner,  not  to  injure,  in  the  slightest  degree,  the  persons 
»r  properties  of  any  but  enemies.  A  flag  over  any  doof,  whether 
Spanbh,  French  or  British,  will  be  a  certain  protection ;  nor  dare 
any  Indian  put  his  foot^on  the  threshhold  thereof,  under  penalty 
of  death  firom  his  own  countrymen  ;  not  even  an  enemy  will  an 
Indian  put  to  death,  except  resisting  in  arms:  and  as  for  injuring 
kelpless  women  and  children,  the  red  men,  by  their  cood  conducC 
and  treatment  to  them,  will  (if  it  be  possible)  make  ue  Americana 
blush  for  their  more  inhuman  conduct,  lately  on  the  Escambia,  and 
witiiin  a  neutral  territory. 

Inhabitants  or  Kentucky,  you  have  too  long  borne  withgriet- 
ous  impositions ;  the  whole  brunt  of  the  war  has  fallen  on  your 
bnve  sons ;  be  imposed  on  no  longer,  but  either  range  yourselves 
under  the  standard  of  your  forefatners,  or  observe  a  strict  neutra- 
lity. If  you  comply  with  either  of  these  offers,  whatever  provisions 
you  send  down  will  be  pud  for  in  dollars,  and  the  safety  of  the 
persons  Ininging  it,  as  well  as  the  free  navigation  of  the  Mississippi, 
guaranteed  to  you. 

Men  of  Kentucky,  let  me  call  to^our  view  (and  I  trust  to  ^our 
^abhorrence)  the  conduct  of  those  factions,  which  hurried  you  into 
this  civil,  unjust,  and  unnatural  war,  at  a  time  when  Great  Britain 
was  straining  every  nerve,  in  defence  of  her  own,  and  the  libeities 
of  the  world;  when  the  bravest  of  her  sons  were  fighting  and 
bleediug  in  so  .sacred  a  cause;  when  she  was  spending  millions  of 
her  treasure,  in  endeavouring  to  pull  down  one  of  the  most  formi- 
dable and  dangerous^yrants,  that  ever  disgraced  the  form  of  man ; 
when  groaning  Europe  was  almost  at  her  uist  gasp ;  when  Britons 
alone  showed  an  undaunted  front — basely  did  those  assassins  ^en- 
deavour to  stab  her  from  the  rear ;  she  has  turned  on  them,  reno- 
vated from  tne  bloody  but  successful  struggle,  Europe  is  happy  and 
free,  and  now  hastens,  justly  to  avenge  the  unprovoked  insult 
Bhow  them  that  you  are  not  collective^  unjust;  leave  that  oon- 
TKUPnBi.B  FEW  to  iihift  for  tiiemselves ;  let  those  slaves  of  the  tyrant 
send  aa  embasay  to  Elba,  and  implore  his  aid ;  but  let  ev«ry  honest> 


m  m  ■ 


408 

opriglit  American  spurn  them  with  unittd  contempt.  After  tht 
esperience  of  twentj-one  rean,  can  you  longer  «upport  those 
l^wiert  for  liberty*  who  calf  it  freedom,  when  themoelvra  are  tntf 
Be  no  lon^  tiieir  dupes ;  accept  of  mj  offers ;  ever^  ng  I  havf 
promised  in  this  ptipor,  1  guarantee  to  you,  on  the  sAoaia>  hoxous 
of  a  fimmsH  orrioin. 

Given  under  rov  hand,  at  my  htai  quarUn,  Pensacola,  tldl 
^Othdajof  August,  1814. 

BDWARD  NICHOLS. 


%n\ 


8IR, 


HEAD  QUABTERS,  CAMP  AT  THE  WHITE  HOUSE,  YA. 

September  6ti^  Idl^ 


Yesterday  morning  about  2  o'clock,  the  enemy's  squadron 
discontinued  tlie  bombarament  which  had  been  kept  up  with  littte 
intermission,  for  three  days,  weighed  anchor,  and  stodd  down  the 
fiver,  commencing  a  heavy  lire  on  the  battery,  and  apross  the  neck 
of  land  ^roMch  which  the  militia  were  compelled  to  march  to  its 
assistance.  The  rifle  companies  under  captaws  Humphries,  "il^ebbs 
and  fields^  were  immediately  orda«4  down  to  the  battery,  which 
Orders  wwt  promptiy  obeyed.  I  followed  with  colonel  Parker's 
regiment,  and  two  detachments  under  colonels  Green  and  Renno, 
leaving  instructions  with  general  Toun|^  to  take  a  position  between 
us  and  a  creek,  which  madi|i^p  some  distance  b^ind  so  as  to  pre* 
vent  the  eneiny  falling  on  our  rear,  and  to  cn-operate  with  us,  if 
necessary,  at  the  battery.  When  I  had  proceeded  with  the  ad vancjs 
to  a  point  within  three  of  four  hundred  ysjrds  of  the  river,  the 
troops  were  halted  until  I  could  obtain  accurate  information  id 
the  precise  .  situation  of  the  enemy ;  about  this  time,  commodore 
Porter,  as  I  understood,  finding  our  littie  battery  inefficient  to 
impede  the  pronress  oi  tiic  vessels,  after  hating  long  gallantiy 
detenided  it,  and  considering  a  Ipnger  coptentibn  with  such  a  su- 
periority of  metal  a  wanton  sacrifice  of  blood,  ordered  the  battery 
to  be  evacuated  and  his  men  to  retire,  which  ihey  did.  The  two 
larsett  of  the  enemy's  vessels,  then  anchored}  one  ji^st  above, 
tjaS  the  other  just  faielow  the  battery,  and  commenced  a  most  galL' 
ins  cross  fire  of  round  shot.erape.  canister,  &c.  The  troops  which 
hM  been  previously  ordered  to  shelter  themselves  from  ^e  fire  of 


my  discovered  a  dispdsition  to  land,  and  aid  was  necessary  to 
prevent  their  spiking  our  cannon.  I  again  moved  down  with  tiie 
troops  under  our  command,  coionel  Danserfield  with  his  rt^ment 
being  sent  on  before,  and  had  proceeded  to  a  valley  within  abot|t 
fiHy  yards  «f  the  battery,  when  general  Young  and  myself,  who 
were  following  with  the  residue  of  the  troops,  were  met  by  '■ — 
52 


t,    ■    :i 


^i 


,'^^ 


410 


,  'i_ 


'i'i 


"((        > 


Miodore  Porter,  within  three  or  four  hundred  janti  e#  the  rhier. 
He  thought  that  it  wai  unnecetiarj  to  expose  tiiO  whole  armt, 
and  advised  tiiat  200  men,  which  ne  thousht  anftdent  fov  the 
nurpose,  should  be  sent  down  to  protect  me  batterj.  AH  the 
troops  were  then  ordered  back,  the  detail  made  and  sent  down 
tnder  the  command  of  colonel  Green ;  major  Banks  followed  witii 
800  men,  to  aid,  if  necessary. 

Permit  me  to  say,  that  it  was  impossible  for  men  to  have  con- 
ducted themselves  with  more  intrepidity,  than  the  militia  on  thia 
occasion.  Notwithstanding  the  dreadful  cross  fire  of  every  sjm- 
eies  of  missive,  by  the  enemy,  to  which  they  were  exposed,  with- 
out a  possibility  of  returning  the  fire  (the  most  trying  of  all  situa- 
idons)  not  a  man  under  my  comaiand  offered  to  move,  until  wdera 
to  that  effect  was  given ;  and  then  it  was  donti  slowly  and  in  order. 
I  bee  leave  also,  to  mention  the  promptitude  and  alacrity  with 
which  the  second  order  to  march  mroug^  a  trcfnendous  discharge 
of  large  shot  and  grape,  for  the  distance  of  about  a  mile,  was  im- 
mediately obeyed.  Captain  Humphries,  with  his  ri^e  company, 
was  stationed  just  above  the  battery,  and  is  entitled  U*  the  highest 
eommendation  for  the  courase  and  activity  with  whi«i:h  he  fought. 
Captain  Griffith,  of  Alexandria,  was  under  the  iirmediate  direc- 
tion of  commodore  Porter,  who  spoke  of  him  in  the  highest  terms 
of  approbation.  Captain  Janney,  of  Essex,  was  near  Uie  battery 
at  the  time  of  the  action,  with  a  fatigue  party  of  fifty  or  sixty 
men,  and  deserves  to  be  particutaily  mentioned.  CKir  whote 
loss  was  eleven  killed,  and  seventeerf^r  eighteen  wounded 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c    ' 
JOHI'T  p.  HUNGBRFORD, 

Bti^.  Gen.  rirginia  milUiM, 
IlQfk  Jsmes  Monroe. 


BATTLE  ON  LAKE  CHAMPLAIN. 

U.  8.  SHIP  SARATOGA,  OFF  PLATT8BURGH, 

September  Itth,  1814* 

ttR. 

T^e  Almwhty  has  been  pleased  to  grant  us  a  signal  victoiy 
«n  lake  Champlain,  in  the  capture  of  one  frigate,  one  brig,  and 
two  aloops  of  war  of  the  enemy. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

T.  MACDONOUGH.. 

HonounUe  William  Jone% 

Secretuy  of  the  Na^.  . 


# 


THE  AVON  SUNK  BY  THE  WASP. 

UNITED  STATE®*  SLOOP  WASP,  AT  SEA, 

September  lltb,  l8l4.-4atitDde  40  N.  longitude  16  W. 

sm. 

After  a  protracted  and  tedious  stay  at  L'Ori^nt,  I  had  at 
list  the  pleasure  of  leaving  that  place  on  Saturday  the  27th  ef 


"t 


^i"^ 


411 


of  Augvtt.  On  the  30th,  captured  the  British  brig  Lettice. 
Heni^jr  Cockbum,  master;  and  31tt  August,  the  British  brw 
Bon  Accord,  Adam  Durno,  master.  On  the  morning  of  the  1st 
September,  discovered  a  convoT  of  ten  sail  at  leeward,  in  chargi 
of  the  Armada  74,  and  a  bomb  snip ;  stood  for  them  and  succeeded 
in  cutting  out  the  Bntish  brig  Mary,  John  D.  Allen,  master,  laden 
with  brass  cannon  taken  from  the  Spaniardi,  iron  cannon  and 
military  stores  from  Gibraltar  to  England,  removed  the  prisionert 
set  her  on  fire  and  endeavoured  to  capture  another  or  tiie  con- 
voy, but  was  chased  oflTb^  the  Armada.  On  the  evening  of  the 
same  day  at  i  past  6,  while  going  free,  discovered  four  vesseli 
nearly  at  the  same  time,  two  on  the  starboard,  and  two  on  the 
larboard  bow,  being  the  farthest  to  windward.  At  7  the  chase 
(a  brig^  commenced  making  sij|;nals  with  flags,  which  could  not 
be  dis^ngttished  for  want  of  light,  and  soon  after  made  varioui 
ones  with  lantherns,  rockets  and  guns.  At  26  minutes  atter  9, 
having  the  chase  under  our  lee  bow,  the  12  pound  carronade  was 
directed  to  be  fired  into  him,  which  he  returned }  ran  under  hie 
lee  to  {prevent  his  escapins,  and  at  20  minutes  after  9  commenced 
the  action.  At  10  o'clock  believing  the  enemy  to  be  silenced, 
orders  were  given  to  cease  firing,  when  I  hailed  and  asked  if  he 
had  surrendered.  No  answer  being  g^ven  to  this,  and  his  fire  having 
re>eomm^nced,  it  was  again  returned.  At  12  minutes  after  10, 
the  enemy  haviuK  suffered  greatly  and  having  made  no  return  to 
our  two  last  broadsides,  I  hailed  nim  the  second  time  to  know  if 
he  had  surrendered,  when  he  answered  in  the  affirmative.  The  . 
guns  were  then  ordered  to  be  secured  and  the  boat  lowered  to  take 

Sossession.  In  the  act  of  lowering  the  boat,  a  second  brig  wae 
iscovered,  a  little  distance  astern  and  standing  for  us.  Sent  the 
crew  to  their  quarters,  prepared  every  thing  for  another  action, 
and  wuted  his  coming  up--at  36  minutes  after  10,  discovered  twe 
more  sail  astern  standing  towards  ut.    I  now  felt  myself  com* 

Celled  to  forego  the  satisfaction  of  destroving  the  prize.  Our 
races  having  been  cut  away,  we  kept  off  the  wind  until  others 
could  be  rove,  and  with  the  expectation  of  drawing  the  second  brig 
from  his  eompanions,  but  in  this  last  we  were  disappointed.  The 
Second  brig  continued  to  approach  us  until  she  came  close  to  our 
item,  when  she  hauled  by  the  wind,  fired  her  broadside  which  cut 
our  rining  and  sails  considerably,  and  shot  away  a  lower  main 
cross  tree,  and  retraced  her  steps  to  join  her  consorts ;  when  w^ 
were  necessitated  to  abandon  the  nrize,  he  appeared  in  every  re^^ 
spect  a  total  wreck.  He  continuea  for  some  time  firing  guns  of 
distress  until  probably  delivered  hj  the  two  last  vessels  who  made 
their  appearance.  The  second  brig  could  have  engaged  us  if  he 
had  thought  proper,  as  he  neared  us  fast,  but  contented  himself 
with  firing  a  Broadside,  and  immediately  returned  to  his  compa- 
nions. 

It  is  with  real  satisfaction  I  have  again  the  pleasure  of  bearing 
testiinony  to  the  merits  of  lientenaate  Reily,  TiUingjhast,  Berry 


t  •■."1 

Hi'' 


i 


.      I' 


mri^ 


A^^ 


t  ::  ! 


rfT 

■I[f 

■1 

!*■ 

i  ^  '-  ■■'          [ 

1.; 

11 


{« 


^«! 


I'  J.     i 
I    .     >V 


1,1: 


0 


4M 

Mkl  tailiiig  matter  Ctir :  and  to  the  ^eed  condeet  ofererj  eflcer 
•nd  men  un  board  the  Waip.  Their  divitiont  and  departmeitt 
were  attended  and  supplied  with  theutmott  regularity  and  abund- 
^ice,  which,  with  the  Kood  order  maintained,  together  with  the  v\' 

i^'tjr  and  precision  or  their  fire,  reflects  on  them  the  createst  cre- 

i    Our  loss  is  two  killed,  and  one  sHghtljr  wounded  with  a  wad. 

in  hall  received  four  round  shot,  and  the  fore-mast  manj  grape 
tk^t.  Our  rinina;  and  sails  suffered  a  great  deal.  Every  damage 
las  been  repairecTthe  day  after,  with  the  exception  of  our  sails.  ^ 

Of  the  vessel  with  whom  we  were  engaged,  nothing  positive  caa 
be  said  with  renrd  to  her  name  or  force.  While  hailing  kirn, 
previoua  to  his  being  fired  into,  it  was  blowing  fresh  (then  coing 
ten  knots)  and  the  name  was  not  distinctiv  understood.  (H  her 
forje,  the  four  shot  which  ttruek  us,  are  all  thirty-two  pounds  in 
weight,  being  a  pound  and  three  quarters  heavier  than  any  belong* 
hie  to  this  vetisel.  From  this  -circumstance,  the  number  of  men 
in  ner  tops,  her  general  appearance  and  great  length,  she  is  belier- 
•d  to  be  one  of  uie  largest  briss  in  the  British  navy. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be.  Ice. 

J.  BLAKELT. 
Bo».  YTm.  Jonca^  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

P.  8.  I  am  told  the  enemy,  after  his  surrender,  asked  for  assiat* 
oce,  and  said  he  was  sinking;.  The  probability  of  this  is  confim* 
ed  by  his  firing  sin^I:  guns  tor  some  time  after  his  cutture. 

Tne  action  took  place  in  latitude  47  30  north,  longitude  tl 
west. 

IA$t  of  killed  mud  wounded  on  hoard  the  United  StaUe*  doop  of 
war,  yrasp,  Johneton  Blakeljf,e»qttirep  eommander,in  the  action 
with  his  Srittmnic  majesty*i  aXmp  of  war  ,  on  the  lit 

September,  1814. 

KiLLBD— Joseph  Martin,  boatswain ;  Henry  Staples,  quarter 
gunner.  Wovndsd— James  Snellings,  seaman,  collar  bone  frac- 
tured by  a  wad. 

Reoapitulatiok — Killed,  2 ;  wounded,  1.    Total,  S. 

WM.  M.  CLARKE,  Burgeon, 

It  was  afterwards  ascertained  that  the  prize,  the  name  and  force 
•f  which,  captain  Blakely  could  not  obtain,  was  the*  British  brig 
•f  war  Avon»  captain  Arbnthnot,  of  the  same  number  of  guns  as 
the  Reindeer.  She  sunk  immediately  after  the  Castilion  which 
chased  the  Wasp,  had  taken  out  her  last  man. 

From  the  enemy's  account  it  appeared  that  her  captain  was 
wounded  in  both  legs,  her  first  lieutenant  and  eight  men  killed, 
ind  the  second  lieutenant,  one  midshipman,  and  31  men  wounded. 

After  repairing  damages/ the  Wasp  continued  her  cruize,  and 
«&  the  £tst  of  September,  she  captured,  fM  the  Madeiras,  her 
tinrtienth  prise,  the  British  brig  Atalanta,  of  eight  guns.    Thin 


4t5 

f  ttiffl  trrif  dl  %t  RaYannah  in  the  beginning  of  November  follow- 
ing, with  dotpatchet  from  captain  Blalccly,  and  under  the  co»- 
■und  of  Mr.  Qeisinger  of  the  \Vaip. 


■1% 

,1)' 
r 


« 


c. 


U.  B.  SHIP  SARATOGA,  PLATTSBUROII  BAY, 

September  13th,  1814. 

MR. 

I  haTe  the  honour  to  giTe  yen  the  particulars  of  the  action 
which  took  place  on  the  lith  inatant,  on  thia  \»kt. 

For  several  dajs,  the  enemj  were  on  their  way  to  Plattsburgh  by 
land  and  water,  and  it  being  well  understood  that  an  attack  would 
be  made  at  tiie  same  time,  ny  their  land  and  naval  forces,  I  de- 
termined to  await,  at  anchor,  the  approach  of  the  latter^ 

At  eight  A.  M.  the  look-out  boat  announced  the  approach  of 
the  enemy.    At  nine,  he  anchored  in  a  line  ahead,  at  about  300 

^ards  distance  from  my  line ;  his  ship  opposed  the  Sarato^,  his 
rig  to  the  Bagle,  captain  Robert  Henley ;  his  gallies,  thirteen 
in  number,  to  the  schooner,  sloop,  and  a  division  of  our  gallies ; 
one,  of  his  sloops  assisting  their  ship  and  brig,  the  other  assisting 
their  gallies.  Our  remaining  gallies  widi  the  Saratoga  and  Eagle. 
In  niis  situation,  the  whole  force  on  both  sides,  became  enga^d* 
the  Saratoga  suffering  much,  from  the  heavy  fire  of  the  Confi- 
ance.  I  could  perceive  at  tiie  same  time,  however,  that  our  fire 
was  very  destructive  to  her.  Hie  Ticonderoga,  lieutenant  com- 
mandant Cassin,  gallantly  sustained  her  full  share  of  the  action. 
At  half  past  10  o'clock,  uie  Eagle  not  being  able  to  bring  her  guns* 
to  bear,  cut  her  cable,  and  anchored  in  a  more  eligible  poaition,  be- 
tween my  ship  and  the  Ticonderoga,  where  she  very  much  annoyed 
the  enemy,  but  unfortunately,  leaving  me  exposed  to  a  galling  fire 
from  the  enemy's  brig.  Our  guns  on  the  starboard  side  being 
nearly  all  dismounted,  or  not  manageable,  a  stem  anchor  was  let 
go,  the  bower  cut,  and  the  ahip  winded  with  a  fresh  broadside  on 
the  enemy's  ship,  which  soon  after  surrendered.  Our  broadside 
was  then  sprung  to  bear  on  the  brig,  which  surrendered  in  about 
15  minutes  after. 

The  sloop  that  was  opposed  to  the  Eagle,  had  struck  some  time 
before,  and  drifted  down  the  line ;  the  sloop  which  was  with  their 
gallies  having  struck  also.  Three  of  their  gallies  are  said  to  be 
sunk,  die  others  pulled  off.  Our  gallies  were  about  obeying  with 
alacrity,  the  signal  to  follow  them,  when  all  the  vessels  were  re- 
ported to  me  to  be  in  a  sinking  state ;  it  then  became  necessary 
to  annul  the  aijmal  to  the  gallies,  and  order  their  men  to  the 
pumps.  I  could  only  look  at  the  enemy's  gallies  going  off  in  a 
shattered  condition,  for  there  was  not  a  mast  in  either  squadron 
that  could  stand  to  make  sail  on ;  the  lower  rigging  being  nearly 
shot  away,  hung  doWn  as  though  it  had  been  just  placed  ever  mast 


% 

■  ! 

f 


f 


I 


"I  r 


r 


•V 


m 


ft  :■ 


I  'i 


li  .  'i; 


414 

Hie  Saratoga  had  55  round  shot  in  her  hull,  the  Confiance  105. 
The  enemy's  shot  passed  principally  just  over  our  heads,  as  there 
were  not  20  whole  hammocks  in  the  nettings  at  the  close  of  the 
action,  which  lasted,  without  intermission,  two  hours  and  twenty 
minutes. 

The  absence  and  sickness^  of  lieutenant  Raymond  Perry,  left 
me  without  th<»  services  of  tliat  excellent  officer ;  much  oug^t 
fairly  to  be  attributed  to  him  for  his  great  care  and  attention  in 
disciplining  the  ship's  crew,  as  her  first  lieutenant.  His  place  was 
filled  by  a  gallant  young  officer,  lieutenent  Peter  Gamble,  who  I 
regret  to  inform,  you,  was  killed  early  in  the  action.  Acting; 
lieutenant  Vallette  worked  the  1st  and  2d  division  of  guns  with 
able  effect.  Sailine  master  Brum's  attention  to  the  springs,  and  ia 
the  execution  of  the  order  to  wind  the  ship,  and  occasionally  at  the 

Suns,  met  n^^  entire^  approbation :  also  captain  Youd^,  comman- 
ing  the  acting  marines,  who  took  his  men  to  the  guns.  Mr  Beale. 
purser,  was  of  great  service  at  the  guns,  and  in  carrying  my  or- 
ders throughout  the  ship,  with  midshipmen  Montgomery.  Mas- 
ter's mate,  Joshua  Justin,  had  command  of  tiie  3d  division  ;  hit 
conduct  during  the  action,  was  that  of  a  brave  officer.  Midship- 
men Monteath,  Graham,  Williamson^  Piatt,  Thwing,  and  act-  ^ 
ing  midshipman  Baldwin,  all  behaved  well,  and  gave  evidence  of' 
their  makine  valuable  officers.  The  Saratoga  was  twice  set  on 
f  re,  by  hot  shot  from  the  enemy's  ship. 

I  cfoie,  sir,  this  communication,  with  feelings  of  gratitude,  for 
the  able  support  I  received  from  every  officer  and  man  attached 
to  the  squaaron  which  I  have  the  honour  to  command. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

T.  MACDONOUGH. 

Honourable  William  Jones, 

Secretuy  of  the  Navy. 


1/  =  ^ 


IJi 


UNITED  STATES'  SHIP  SARATOGA, 

.  September  13^  1814. 

SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  inclose  to  you  a  list  of  the  lulled  and 
wounded  on  board  the  different  vessels  of  the  squadron  under 
your  command  in  the  action  of  the  Utii  instant  It  is  impossible 
to  ascertain  correctly  that  of  the  enemy.  From  the  best  infor- 
mation received  from  the  British  officers,  from  my  own  observa- 
tions and  from  various  lists  found  on  board  the  Confiance,  I  calcu- 
late the  number  of  men  on  board  that  ship,  at  the  commencement 
of  the  %ction,  at  STO,  of  whom  at  least  180  were  killed  and  woun- 
ded, and  on  board  the  other  captured  vessels,  at  leat  80  more, 
making  in  the  whole,  killed  and  wounded  260.  This  is,  doabtless, 
short  of  the  real  number,  as  many  were  thrown  ov«lNMurd  from 
Dm  Confiance,  duriog  the  engagement    The  master  books  must 


ifiance  105. 
ds,  as  there 
close  of  the 
and  twenty 

1  Perry,  left 
much  ou^t 
attention  in 
is  place  was 
imble,  who  I 
ion.    Actinc 
»f  guns  with 
rings,  and  in 
lonallyat  the 
gs,  comman- 
s.  MrBeale, 
rying  mv  or- 
niery.    Mas- 
division  ;  hie 
r.    Midship- 
ring,  and  act-  ^ 
e  evidence  of 
twice  set  on 

rratitttde,  for 
Dum  attached 
1. 

40UGH. 


*OGA, 
IStb,  1814. 

he  lulled  and 
uadron  under 
is  impMsibl*^ 
le  best  infer-' 
own  obser^a* 
ance,lcalcu-' 
»mmencement 
ed  and  woun- 
leat  80  more. 
i8,doabtle8S» 
rerboardfrom 
Br  books  must 


418 

bare  been  thrown  OTerboard,  or  otherwise  disposed  of,  as  theyai^ 
not  to  be  found. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

GEORGE  BEALE,  Jr.  Purser* 
trhoQUM  Macdonougfa,  Eaqr. 

^  comparative  view  of  the  forces  and  lo88» 

Bbitihb— No.  of  guns  95  ;  men  1050— killed  <>4:  wounded  110, 
AvsBicAir — ^No.  m  guns  86  ;  men  820 — ^killed  52 ;  wounded  58. 


V.  8.  SHIP  SARATOGA,  OFF  PL  ATTSBURGH, 

September  13th,  1814 
DEAR  SIR, 

Enclosed  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  captaiii  White  Youngs, 
and  a  list  of  killed  anfl  wounded  attached  to  his  command.  I 
beg  leave  to  recommend  captain  Youngs  to  your  particular  nor 
tice ;  during  the  action,  his  conduct  was  such  as  to  meet  with  my 
warmest  approbation.  I  feel  much  indebted  to  him  for  his  persoipal* 
▼alor  and  example  of  coolness  and  intrepiditjr  to  his  own  men,  as 
well  as  to  the  sailors.  He  volunteered  in  a  sinking  boat,  to  carry 
my  order  to  the  gallies  for  close  action,  in  the  hottest  part  of  it ; 
and  supplied  the  guns  with  his  men  as  fast  as  the  sailors  were 
disabled. 

'  I  am,  with  much  respecV  &c. 

T.  MACDONOUGH. 
Brigadier  genend  Maownb. 


SIR» 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  PLATTSBURGH,  September  15th,  1814. 


I  have  the  honour  to  communicate  for  the  information  of  the 
war  dejMrtment,  the  particulars  of  the  advance  of  the  enemy  into 
the  territorr  ofMie  United  States,  the  circumstances  attending  the 
siege  of  PlattsDuigh,  and  the  defence  of  the  posts  entrusted  to 
my  charge. 

The  governor  seneral  of  the  Canadas,  sir  George  Prevost, 
having  collected  all  the  disposable  force  of  Lower  Canada,  witii 
a  view  of  conquering  the  country  as  far  as  Crown  Point  and  Ti- 
conderoga,  entered  the  territories  of  the  United  States  on  the 
first  of  uiemonth^and  occupied  the  village  of  Chaniplain,  there 
avowed  his  intentions,  and  issued  orders  and  j^roclamations  tend- 
ing to  dissuade  tlie  people  from  their  allegiance,  and  inviting 
them  to  furnish  his  army  .with  provisions.  He  immediately  began 
to  press  the  wi»ons  and  teams  in  the  vicinity,  and  loaded  them 
wiu  his  heavy  baggage  and  stores.  From  this  I  was  persuaded 
he  intended  to  attack  this  place.  I  had  but  just  returned  from 
the  lines,  where  I  had  commanded  a  fine  brigade,  which  was 
Itrokeo  to  form  the  diviiaon  onder  major  general  Izard»  wdered 


/.-■^ 


ifl.M 


■  ;     i! 

•  1  i:; 

Hi 


to  tiie  wegtward.  Being  senior  officer  he  left  me  in  command* 
and  except  the  four  companies  of  the  sixth  regiment,  I  had  not 
an  organized  battalion  among  those  remaining.  The  garrison 
Vfti9  composed  of  convalescents  and  recruits  of  the  new  regi- 
ments,—all  in  the  greatest  confusion,  as  well  as  the  ordnance  and 
stores,  and  the  works  in  no  state  of  defence. 

To  create  an  emnlation  and  zeal  among  the  officers  and  men  in 
completing  the  works,  I  divided  them  into  detachments,  and 
placed  them  near  the  several  forts:  declaring  in  orders,  that  each 
detachment  was  the  garrison  of  its  own  work,  and  bound  to  de- 
fend it  to  the  last  extremity.  The  enemy  advanced  cautiously  and 
bv  short  marches,  and  our  soldiers  worked  day  aiid  night ;  so 
that  by  the  tine  he  made  his  appearance  before  this  place  we  were 
prepared  to  receive  him. 

General  Izard  named  the  principal  work  Fort  MoreaUt  and  to 
remind  the  troops  of  the  actions  of  their  brave  countrymen,  I 
called  the  redoubt  on  the  ri^t  Fort  Brown,  and  that  on  the  left 
Fort  Scott.  Besides  these  three  works,  we  have  two  block- 
houses strongly  fortified. 

Ff  udiog  on  examining  the  returns  of  the  garrison,  that  our  force 
did  not  exceed  fifteen  hundred  effective  men  for  duty,  and  well  in- 
formed that  tlie  enemy  had  as  many  thousands,  I  called  on  gene- 
ral Mnoers,  of  the  New  York  militia,  and  arranged  with  him  plans 
for  bringing  forth  the  militia  en  masse.  The  inhabitants  of  tli«l 
village  flea  with  their  families  and  effects,  except  a  few  wortiiy 
citizens  and  some  boys,  who  formed  themselves  into  a  party,  re- 
ceived rifles,  and  were  exceedingly  useful.  B;^  the  4th  of  the 
month,  general  Mooers  collected  abiout  700  militia,  and  advanced 
seven  miles  on  the  Beekman  town  road,  to  watch  the  motions  of 
the  enemy,  and  to  skirmish  with  him  as  he  advanced ;  also  to  ob<^ 
struct  the  roads  with  fallen  trees,  and  to  break  up  the  bridges.- 

On  the  Lake  road,  at  Deer  Creek  bridge,  I  posted  2(K)  men 
under  captain  Sproul,  of  the  13th  regiment,  with  orders  to  abattis 
the  woods,  to  place  obstruetions  in  the  road,  and  to  fortify  himself; 
to  this  party,  I  added  two  field  pieces.  In  advance  of  that  posi- 
tion, was  lieutenant  colonel  Appling,  with  110  riflemen,  watcning 
the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  procuring  intelligence.  It  was 
ascertuined,  that  before  diy-Iight  on  the  oth,  the  enemy  would 
advance  in  two  columns,  on  the  two  roads  before  mentioned,  di- 
viding at  Sampson's,  a  little  below  Chazy  village.  The  column 
on  the  Beekman  town  road,  proceeded  most  rapidly;  the  militia 
fiki'-mished  with  his  advanced  parties,  and,  except  a  few  brave 
men,  fell  back  most  precipitatelv  in  the  greatest  disorder,  not- 
withstanding the  British  troops  did  not  deign  to  fire  on  them,  ex- 
cept by  their  flankers  ai()d  advanced  patroles.  The  nig^t  previous, 
I  ordered  major  Wool  to  advance  with  a  detachment  of  250  men, 
to  su pport  the  militia,  and  set  them  an  example  of  finnness.  Also 
captain  Leonard,  of  the  light  artillery,  was  directed  to  proceed 
mih  two  pieces,  to  be  on  the  ground  before  day;  yet  he  did 


417 

not  make  his  appearance  ^before  8  o'clock,  when  the  epemy  had 
approached  within  two  miles  of  the  village. '  With  his  conduct, 
therefore,  I  am  not  well  pleased.  Major  Wool,  with  his  partj, 
disputed  the  road  with  great  obstinacy,  but  the  militia  could  not 
be  prevailed  on  to  stand,  notwithstanding  the  exertions  of  theif 
general  and  staff  officers ;  although  the  fields  were  divided  by 
strong  stone  walls,  and  they  were  told  that  the  enemy  could  not 
possibly  cut  them  off.  The  state  dragoons  of  New  York  wear 
red  coats,  and  they  bein^  on  the  heights  to  watch  the  enemy,  gave 
constant  alarm  to  the  militia,  who  mistook  them  for  the  enemy,' '. 
and  feared  his  getting  in  their  rear.  Finding  the  enemy's  columna 
had  penetrated  within  a  m'ile  of  Plattsburgh,  I  despatched  my 
aid-de-camp,  lieutenant  Boot,  to  bring  off  the  detachment  at  Dead 
Creek,  and  to  inform  lieutenant  coUtnel  Appling  ^at  I  wished 
him  to  fall  on  the  'enemy's  right  flank.  The  colonel  fortunately 
arrived  just  in  time  to  save  his  retreat,  and  to  fall  in  with  the 
head  of  a  column  debotuhing  from  ihe  woods.  Here  he  poured  iii 
a  destructive  fire  from  his  rif  emen  at  rest,  and  continued  to  annoy 
the  column  until  he  formed  a  junction  with  major  Wool.  The 
field  pieces  did  considerable  execution  among  the  enemy's  co- 
lumns. 80  undaunted,  however,  was  the  nemy,  that  he  never 
deployed  in  his  whole  marchr  always  pressing  on  in  colunin.  Find- 
ing tKat  every  road  was  full  of  troops  crowding  oh  us  on  lill  sides, 
1  ordered  the  field  pieces  to  retire  across  the  bridge  and  form  a 
battery  for  its  protection,  and  to  cover  the  retreat  of  the  infantry, 
which  was  accordingly  done,  and  the  parties  of  ^ppling^  and  Wom, 
as  well  as  that  of  i^oul,  retired  alternately,  keeping  up  a  brif  k 
fire  until  they  eut  under  cover  of  the  works.  The  enemy's  light 
troops  occupied  the  houses  near  the  bridge,  and  kept  up  a  constant 
firing  from  the  windows  and  balconies,  and  annoyed  us  much.  I 
ordered  them  to  be  driven .  out  with  hot  shot,  which  soon  put  th^ 
houses  in  flames,  and  obUged  these  sharp  shooters  to  retire.  The 
whole  day,  until  it  was  too  late  to  see,  the  enemy's  light  troops 
endeavoured  to  drive  our  guards  from  the  bridge,  but  thev  suffered 
dearly  for  their  perseverance.  An  atteiilpt  was  also  made  to  cross 
the  upper  bridge,  where  the  militia  handsomely  drove  them  back. 
Hie  coldmn  which  inarched  by  the  Lake  road,  was  much  impeded 
by  the  obstructions  and  the  removal  of  the  brid;^  at  Dead  creek, 
and,  as  it  passed  the  creek  and  beach,  the  gallies  kept  una  lively 
and  galling  fire.  Our  troops  being  now  all  on  the  south  side  of 
tiie  miraiiac,  I  ctirected  the  planks  to  be  taken  off  the  brii^jlgita  and 
piled  up  in  tiie  form  of  breastV'Orks  to  cover  our  parties  intended 
for  disputii^  tiie  passage,  which  afterwards  enabled  us  to  hold  th» 
bridges  against  very  superior  numbers. 

From  tiie  7tii  to  the  11th,  me  enemy  was  employed  in  getting 
on  his  battering  train,  and  erecting  his  batteries  and  approaches, 
and  constantly  skirmiflliing  at  the  bridges  and  fords.  By  this  time, 
the  militia  ot  New  York,  and  the  volahteers  of  Vermont,  were 
v^raring  in  from  all  quar^rs*    I  advbed  general  Mooers  to  keep 

5S 


• 


.1: 


.  - 1 

Ik   t 


<   "  .», 


Ibis  force  along  the  Saninac,  to  prevent  the  enemy's  crossing^  dis 
riTer,  and  to  send  a  strong  body  in  his  reai-  to  harass  him  day  and 
tuffht,  and  keep  him  in  continual  alarm*.  The  militia  behaved 
with  great  spirit  after  the  first  day,  and  the  volunteers  of  Vermont 
were  exceeoingly  serviceable.  Our  regular  troops,  notwithstand- 
ing the  constant  skirmishing  and  repeated  endeavours  of  the  ene- 
my to  cross  the  river,  kept  at  their  work  day  and  night  strength- 
ening the  defences,  and  evinced  a  determmation  to  hold  out  to  the 
last  extremity. 

It  was  reported  that  the  enemy  had  only  waited  the  arrival  of 
his  flotilla,  to  make  a  general  attack.  About  eight  in  the  morning 
of  the  11th,  as  was  expected,  the  flotilla  appeared  in  sight  round 
Cumberland  Head,  and  at  nine,  bore  down  and  engaged  our  flo- 
tilla at  anchor  in  the  bay  off  the  town.  At  the  same  instant,  the 
batteries  were  opened  on  us,  and  continued  throwing  bomb  shells, 
shrapnels,  balls,  and  congreve  rockets  until  sun-set,  when  the 
bombardment  ceased,  every  battery  of  the  enemy  beink'  silenced 
by  the  superiority  of  our  fire.  The  naval  engagement  Msted  but 
two  hours,  in  full  view  of  both  armies.  Tliree  efforts  were  madift 
by  the  eneiny  to  pass  the  river  at  the  commencement  of  th% 
cannonade  iind  bombardment,  with  a  view  of  assaulting  the  Workf. 
and  had  prepared  for  that  purpose  an  immense  number  of  scaling 
ladders.  One  attempt  to  cross  was  made  at  the  village  bridge^ 
anotiier  at  the  upper  bridge,  and  a  third  at  a  ford  about  three 
miles  from  the  works.  At  the  two  first,  he  was  repulsed  by  the 
regulars;  at  the  ford,  by  the  brave  volunteers  and  militia,  where 
he  suffered  severely  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners ;  a  conn- 
derable  body  having  crossed  the  stream,  but  were  either  killed^ 
taken,  or  dmren  back.  The  woods  at  this  place  were  very  favour- 
able to  the  operations  of  the  militia.  A  whole  company  of  the 
76th  re^ment  was  here  destroyed,  the  three  lieutenants  and  27 
men  prisoners,  the  captain  and  the  rept  killed. 

I  cannot  fok<^  sne  pleasure  of  here  stating  the  gallant 
conduct  (tf  captain  M*6iassin  of  the  15th  regiment,  who  iraa 
ordered  to  tbrd  tiie  river,  and  attack  a  party  constructing  a  battery 
on  the  rig^t  of  the  enemy's  line«  within  five  hundred  yards  of  fort 
Brown,  which  hd*  handsomely  executed  at  nudnight  with  fifty 
men ;  drove  off  the  working  P^J  consisting  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty,  and  defeated  a  covenng  party  of  the  same  number,  killing 
OLO  officer  and  six  men  in  the  bharge  and  wounding  many.  At 
dusk  the  enemy  withdrew  hig  artillery  from  the  mtteries,  and 
raised  the  sicuie;  at-  nine,  under  cover  of  the  night,  sent  off  in  a 
mreat  hurry  afl  the  baggage  he  could  find  transport  for,  and  also 
bis  artillery.  At  two  next  morning  the  whole  army  precipi- 
tately retreated,  ieaving  the  sick  anawounded  to  our  generosity, 
snd  me  governor  left  a  note  with  a  surgeon  reqnesting  the  humfob 
mttention  of  the  commandinjg;  general. 

Vast  quantities  of  provisions  were  left  behind  and  dettrojed, 
alio  an  iittnente  quantity  of  boiabthelli^  cannos  baHi ,  grape  tnot, 


419 


ammumtion,  flints*  &c.  &c.  intrenching  tools  of  all  sorts,  also  tenia 
and  marquees.  A  great  deal  has  been  found  concealed  in  the 
ponds  and  creeks,  and  buried  in  the  ground,  and  a  vast  quanti^ 
carried  off  by  tiie  inhabitants.  Such  was  the  precipitiincy  of  hia 
retreat,  that  he  arrived  at  Cbazy,  a  distance  of  eight  miles,  before 
we  discovered  he  had  gone.  The  li^t  troops,  volunteers  and 
militia  pursued  immediately  on  learning  of  his  fli^t ;  and  some 
of  the  mounted  men  made  prisoners  five  dragoons  of  ^e  19th 
regiment,  and  several  others  of  the  rear  guard.  A  continual  fall 
of  rain  and  a  violent  storm  prevented  further  pursuit  Upwards 
of  300  deserters  have  come  in,  and  many  are  hourlv  arriving.  We 
have  buried  tiie  British  officers  of  the  army  andi  navy  witii  the 
Ihionours  of  war,  and  shown  every  attention  and  kindness  to  those 
who  have  fallen  into  our  hands. 

The  conduct  of  the  officers,  non-commissioned  officers,  and 
soldiers  of  my  command,  during  this  trying  occasion,  cannot  be 
represented  in  too  high  terms,  and  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  recommend 
to  the  particular  notice  of  government,  lieutenant  colonel  Appling 
of  the  1st  rifle  corps,  major  Wool  of  the  29th,  muor  Totten  n 
the  corps  of  engineers,  captain  Brooks  of  the  artillery,  captain 
H*Glassiir  of  the  15th,  lieutenants  De  Russy  and  Trescott  of  the 
corps  of  engineers,  lieutenants  Smyth,  Mountford,  and  Cromwell 
of  the  artillery,  also  my  aid-de-camp  lieutenant  Root,  who  have 
all  distini^imed  themselves  by  their  uncommon  zeal  and  activity, 
and  have  been  greatly  instrumental  in  producing  the  happy  and 
glorious  result  of  the  siege. 

J'  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ALEXANDER  MACOMB. 
The  Secntaiy  of  Wtf. 

The  toss  of  the  enemy  in  killed,  wounded,  prisoners  and'desert- 
ers,  since  his  first  appearance,  cannot  fall  short  of  2500,  in  clud- 
ins  inftny  officers,  among  whom,  is  colonel  Wellington  of  the 
bttlpi.    '  '% 

Jbwori  of  the  kiiUd,  uminded  and  misting  at  PlatUburgh,fi'Cln 

.  themto^llihof  September,  1814. 

'*  .         • 

l^oa-eommissioBed  officers  and  privates,  killed— 37 
I-  wounded— 6S 

I-  ^  misting— 20 


-119 


Commietiainei  C^jken. 

lit  lievteiwAt  George  W.  Bank,  wooaded  on  the  7th,  and  Jied  on 

the  Sih  of  September,  If 
M  liettteaant  R.  M.  Harriaon,  wounded. 
do*         Henry  Taylor,       do. 


^  4\ 
i:     * 
t    i 


'ill  jl 

■I 


am 


■>"* 


si  «.      M'\ 


m\ 


420 

.  List  of  the  principal  British  officers,  and  an  eoehthit  of  the  several 
corps  under  the  command  of  lieutenant  general  Sir  Oeorge 
Prevostt  at  the  siege  of  Plattsbvroh. 

Lit^tttenant  general  Sir  Oeorge  Prevost,  commander  in  ehieft 
major  ceneral  2^  Rottenbure*  maior  general  Robertson,  major 

gsneral  Powers,  major  general  Brisbane,  major  general  Banes,  sir 
idney  Beckwith,  colonel  Hughes,  major  Sinclair,  lieutenant  co- 
lonel Tryall,  captain  Murrajr,  colonel  Burke,  major  Montgomery* 
taptain  Davis,  &c. 

Regiments  and  corps  of  the  BritiA  army. 

1st  Brigtde, 3700        v 

3d      do ...  3600 

3d      do.           .       .                       3100 

Lif^tdo 2800 

do.  Dragoon^          ..--...-  300 

Royal  ArfiUerjr,      ........  400 

Rocketeers,  Sappers  and  Miners^ 100 

14,000 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTERS  3d  BRIGADE,  BALTIlfORE, 

September  15th,  1814. 


I  have  the  honour  u  .eport  to  you,  *hat,  in  obedience  to  jour 
orders,  I  marched  from  Baltimore,  on  Sunday  the  11th  instant, 
with  purt  of  my  brigade,  as  tho  advance  corps  of  the  army  under 
your  command.  Mr  force  consisted  of  550  of  the  5th  regiment, 
under  lieutenant  colonel  Sterret ;  620  of  the  6th,  under  lieuten- 
ant colonel  M'Donald ;  500  of  the  27th,  under  lieutenant  colonel 
Long ;  450  of  the  S9th,  under  lieutenant  colonel  Fowler :  700  of 
the  Slst,  under  lieutenant  colonel  Amey ;  150  riflemen,  under  cap- 
tain Dyer ;  140  cavalry,  under  lieutenant  c6fonel  Blays,  and  the 
Union  artillery  ef  75  men,  with  six  four  pounders,  und^r  captain 
Montgomery,  making  an  aggregate  of  3,185  effective  men.  I 
moved  towards  North  PointToy  the  main  road,  and  at  8 o'clock 
P.  M.  reached  the  meeting-house,  near  the  head  of  Bear  creek, 


seven  miles  from  this  city.    Here  the  brigade  halted,  with  the 
exception  of  the  cavalry,  vi^ho  were  pushed  forward  to  Gorsuch's 


Mormng 

fivm  the  advanced  videttes,  that  the  enemy  were  debarking  troops 
'from  and  under  cover  df  th^ir  gun  vessels  which  layoff  the.bluff 
of  North  Point,  within  the  mouth  of  Mitapsco  river.  I  immediate- 
ly ordered  back  my  baggage  under  a  strong^  guanl,  m«Ted  for- 
ward the  5th  and  a7th  regiments  and  my  artjltery  to  th«  head  of 
JLong-log-lane  (so  called)  resting  the  5th  with  its  right  on  the 


fthe  several 
Sir  Oeorge 

der  in  chief, 
tUon,  major 
t\  Banes,  sir 
ieutenant  co- 
Montgomerj« 


14,000 


MORE, 
15th,  1814. 

Hence  to  your 
:  11th  instant, 
le  army  under 
5th  regiment, 
inder  neuten- 
:enant  colonel 
lowler :  700  of 
|en,  under  cap- 
iBlays,  and  the 
unaer  captain 
ctive  men.    I 
id  at  8  o'clock 
)f  Bear  creek, 
Ited,  with  the 

to  Gorsuch'a 
jtook  poit  near 

encampment. 

d  information 
^barking  troop* 

yoff  thebluff 
I  immediate- 

il,  moTod  for- 

to  th«  head  of 
right  on  the 


4ih 

hMid  of  a  branch  of  Bear  creek,  and  its  left  on  the  main  North 
Point  road,  while  the  27th  was  posted  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
road  in  line  with  the  5th,  its  lett  extending  towards  a  branch  of 
Back  river.    The  artillery  I  posted  directly  at  the  head  of  the 
lane  in  the  interval  between  the  5th  and  27th.    The  39th  occupied 
ajground  300  yards  in  the  rear  of  the  27th,  a|id  the  51st  the  same 
distance  in  rear  of  the  5th,  extending  each  parallel  to  the  front 
line.    The  6th  regiment  was  thrown  back  to  a  position  a  short 
distance  this  side  of  Cook's  tavern,  and  half  a  mile  in  the  rear  of 
the  second  line.    My  orders  were,  that  the  5th  and  27th  should 
receive  the  enemy,  and  if  necessary,  fall  back  through  the  51st 
and  39th,  and  form  on  the  right  of  the  6th  or  reserve  regiments. 
The  riflemen  were  ordered  to  the  skirts  of  a  thick  low  pine  wood, 
beyond  the  blacksmith's  shop,  with  a  large  sedge-field  in  front,  that, 
as  the  cavalry  were  still  in  advance,  who  would  inform  him  of  the 
enemy's  approach,  thejr  might  t&ke  advantage  of  the  covering  of 
the  wood,  and  annoy  his  advance.    I  soon  learned  that  the  ene- 
my's advance  party  was  moving  rapidly  up  the  main  road,  and  as 
the  cavalry  continually  announced  their  progress,  I  flattered  my- 
self with  the  hope  that  the  riflemen  woula  soon  proclaim',  by  a 
galling  fire,  their  still  nearer  approach.    Imagine  my  chagrin  when 
T  perceived  the  whole  rifle  corps  falling  back  upon  my  main  posi- 
tion, having  too  credulously  listened  to  groundless  information, 
that  the  enemy  were  landing  on  Back  river  to  cut  them  offl    My 
hopes  of  early  annoyance  to  the  enemy,  being  thus  frustrated,  I 
threw  the  riflemen  on  the  right  flank  of  mv  front  line,  thereby, 
with  the  addition  of  a  few  cavalry,  very  well  securing  that  flank. 
My  videttes  soon  brought  information,  that  the  enemy  in  small 
force,  was  enjoying  himself  at  Gorsuch's  farm.    Insulted  at  the 
idea  of  a  small  marauding  party  thus  daringly  provoking  chas- 
tisement, severel  of  my  officers  volunteered  their  corps  to  dislodge 
it.     Captains  Levering's  and  Howard's  companies,  from  the  5tn, 
about  150  in  nun  ber,  under  major  Heath,  of  that  regiment ;  cap- 
tain Aisquith's,  and  a  few  other  riflemen,  in  all  about  70 ;  one 
four  pounder,  with  10  men,  under  lieutenant  Stiles,  and  the  ca- 
valry, were  immediately  pushed  forward  to  punish  Uie  insolence 
of  the  enemy's  advance,  or,  if  his  main  body  appeared,  to  give 
evidence  df  my  wish  for  a  general  engagement.    The  latter  pur- 
pose was  soon  answered  :  this  small  volunteer  corps  had  proceeded 
scarcely  half  a  mile  before  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  allowed 
ittielf,  whicli  was  immediately  attacked.    The  infantry  and '  rifle- 
men maintained  a  fire  of  some  loss  in  killed  and  wounded ;  the 
eavalry  and  artillery,  owing  to  the  disadvantageous  ground,  not 
being  able  to  support  them.    In  this  skirmish,  major  Heath's  hoirse 
was  killed' under  him.    At  half  past  2  o'clock,  the  enemy  coni<= 
menced  throwing  rockets  across  my  left  flank,  which  seemed 
harmless,  and  had  no  other  effect  than  to  prepare  my  line  for  the 
sound  of  the  artillery,  which^soon  commenced  by  us  on  the  ene- 
my's right  column,  tnen  pushing  across  towards  my  left,  and  re- 


If 

^^  1 

i     p|!l 


i|;. 


.  i 


a  -i; 


'% 


¥ 


'l-i  1 


f''  ?J^ 


i     H 


4M 

"tiHrned  by  their  six  pounders  and  a  howitzer  upon  my  left  and 
centre.  The  cannonadiug  was  brisk  for  some  minutes,  when  I 
ordered  mj  fire  to  cease,  until  the  enemy  should  get  within  close 
range  of  cannister.  Seeing  that  my  left  flank  was  uie  object  of  the 
enemy,  I  brought  up  the  39th  into  line,  on  the  left  of  the  27th, 
and  detached  two  pieces  of  artillery  to  the  left  of  the  39th.  Still 
more  securely  to  protect  my  left  flank,  colonel  Amey  of  the  5l8t 
was  ordered  to  form  his  regiment  at  right  angles  with  my  line, 
resting  his  ri^t  near  the  left  of  the  39th.  This  order  being  badly 
executed,  created  for  a  moment  some  confusion  in  that  quarter, 
but  was  soon  rectified  by  the  efforts  of  my  aid -de-camp  and  bricade 
najors ;  who  corrected  the  error  of  colonel  Amey,  and  posted  the 
5l8tin  its  ordered  position.  The  enemy's  right  column  displayed 
and  advanced  upon  the  391ii  and  27th.  The  5tst,  unmindful  of 
my  object  to  ufe  its  fire  in  protection  of  my  left  flank,  in  case  an 
attempt  should  be  made  to  turn  it,  totally  forgetful  of  the  honour 
of  the  brigade,  and  regardless  of  its  own  reputation,  delivered 
one  random  fire,  and  retreated  precipitately,  and  in  such  confu- 
sion, as  to  render  every  effort  of  mine  to  rally  them /ineffective.' 
Some  disorder  was  occasioned  in  the  second  battalion  of  the  39th, 
by  the  flight  of  the  51st,  and  a  few  gave  way.  The  fire  now  be- 
came general  from  left  to  right ;  my  artillery  in  the  centre,  poured 
forth  an  incessant  volley  of  cannister  upon  the  enemy's  left  column, 
who  were  endeav.ouring  to  eain  the  cover  of  a  small  log-house, 
about  fifty  yards  in  front  of  the  5th ;  which,  however,  caution  had 
been  taken  to  fire,  so  soon  as  captain  Saddler's  Yagers,  of  the  5th, 
^who  were  originally  posted  therein)  should  be  compelled  to  leave 
it  The  enemy's  line  advanced  about  10  minutes  before  3  o'clock, 
with  asevere'fire,  which  was  well  returned  by  the  artillery,  the 
whole  27th,  the  5th,  except  the  three  companies  of  captains  Le- 
vering, Howard  and  Saddler,  which  were  too  much  exhausted  by 
tile  advanced  skirmish  of  the  two  former,  and  the  ordered  retreat 
of  the  latter  to  resume  their  positions  in  line ;  and  from  the  first 
battalion  of  the  39th,  who  maintained  its  ground  in  despite  of  the 
disgraceful  example  sr^^by  the  intended  support  on  the  left.  The 
fire  was  incessant  till  atiout  15  minutes  before  4  o'clock,  when 
finding  that  my  line,  now  1400  strong,  was  insuflicient  to  with- 
•tand  the  superior  numbers  of  the  enemy,  and  my  left  flank  being 
exposed  by  tiie  desertion  of  the  51st,  I  was  constrained  to  order 
a  m^ement  back  to  the  reserve  regiment,  under  colonel  M'Don- 
akbwhich  was  well  posted  to  receive  the  retired  line  which  most- 
ly rallied  well.  °On  farming  with  the  6th,  the  fatigued  state  of 
we  re^ments  and  corps  vhich  had  retired,  and  the  probability 
tiiat  m^  risht  flank  might  be  turned  by  a  quick  movement  of  the 
enemy  in  that  direction,  induced  me,  after  proper  deliberation,  to 
fidl  back  to  Worthington's  mill ;  which  I  was  the  more  persuaded 
to,  by  my  desire  to  have  the  61^  regiment  (whose  officers  and  men 
were  eager  to  share  the  dangers  of  their  brother  soldiers)  perfect 
and'ia  good  order  to  receive  the  enemy  on  his  nearer  approach  te 


y  left  and 
teg,  when  I 
ithin  close 
Meet  of  the 

f  the  arth. 

39th.   Still 
of  the  51tt 
th  my  Une» 
being  badly 
hat  quarter, 
•  and  brigade 
d  posted  the 
an  displayed 
anmindful  of 
ik,in  case  an 
,f  the  honour 
on,  delivered 
I  such  confu- 
n/ineffective. 

n  of  the  39th, 
5  fire  now  be- 
centre,  poured 
's  left  column, 
lall  log-house, 
^r,  caution  had 
ers.of  iheSth, 
telled  to  leave 
-fore  3  o'clock, 
,  artillery,  the 
''  capttuns  Le- 
B  exhausted  by 
[rdered  retreat 
from  the  first 
,  despite  of  the 
[the  left.    The 
o'clock,  when 
icient  to  wilh- 
left  flank  beittg 
^ined  to  order 
lolonel  M'Don- 
ae  which  most- 

f*  ued  state  of 
e  probability 
'  »vetnent  of  the 
ieliberation,  to 
iiore  persuaded 
[fiicers  and  men 
ddiers)  perfect 
ir  approach  ie 


4t3 

the  city.  All  retired  as  I  could  wish,  and  were  ready  to  act  aa 
circumstances  mij^ht  require.  In  this  situation  you  found  the  bri- 
gade on  the  morning  of  the  I3th,  somewhat  fatigued^  but  with  in- 
creased confidence  in  ourselves,  and  renewing  our  preparation  for 
the  annoyance  of  the  enemy  alone  if  deemed  proper,  or  in  con- 
junction with  any  c*'   :  force. 

I  have  thought  it  due  to  the  merits  of  my  brigade,  to  detail  thus 
fully  their  whole  movement,  and  1  feel  a  pride  in  the  belief  that 
the  stand  made  on  Monday  in  no  small  degree  tended  to  check 
the  temerity  of  a  foe,  danng  to  invade  a  country  like  ours,  and 
designing  the  d\B8truction  of  our  city,  in  whose  defence  some 
of  the  best  blood,  in  the  country  has  already  been  spilt,  and  for 
whose  safety  and  protection  the  citizen  soldiers  of  the  Sd  brigade 
are  ready  to  suffer  every  privation,  and  meet  every  danger. 
Should  report  be  true,  (and  I  doubt  not  the  fact)  that  th.^  enemy's 
commanding  officer,  timor  general  Rosst  was  killed  in  th.s  action, 
and  that  the  enemy  suffereu  in  proportion  to  his  superior  numbers, 
I  shall  feel  still  more  the  valuanle  consequences  of  our  fight. 

The  conduct  of  many  of  my  company,  ofiicers  and  privates,  was 
such  as  I  calculated  on ;  that  of  most  of  my  field  officers  aho  me- 
rits my  particular  notice.  Major  Richard  K.  Heath  of  the  5th,  who 
led  on  the  advanced  party  to  bring  on  the  action,  behaved  as  be- 
came an  officer ;  the  facts  of  his  horse  being  killed  under  him  iti  the 
first  skirmish,  his  second  being  badly  wounded,  and  himself  receiv- 
ing a  contusion  on  the  head  by  a  musket  ball,  in  the  general  action, 
are  ample  proofs  of  his  bravery  and  exposure  in  dischai^e  of  his 
duty.  Lieutenant  colonel  Sterret,  and  major  Barry  of  the  iUh, 
gained  my  highest  approbation,  and  they  unite  with  all  in  praise 
of  captain  Spangler  and  his  company  of  volunteers  from  Penn- 
•vlyania,  then  attached  to  their  command  ;  also  of  adjutant 
Cheston,  who  is  slightly  wounded.  Lieutenant  colonel  Long 
of  the  27th,  and  his  field  and  company  officers,  did  well ;  this  whole 
regiment  were  unsurpassed  in  bravery,  resolution  and  enthusiasm. 
My  brigade  has  to  bewail  the  loss  of  adjutant  James  L.  Donald- 
son, who  fell  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight,  bravely  discharging  the 
duties  of  his  commission.  Lieutenant  colonel  Fowler,  and  :ria« 
jor  Ste^r,  of  the  39th,  did  their  duty  in  every  respect ;  they 
speak  highly  of  the  volunteer  companies  of  captain  Quantnl 
from  Hagerstown,  and  captain  Metzgar  from  Hanover,  Pa.  Cap- 
tain Quantril  is  wounded.  Captain  John  Montgomery,  command- 
ing my  artillery,  gained  for  himself  and  his  comnany  lastii^ 
honour.  Captain  Aisquith  and  his  company  of  rinemen,  merit 
my  thanks.  Ensien  Wilmot,  commanding  the  company  of  Uni'> 
ted  Volunteers  of  the  jfth,  and  many  of  his  men,  aistinguished 
themselves. 

To  brigade  majors  Calhoun  and  Frailey,  I  am  under  great  obli« 

fitions  lor  the  prompt  and  zealous  performance  of  their  duty, 
o  my  aid-de-camp,  major  George  P.  Stevenson,  too  much  praise 
<;aBnot  be  giyen :  his  industry  in  every  arrangement  before  the 


w 


;.i i'  i«rr 


*1 


'J 


II 


I 
i 


fight,  and  in  animating  the  whole  line,  wm  oonipicuoiui  i  the 
•pri^tliness  of  his  manners  in  the  most  trying  scenes  had  the 
happiest  effect  upon  all  to  whom  he  had  to  communicate  mj  or- 
ders ;  and  the  precision  with  which  he  delivered  my  commande* 
could  be  exceeded  only  by  the  coolness  with  which  he  always  saw 
them  executed.  He  was  animated,  brave,  and  useful.  Mi^or 
!¥.  Barney,  and  adjutant  L.  Taylor,  of  the  cavalry,  who,  haviiig 
no  opportunity  of  distinction  ita  regiment  owing  to  the  grounds, 
did  me  grtat  service,  the  former  in  aiding  captain  Montgomery, 
the  latter  in  conveying  my  orders  through  the  whole.  Mr.  Robert 
Goodloe  Harper  deserves  my  thanks.  He  visited  me  iust  before 
the  action  ;  accompanied  the  advanced  party,  and  aidea  me  much 
throughout.  The  brave  soldiers  under  nty  command  have  suffered 
many  privations,  and  I  recognize  among  our  killed  and  wounded 
many  valuable  men }  of  whieh  I  will  make  a  report  in  a  few 
days, 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
JOHN  STRICKER, 

Brig,  Oen.  Commanding  3d  Brigade  JII,  M. 
Major  General  Smith. 


II 


8IK, 


FORT  BOWYRB,  September  15tlr,  1814, 12  o'clock  at  night 


After  writing  the  enclosed,  I  was  prevented  by  the  approach 
of  the  enemy  from  sending  it  by  express.-  At  meridian  they 
\yere  under  full  sail,  with  an  easy  and  favourable  breeze,  standing 
(iiirectly  for  the  fort,  and  at  4  P.  M.  we  opened  our  battery,  which 
was  returned  from  two  ships  and  two  bngs,  as  they  approached. 
The  action  became  general  at  abput  SO  minutes  past  4,  and  was 
continued,  without  intermission  on  either  side,  until  7,  when  one 
•hip  and  two  brigs  wera  compelled  to  retire.  The  leading  ship, 
supposed  to  be  the  commodore,  mounting  twenty-two  38  pound 
carronades,  having  anchored  nearest  our  battery,  was  so  much 
disabled,  her  cable  being  cut  by  our  shot,  that  she  drifted  on  shore, 
within  600  yards  of  the  batterv,  and  the  other  vessels  having  sot 
out  of  our  reach,  we  kept  iucn  a  tremendous  fire  upon  her  that 
she  was  set  on  fire  and  al^ndoned  by  the  few  of  the  crew  who 
survived.  At  10  P.  M.  we  had  the  pleasure  of  witnessing  the 
explosion  of  her  magazine.  The  loss  of  lives  on  board  must 
have  been  immense,  as  we  are  certain  no  boats  left  her  except 
three,  which  had  previously  gone  to  her  assistance,  and  one  of 
these  I  believe  was  sunk ;  in  fact  one  of  her  boats  was  burned 
alongside  of  her. 

The  brig  that  followed  her,  I  am  certain,  was  much  damaged 

both  in  hull  and  rigging.    The  other  two  did  not  approach^  near 

enough  to  be  so  much  injured,  but  I  am  confident  they  did  not 

Escape,  as  a  well  directed  fire  was  kept  on  them  during  the 

whole  time. 


4MB 


o'clock  »t  night 


'  During  th«  aetira  a  battery  of  a  12  pounder  and  a  howitxef  tnyl 
iipened  on  our  rear,  but  without  doing  anjr  execution,  and  waa 
ailenced  bj  a  few  shot.  Our  loM  ia  four  pritatet  killed  and  fiT« 
privates  wounded. 

Towards  the  cloie  of  the  action  the  flag«ataf  was  shot  awar| 
but  the  flac  was  immediatelj  hoisted  on  a  sponge  staff  over  Ae 
parapet  While  the  flag  was  down  the  enemy  kept  up  their  moi|t 
incessant  and  tremendous  fire ;  the  men  were  withdrawn  from  m9 
curtinsand  north-east  bastion,  as  the  enemy's  own  shot  complete- 
Iv  protected  our  rear,  except  the  position  they  had  chosen  for 
their  batteiT.  Where  all  behaved  well  it  is  unneeeasary  to  discrim- 
inate. Suffice  it  to  say,  every  officer  and  man  did  his  duty  i  thk 
whole  behaved  with  that  coolness  and  intrepidity  which  is  char- 
acteristic  of  the  true  American,  and  which  could  scarcely  have 
been  expected  from  men  most  of  whom  had  never  seen  an  ene- 
my, and  were  now  for  the  first  time  exposed  for  nearly  three 
hours  to  a  force  of  nearly  or  quite  four  guns  to  one. 

We  fired  during  the  action  between  4  and  500  guns,  most  of 
them  double  shotted*  and  after  the  first  half  hour  but  few  missed 
an  effect. 

September  16th,  11  o'clock,  A.  IL 

Upon  an  examination  of  our  battery  thia  morning,  we  find  up- 
wards of  300  shot  holes  in  the  inside  of  the  north  and  east  cur- 
tins,  and  north-east  bastion,  of  all  calibres,  from  musket  ball  to  it 
pound  shot*  In  the  north-east  bastion,  there  were  three  cuns  dis- 
mounted { one  of  which,  a  four  pounder,  was  broken  onnear  tha 
trunnions  by  a  32  pound  shot,  ana  another  much  battered.  I  regret 
to  say  that  both  tne  24  pounders  are  cracked  in  auch  a  manner 
as  to  render  them  unfit  for  service. 

!  ftin  informed  by  two  deserters  from  the  land  force,  who  have 
just  arrived  here,  and  whom  I  send  for  your  disposal,  that  a  rein- 
forcement is  expected,  when  they  will  doubtless  endeavour  to 
wipe  of  the  stain  of  yesterday. 

If  you  will  send  the  Amelia  down,  we  may  probabljr  save  moat 
or  all  of  the  ahip's  guns,  as  her  wreck  is  lying  in  six  or  seven, 
feet  water,  and  some  of  tiiem  are  just  covered.  They  will  not, 
however,  anawer  for  the  fort,  as  they  are  two  ^ort. 

By  the  desertera,  we  learn  that  the  ship  we  have  destroyed 
was  the  Hermes,  but  her  commander's  name  they  did  not  recol- 
lect. It  was  the  commodore,  and  he  deabtless  fell  on  lua  quarter 
deck,  as  we  had  a  raking  fire  upon  it  at  about  two  hundred  yardf 
distance  for  some  time* 

To  captain  Sands,  who  will  have  the  honour  of  hahdinryoil 
this  despatch,  I  refer  you  for  a  more  particular  account  m  tho 
movements  of  the  enemy  than  may  be  contained  in  my  letters ; 
hia  services,  both  before  and  during  the  action^  were  of  g;reat  im' 
portance,  and  I  consider  fully  justuy  me  in  having  detained  hiin> 
Captain  Walsh  and  several  men  were  mnek  btrmed  by  the  i|cci« 
54 


1 


.  !      *  I  ■ 

i    ^ 


'  I 


i^\ 


fu 


d§tKU\  eiploaton  of  two  or  three  cartrid^.    They  are  »ot  ia- 
oluded  in  the  list  of  wounded  heretofore  given. 

The  enenty*!  fleet,  thit  morning  at  day  break,  were  at  anchor  il 
the  channel,  about  four  miles  from  the  fort ;  shortly  after  it  got 
under  way  and  stood  to  sea }  after  passing  the  bar  they  hove  to, 
and  boats  have  been  constantly  passing  between  the  disabled  brig 
tnd  the  others.  I  presume  the  former  is  m  much  injured  as  t^ 
nnder  it  necessary  to  lighten  her. 

Fifteen  Minutes  after  1  P.  11. 

The  wnole  fleet  have  this  moment  made  sail  and  are  standing 
to  sea. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be.  &c. 
r  >«  WILLIAM  LAWRENCB. 

Ibjar  I  «ncnl  Andrew  Jackfon,  &c. 


"S™ 


SIB, 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  7th  MILITARY  DISTRICT, 

-f^...j..  ,    .  Mobile.  September  17th,  1814. 


With  lively  emotions  of  satisfaction,  I  communicate  that 
success  has  crowned  the  gallant  efforts  of  our  brave  soldiers,  in 
resisting  and  repulsing  a  combined  British  naval  and  land  force, 
which,  on  the  15th  instant,  attacked  fort  Bowyer,  on  the  point  of 
Mobile. 

I  enclose  a  copy  of  the  official  report  of  major  William  Law- 
rence, of  the  2a  infantry,  who  commanded.  In  addition  to  the 
particulars  communicated  in  his  letter,  I  have  learnt  tliat  the  ship 
which  was  destroyed,  was  the  Hermes,  of  from  S4  to  £8  gunt, 
captain  the  honourable  William  H.  Percy,  senior  officer  in.  the 
gulf  of  Mexico ;  and  the  brig  so  considerably  damaged,  is  the 
Sophia,  18  guns,  captain  William  Lockyer.  The  other  ship  was 
the  Carron,  of  from  24  to  28  guns,  captain  Spencer,  sun  of^  Earl 
8pencer;  the  other  brig's  name  unknown.  On  board  of  the 
Carron,  85  men  were  Mlled  and  wounded;  amonv  whom,  was 
colopel  NicoU,  of  the -royal  marines,  who  lost  an  eye  oy  a  splinter. 
The  land  force  consisted  of  110  marines  and  200  Creek  Indians, 
under  the  command  of  captain  Woodbine,  of  marines,  and  about 
SO  artillerists,  with  oae  four  and  an  half  inch  howitzer,  from 
which  they  diseiuirged  shells  and  mine  pound  shot.  They  re-em- 
baiiied  the  piece,  and  retreated  by  land  towards  P«nsacoU, 
whence  they  r«sM).  ^ 

By  the  morning  report  of  the  16tli,  there  were  present  in  ^e 
fort,  fit  for  doty,  oAcera  and  men,  15^. 

The  result  ra  this  encagettent  has  stamped  a  character  on  the 
war  in  this  quarter,  h^^fy  l&vourable  to  the  American  arms;  it  is 
ftn  event  from  which  may  lie  drawn  the  most  favovrable  ai^|iiry. 

An  arhievement  so  gforious  in  itself,  and  important  in  its  ooB- 
fl«|u«ncoa,  shovld  be  ^prtciatod  by  the  'government;  aad  tli9M 


li ,  ^i  \ 


c«ie«rned  art  mtitUd  t5,  §mA  will  ddubfClen  raeeit «,  ih«  MoH 
gratifying  evidence  of  the  approbation  of  their  cuuritrymen. 

In  the  words  of  major  Lawrence,  <'  where  all  behaved  well  it 
is  unnecessary  to  discriminate.**  But  all  being  meritorious,  I 
beg  leave  to  annex  the  names  of  the  officers  who  were  engaged 
andj»resent,and  hope  the/  will,  individually,  be  deemed  worthy  of 
distinction. 

Midor  William  Lawrence,  Sd  infantry,  commanding ;  captain 
Wft!sB,  of  the  artillery,  captains  Chanioerlain,  Brownlow  and 
Bradley  of  the  2d  infantry,  captain  Sands,  deputy-commissary 
«f  ordnance,  lieutenants  Villard,  Storges,  Conway,  H.  Sandert, 
T.  R.  Sanders,  Brooks,  Davis,  and  C.  Sanders,  all  of  the  8d 
infantry. ' 

I  am  confident  that  your  own  feelings  will  lead  you  to  partici- 

Site  in  my  wishes  on  this  subject.  Permit  me  to  suggest  the 
opriety  and  justice  of  allowing  to  this  gallant  band  the  value  of 
e  vessel  destroyed  by  them. 

I  remain,  &c. 
ANDREW  JACl^SON.  Brig.  Oen.  Cm 
The  Hon.  Secretsfy  oT  War. 


d\ 


ATTACK  ON  BALTIMORE. 

On  the  approach  of  the  fleet  destined  against  Baltimore  to  the 
li^outh  of  the  PatapBCO,  consistins  of  nearly  forty  sul,  and  among 
tiiem  several  ships  ot  the  line,  the  alarm  spread  quickly  throum 
the  adjacent  countrjr.  The  largest  vessels  anchored  across  the 
channel ;  the  troops  intended  tor  the  land  attack  were  debarked 
upon  North  Point,  fourteen  miles  distant  from  the  city,  by  land, 
and  twelve  by  water,  and  on  the  morning  of  Senteihber  12th, 
Itttween  ?  and  8000  soldiers,  sailors,  and  marines,  nad  effected  a 
landing,  while  16  bomb-vessels  and  frigates  proceeded  up  the 
river,  and  anchored  within  two  miles  and  an  halt  of  Fort  M'Henry. 
Thn  ftiHlier  result  of  the  enterprise  will  be  found  in  the  letter 
Mlnwing,  from  mi^or  general  Smith,  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 


BIR, 


HBAD  QVARTEBS,  BALTIIIORK,  September  19tb,  1814. 


In  compliance  with  the  promise  contained  in  my  letter  of  the 
1 5th  instant,  1  have  now  the  honour  of  stating,  that  the  enemy  landed 
between  7  and  8000  men,  on  Monday  the  12th  instant,  at  North 
Point,  fourteen  miles  distant  from  this  town.  Anticipating  this 
debarkation,  general  Strieker  had  been  detached  on  Sunday  even- 
ing with  a  portion  of  his  brigade  on  the  North  Point  road.  Ma- 
jor Rnndalr  of  the  Baltimore  county  militia,  haviof  under  his 
oommand  a  light  corps  of  riflemen  and  musketry,  taken  from  ge- 
neral Stansbury'a  brigade  and  the  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  was 
dntneked  to  the  montii  of  Be«r  creek,  with  orders  to  co-operate 


kit 


4t« 

with  general  Strieker,  and  to  check  an j  landinc  which  the  enaaAjr 
might  attempt  to  make  in  that  quarter.    On  Monday*  brigadier 
ceneral  Stritker  took  a  good  position  at  the  two  roads  leading 
From  this  place  to  North  Point,  having  his  ri^t  fluiked  by  Bear 
creek,  and  his  left  by  a  marsh.    He  here  awaited  the  approach  of 
theenemy,  havine  sent  an  advanced  corps  under  the  command  of 
mijor  Heath,  of  the  3th  regiment.    This  advance  was  met  by  that 
of  ^e  enemy,  and  after  some  skirmishins  it  returned  to  the  line, 
the  main  body  of  the  enemy  being  at  a  ihort  distance  in  the  rear 
of  their  advance.    Between  two  and  three  o'clock  the  eneny^'s 
whole  force  came  up  and  commenced  the  battle  by  some  ais« 
chares  of  rockets,  wnich  were  succeeded  by  the  cannon  from  both 
sides,  and  soon  after  the  action  became  general  along  the  line* 
General  Strieker  gallantlv  maintained  his  ground  against  a  great 
superiority  of  numbers  during  the  space  of  an  hour  and  twenty 
minutes,  when  the  regiment  on  his  left  (the  51st)  givinc  way,  he 
was  under  the  necessity  of  retiring  to  the  ground  inliis  rear, 
where  he  had  stationed  one  r^ment  as  a  reserve.  He  here  formed 
his  brigade ;  but  the  enemy  not  thinking  it  advisable  to  pursue, 
he,  in  compliance  with  previous  arrangements,  fell  back  and  took 
post  on  the  left  of  my  entrenchments,  and  a  half  mile  in  advance 
of  them.    In  this  affair  the  citizen  soldiers  of  Baltimore,  with 
the  exception  of  the  5tst  re^ment,  have  maintained  tiie  reputa* 
tion  they  so  deservedly  acquired  at  Bladensburg,  and  their  brave 
and  skilful  leader  has  confirmed  the  confidence  which  we  had  all 
so  justly  placed  in  him.    I  take  the  liberty  of  referring  you  to  hia 
letter  tor  the  more  particular  mention  of  the  individuals  who, 
new  to  warfare,  have  shown  the  coolness  and  valor  of  veterans  ; 
and  who,  by  tiieir  conduct  on  tiiis  occasion,  have  g^ven  their  coun- 
try and  their  city  an  assurance  of  what  may  m  expected  firom 
them  when  their  uervices  are  aj^n  required.    I  cannot  dis- 
iniss  the  subject  without  expressing  the  heartfelt  satisfaction  £ 
experienced  in  thus  bearing  testimony  to  the  counij|e  and  good 
eonduct  of  my   fellow  townsmen.    About  the    time   |;eneral 
Strieker  had  taken  the  sround  just  mentioned,  he  was  joined  by 
brigadier  general  Winder,  who  had  been  stationed  on  the  west 
side  of  the  city,  but  was  now  ordered  to  march  with  general 
Douglas's  brigade  of  Vii^nia  militia  and  the  United  States'  dra- 
goons under  captain  Bird,  and  take  post  on  the  left  of  general 
Strieker.    During  these  movements  the  bri^;ades  of  general  Stans- 
bury  and  Foreman,  the  seamen  and  mannes  under  commodore 
Rodeers,  the  Pennsylvania  volunteers  under  colonels  Cobean  and 
Findley,  the  Baltimore  artillery  under  captain  Stiles,  manned  th^ 
trenches  and  the  batteries^— all  prepared  to  i^eive  the  enemy. 
We  remained  in  this  situation  during  the  night 

On  Tuesday,  tKe  enemy  appeared  in  front  of  my  entrenchments 
»t  the  distance  of  two  miles,  on  the  Philadelphia  road,  from 
whence  he  had  a  full  view  of  our  position.  He  manouvred  during 
the  morning,  towards  our  left,  as  if  with  the  intention  of  makiiig 


,  brigadier 
ids  lending 
ed  by  Bear 
approach  of 
ommand  of 
met  by  that 
to  the  line* 
in  the  rear 
he  enennr's 
'  some  ais-^ 
n  from  both 
igtke  linet 
Inst  a  great 
and  twenty 
inff  way,  he 
inliis  rear, 
here  formed 
e  to  pursue, 
kck  and  took 
i  in  advance 
timore,  with 
the  reputai- 
i  their  brave 
h  we  had  all 
\a  you  to  hi* 
iduals  who, 
)f  veterans ; 
itheircoun- 
pectedfirQm 
cannot  dis- 
latisfacfionl 
;eand  good 
me   ^neral 
as  joined  by 
on  the  west 
rith  general 
States'  dra- 
\  of  general 
nerel  Stans- 
commodore 
Cobean  and 
manned  th^ 
the  enemy. 

renchments 
road,  from 
vred  ^uring 
lof  m»ki|i| 


4S9 

» eircvfbms  march  and  coming  down  on  the  Harford  or  Yoiik, 
roads.  Generals  Winder  and  Strieker  were  ordered  to  adapt 
their  movemetits  to  those  of  the  enemy,  so. as, to  l^flBle  this,  supr 
posed  intention.'  They  executed  this  order  with  great  skill  and 
judgment,  by  taking  an  advantageous  position,  stretching  from 
myleft  across  the  country,  when  the  enemy  was  likely  to  approach  > 
thequarter  be  seemed  to  "Uireaten.  This  movement  induced  th<l 
enemy  to  concentrate  his  forces  (between  one  and  two  o'clock) 
in  my  front,  pushing  his  advance  to  within  a  mile  of  us,  driving 
in  our  videttes,  and  showing  an  intention  of  attacking  us  that 
evening.  I  immediately  drew  generals  Winder  and  Strieker 
nearer  to  the  left  of  my  entrenchments  and  to  the  right  of  the 
enemy,  with  the  intention  of  their  falling  on  his  right  or  rear, 
should  he  attack  me;  or,  if  he  declined  it,  of  attacking  him  in 
the  morning.  To  this  movement,  and  to  the  strength  ot  my  de- 
fences, whi^  the  enemy  had  the  fairest  opportunity  of  observing, 
I  aiii  induced  to  attribute  his  retreat,  which  wsa  commenced  at 
half  past  one  o'clock  on  Wednesday  morning.  In  this  he  was  so 
fcivoured  by  the  extreme  darkness  and  a  continued  rain,  that  we 
did  not  discover  it  until  day-li^t.  I  consented  to  general  Win- 
der's   pursuing  wiUi    the  Virginia  brigade  and    the   United 


All  the  troops  were,  however,  so  worn  out  with  continued  watch- 
ing, and  witti  being  under  arms  three  days  and  nights,  exposed 
the  greater  part  of  the  time  to  very  inclement  weather,  that  it 
was  found  impracticable  to  do  any  thin^  more  than  pick  up  a  few 
•tragglers.  The  enemy  commenced  his  embarkation  that  even* 
ing,  and  completed  it  the  next  day  at  one  o'clock.  It  would  have 
been  impossible,  even  had  our  troops  been  in  a  condition  to  act 
pffensiTely,  to  have  cut  off  any  part  of  the  enemy's  rear  guard 
during  the  embarkation,  as  the  point  where  it  was  < 


effected  was 


defended  from  our  approach,  by  a  line  of  defences  extending  from 
Back  river  to  Humphrey's  creek,  on  the  Patapaco,  thrown  up  by 
ourselves  previous  tothlltr  arrival. 

I  have  now  the  pleasure  of  calling  your  attention  to  the  brave 
commander  of  Fon  M'Henry,  major  Armistead,  and  to  the  ope* 
rations  confined  to  that  quarter.  The  enemy  made  his  approach 
by  water,'  at  the  same  time  that  his  armv  was  advancing  on  the 
land,  and  commenced  a  discharge  of  bombs  and  rockets  at  the  fort 
as  soon  as  he  got  withjn  rau^e'of  it.  The  situation  of  mi^or 
Armistead  was  peculiarly  trying.^  The  enemy  having  taken  a 
position  at  snch  a  distance  as  to  render  offensive  operations  on 
the  part  of  the  fort  entirely  fruidess,  wlulst  their  bomos  androck- 
ets  were  ev<ery  moment  falling  in  and  about  it|  the  oflBicers  and 
men  betnc  at  the  same  time  entirely  exposed.  The  vessels, 
however.  Had  the  temerity  to  approach  somewhat  nearer ;  they 
irere^il  jMon  compelled  to  wijthdraw.    During  the  ni^t,  whilst 


It'.'  >mrn 


'''  ■  f  I'll 

*  kilt 


m 


-f'« 


'M 


* 


^» 


iiiem^itay  on  land  wm  retreating,  uid  whilgt  the  twrnterdnait 
WIS  most  severe,  two  or  tiiree  rocket  vessels  and  baj^s  succeeded 
in  getting  up  the  ferrj  branch ;  but  they  were  soon  compelled  to 
retire  by  the  forts  in  that  ooarter,  commanded  by  lieutenant 
Mewcomb,  of  the  n^vj.  and  lieutenant,  Webster,  of  the  flotilla. 
xHese  forts  also  destroyed  one  of  the  barges  with  all  on  board. 
The  barges  and  battery  at  the  lazaretto,  under  the  coinlteand  of 
^peutenant  Rutter,  of  the  flotilla,  kept  U|^  a  brisk,  and  is  believed* 
t  sUccessfal  fire  during  the  hottest  period  of  the  bombartoent. 
Major  Armistead  being  seriously  ill,  in  conseouence  of  his  con^- 
tinned  exposure  to  the  weather,  has  rendered  it  impossible  for 
Kim  to  send  in  his  report.  It  is  not,  therefore,  in  my  po#er  to 
do  justice  to  those  gaAant  individuals  who  partook  with  the  danger 
of  a  tremendous  bombardment,  without  the  ability  of  retorting, 
and  without  that  security,  which,  iii  more  regular  fortifications,  is 
provided  for  such  occasions.  Our  loss  in  the  fort  is,  I  understand, 
«bout.27  Icilled  and  wounded ;  amongst  the  former,  I  have  to  la- 
ment the  fall  of  lieutenants  Clagget  and  Clemm,  who  were  both 
estimable  citizens  and  useful  officers. 

From  general  Strieker's  bri^e,  the  return  of  the  killed  and 
Wounded  lias  not  yet  come  in.  It  is  supposed,  however,  to  amount 
to  about  150 ;  amon^  the  former,  this  city  has  to  regret  the  loss 
of  its  representative  m  the  state  legislature,  James  L.  DonaJdson, 
esq.  adjutant  of  the  27th  re^ment.  This  gentleman  will  ever 
be  remembered  bj  his  constituents  for  his  zeal  and  talents,  and 
by  his  corps  for  his  bravery  and  military  knowled^. 

1  cannot  conclude  this  report,  without  informing  you  of  the 
great  aid  I  have  derived  from  commodore  Rodsers.  He  was  ever 
present  and  ready  to  afford  his  useful  counsel,  and  to  render  hui 
important  services.  His  presence,  with  that  of  his  g^ant  oflicers 
and  s««3ien,  aive  confidence  to  ev^ry  one. 

The  enemjrs  loss  in  his  attempt  on  Baltimore,  amounts,  as  near 
as  we  can  ascertain  it,  to  between  6  and  700  kUled,  wounded  and. 
missing.    Oenerd  Rosa  was  certainly  killed. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  ke* 
S.  SSllTH.  Maj.  OeH.  ConOf. 
CoL  Jimef  Honroe, 

aotingSecrctaiyofWsr.  * 


SIR. 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  FORT  ERIE,  September  SD^  1B14. 


Among  the  oflicers  lost  to  this  army  at  the  battle  of  Niagara 
lalls,  was  my  aid-de-camp,  captun  Ambrose  Spe1n6er,  who,  being 
mortally  wounded,  was  left  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  By  fla|8 
from  the  Britiilh  army,  I  was  shortiv  afterwards  assured  of  his 
convalescence,  andean  offer  was  mane  Ine  by  lie^tsnadt  general 
Drummond  to  exchan|;e  him  for  bis  ownaict,  caiiiyiB Xoring,  th<n 
a  prisoner  of  war  with  us.    However  aingulw  thii  propoiiliDB 


49t 


iwmbfthAflMat 
Mg  succeeded 
I  compelled  to 
by  lieutenant 
of  the  flotilla. 
Ii  all  on  board. 
e  cotnttiandof 
nd  is  belioTed* 
bombardment* 
ice  of  his  con- 
impoasible  for 

I  myp*^'  *• 
with  the  danger 
ty  of  retorting, 
formations,  la 
9, 1  understand, 
jr,  I  have  to  la- 
,  who  were  both 

•  the  killed  and 
irever,  to  amount 
0  r^ret  the  loss  > 
A  Ih  Donaldson* 
[eman  will  ever 
ind  talents,  and 

Ige. 

nwg  YOU  of  the 
I.  lie  was  ever 
nd  to  render  hit 
A  g^ant  officers 

unounts.  as  near 
ed,  wounded  and. 

tobe,lii«^.  ^ 


ipicmber  ^J'l^  181*' 

battle  of  l^*g»» 
ewer,  who,  being 
enemy.  By  flag; 
h  assured  of  his 
teutenaiit  general 
^  Loritt|.  th^n 
■§  ihil  propoiUiea 


2 Roared,  at  captain  Loring  was  not  wounded*  nor  had  received 
t  slightest  injury,  I  was  willing  to  comply  with  it  on  captain 
Spencer's  account ;  but  as  I  knew  his  wounds  were  severe,  I 
flrst  sent  to  ascertain  the  fact  of  his  being  then  living.  My  mea- 
•cnger,  with  a  flag,  was  detained,  nor  even  once'permittedi  ^^o  se# 
caption  Spencer,  thouKh  in  his  immediate  vicinity.  The  evidence 
I  wished  to  acquire  tailed,  but  my  regard  for  captain  Spencor 
would  not  permit  me  longer  to  delay,  and  I  informed  genenU 
Brummond  that  his  aid  should  be  excHanged  even  for  the  6ody  ^ 
mine.^  This  offer  was  no  doubt  gladly  accepted,  and  the  corpse  eif 
eaptain  Spencer  sent  to  the  American  shore. 
^  Indignant  as  I  am  at  this  ungenerous  procedure,  I  yet  hold 
myself  bound  in  honour  to  lieutenant  general  Drummond  to  re- 
turn captain  Loring ;  and  must  therefore  earnestly  solicit  of  you 
his  immediate  release.  He  can  return  to  lieutenant  general 
Drummond  by  the  way  of  Montreal. 

Very  respectfully,  fitc. 

JACOB  BROWN, 
fion.  Jamei  Monroe. 


mtm 


PRESIDENT'S  MESSAGE  TO  CONGRESS. 

FeUow  eitixens  of  the  SeruUe 
^:  and  of  the  House  of  Representatives  i 

Nothwithstanding  the  early  day  which  had  been  fixed  tor 
your  session  of  the  present  year,  I  was  induced  to  call  you  to- 
gether sooner,  as  well  that  any  inadeqjiacy  in  the  existing  provi- 
'sions  fw  tlie  wants  of  the  Treasury  mi^t  be  supplied,  as  that  no 
delay  mi|^ht  happen  in  providing  for  the  result  of  the  negotiations 
on  foot  with  Great  Britain,  whether  it  should  require  arrangements- 
adapted  to  a  return  of  peace,  or  further  and  more  effective  provi- 
sions for  prosecuting  the  War. 

The  result'is  not  yet  known.  If,  on  one  hand, the  repeal  of  the 
9fders  in  council,  and  the  general  pacification  in  Europe,  which 
wiiitidrew  tiie  occasion  on  which  impressments  from  American 
vessels  were  practised,  suggest  expectations  that  peace  and  anuty 
may  be  re-established,  we  are  compelled,  on  the  other  hand,  b^ 
tlie  refiyisal  of  the  British  government  to  accept  the  offered  medi- 
ation oC  ^e  Emperor  of  Russia ;  by  the  delays  in  givine  effect  to 
its  own  proposu  of  a  direct  negotiation ;  and,  above  aU,  by  the 
principles  and  manner  in  which  the  war  is  now  avowedly  carried 
on,  to  infer  that  a  spirit  of  hostility  is  indulged  more  violent  than 
ever  against  the  rigjnts  and  prosperity  of  this  country. 
^  iTJiis  increased  violence  is  best  explained  by  the  two  important 
circumstances,  tiiat  the  great  contest  in  Europe  for  an  equililuiutn 
guaranteeing  all  its  estates  against  the  ambition  of  any,  has  been 
closed  wlttkout  «ny  check  on  the  oveibearing  power  of  Great  Bih 


■     I; 
f. 


I 


i-  ■  I 


h  .'V  I 


.  I 


\''ii 


^■■3 


U 


P.. 


% 


4» 

tiutt  0n  the  oc«ui  f  and  it  ban  left  in  her  hands  dispotable'emad 
ments  with  which,  forgetting- the  difficulties  cf  a  remote  war  with 
a  free  people,  and  jilldii^  to  the  intoxication  of  svccess,  with 
tiie  example  of  a  sreat  yictim  to  it  before  her  ejes,  she  cherishes 
hopes  oi  stiU  farmer  anrandisung  a  power  aireuidy  formidable  in 
its  abuses  to  the  tranquwfitj  of  the  ciioliKed  and  commercial  world. 

But,;  whatever  may  h^ve  inspired  the  enemj  with  these  more 
ritlent  purposes,  the  public  councils  of  a  naaon«  more  sble  to 
/iuiffitatn  than  it  was  to  acquire  its  independencoi  and  with  ^  de* 
Irotion  to  it  rendered  more  ardent  by  the  experience  of  its  bles- 
•inss,  can  never  deliberate  but  On  the  means  most  effectual  for 
debating  the  exti*  vagant  views  or  unwarrantable  pi3ii'jns  witii 
which  alone  the  war  can  now  bfe  pursued  against  us. 

In  tiie  events  of  tiie  present  campaign,  th«f  eneuiv  ^  with  all  his 
augmented  meanf  and  wanton  use  of  them,  has  litae  ground  for 
exultation,  unless  iie  can  feel  it  in  the  success  of  his  recent  en- 
terprizes  against  this  metropolis  and  the  nei^bouriug  town  of 
Alexandria,  from  both  of  which  his  retreats  were  as  precipitate 
as  his  attempts  were  bold  and  fortunate.  In  his  other  incursions 
on  our  Atlantic  frontier,  his  process  often  checked  and  chastised 
bv  the  martial  spirit  oi  the  ueighborins  citizens,  has  had  more 
mid  in  distressing  individuals,  and  in  dishonoring  his  arms,  than 
in  promotingsunj  wject  of  legitimate  warfare.  And,  in  the  two 
instances  mentioned,  however  deeply  to  be  regretted  on  our  part, 
he  will  find  in  his  transient  success,  which  interrupted  for  a 
moment  only  the  ordinary  public  business  at  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment, no  compensation  for  the  lo88  of  ehataeter  tpith  the  world, 
t^his  violations  of  private  property,  and  by  his  destruction  of  pub- 
lic edifices,  protected,  as  monuments  of  the  arts,  by  the  laws  of 
civiHzed  warfare.  « 

On  our  side,  we  can  appeal  to  a  series  of  achievements  which 
have  ^ven  nt?r  lustre  to  the  American  arms.  Besides  the  bril- 
liant incidents  in  the  minor  operations  of  the  campaign,  the 
mlendid  victmiesgained  on  the  Canadian  side  of  the  Nia^ra,  by 
iMe  American  fwces  under  major  general  Brown,  and  brigadiers 
Scott  and  Gaines,  have  gained  for  titose  heroes,  and  their  emula- 
ting companions,  the  most  unfading  laurels;  and,  having  trium- 
phantly tested  the  progressive  discipline  of  the  American  soldiery, 
nave  taught  the  enemy  that  the  longer  he  |nt»tracts  his  hostile  ef- 
forts, the  more  certain  and  decisive  will  be  his  final  discomfiture. 

On  oar  sonthern  border,  victory  has  continued  also  to  follow  the 
American  standard.  The  bold  and  skilful  operations  of  major 
general  Jaduon,  conducting  troops  dhiwn  from  the  teihtia>of  the 
states  iMst  distant,  particularly  <tf  Tennessee,  have  subdued 
the  principal  trit«s  of  hostile  savages,  and,  by  esti^lishing  a 
tee  witii  them^  preceded  by  recent  and  exemplary  chastisement, 

II  best  guarded  ugainst  the  mischief  of  Iheir  co-operition  with 

le  Briti&  enterpnzes  which  maybe  planned  against  th&t  quarter 
ef  our  country.    Important  tribes  of  Indians  on  our  Aofthwistei^ 


I  i 


433 

iVontier  have  also  acceded  to  stipulations  which  bind  taem  to 
the  intereats  of  the  United  States,  and  to  consider  ourenemj 
at  theirs  also. 

In  the  recent  attempt  of  the  enem^  on  the  citjr  of  Baltimore, 
defended  by  militia  and  volunteers,  aided  by  a  small  body  of  re- 
gulars and  seamen,  he  wai  received  with  a  spirit  which  produced 
a  rapid  retreat  to  his  ships ;  whilst  a  concurrent  attacic  by  a  large 
fleet  was  successfully  n>!:;5ted  by  the  steady  and  well  directed 
fire  of  the  fo^t  and  batteries  opposed  to  it. 

In  another  recent  attack  by  a  powerful  force  on  our  troops  at 
Platt';;burgh,  of  which  regulars  made  a  part  only,  the  enemy,  aftef 
a  perseverance  for  many  hours,  was  finally  compelled  to  seek 
safety  in  a  hasty  retreait,*!  with  our  gallant  bands  pressing  upon 
hira. 

.^  On  the  lakes,  so  much  contested  throughout  the  war,  the  er^t 
wcertions  for  the  command  nrade  on  our  part,  have  been  well  re- 
paid. On  lak^  Ontario  our  squadron  is  now,  and  has  been  for 
some  time,  in  a  condition  to  confine  that  of  the  euemy  to  his  own 
port ;  and  to  favour  the  operations  of  our  land  forces  on  that 
frontier. 

A  part  of  the  squadron  on  lake  Erie  has  been  extended  into 
lake  Huron,  and  has  produced  the  advantwe  of  displaying  our 
command  on  that  lake  also.  One  object  or  the  expedinon  was 
tiie  reduction  of  Mackinaw,  which  failed,  with  the  loss  of  a  few 
brave  men,  among  whom  was  an  officer  justly  distinguished  for 
his  gallant  exploits.  The  expedition,  ably  conducted  oy  both  the 
land  and  naval  commanders,  was  otherwise  h^ly  valuable  in  its 
effects* 

On  lake  Champlain,  where  our  superiority  had  for  some^me 
been  undisputed,  the  British  squadron  lately  cam«  into  action  with 
the  American,  commanded  by  captain  Mucdonough.  It  issued  in 
<'(ie  capture  of  the  whole  of  the  enemar's  shipi.  The  best  praise 
for  this  officer,  and  bib  intrepid  coimdes,  is  in  the  likeness  of  his, 
triumph  to  the  illustrious  victory  which  immortalized  another 
bfficer,  and  established,  at  a  criticu  moment,  our  command  of  an  - 
other  lake. 

dn  the  oceab,  the  pride  of  our  naval  arms  has  been  amply  sap- 
ported.  A  siecond  frigate,  indv.d,  has  fallen  into  the  hands  of 
Ihfb  enemy,  but  the  loss  is  hidden  in  die  blaze  of  hercidm  with 
which  she  was  defended.  Captain  Porter,  who  commanded  her* 
and  w^ose  previous  career  had  been  distinguished  by  dai'inj|  tn- 
lerprize  and  by  fertility  of  genius,  muntalned  a  sanguinaty 
contest  against  two  ships,  one  of  them  superior  to  his  own,  and 
under  otiier  severe  disadvantages,  till  huvumity  tore  down  the  00- 
Umn,  which  valor  had  naikd  to  the  mast,  'fhis  officer  and  his 
brave  comrades,  have  added  muchtothe  rising  glory  of  the  Ameri- 
can flag,  and  have  merited  aUthe  effiisions  ofgratitude  which  t^eir 
countnr  h  ever  ready*to  liestow  on  the  champions  tf  ita  n^j^ 
and  of  its  safety. 


;: 


tf 


V. 


I    I 
i 


,Tt 


i.i 


484 

Two  nnaOer  vMsels  of  war  hare  also  become  prizes  to  tiie 
enemy  ;  but  by  a  superiority  of  force  which  sufficiently  Tindicates 
tiie  reputation  of  their  commanders ;  whilst  two  others,  one  com- 
manded by  captain  Warrington,  the  other  by  captain  Blakely, 
have  captured  British  ships  of  the  same  class,  with  a  gallantry 
aiid  f^ood  conduct  which  entitle  them  and  their  companions  to  a 
jost  share  in  the  praise  of  their  country. 

In  spite  of  the  naval  force  of  the  enemy  accumulated  on  our 

coasts,  our  private  cruizers  have  also  not  ceased  to  annoy  his 

-y*     imerce,  and  to  bring  their  rich  prizes  into  our  ports ;  eontri- 

)ri    in"!  thus,  with  other  proofs,  U  demonstrate  the  incompetency 

<^f:id  illegality  of  a  blockade,  the  proclamation  of  which  is  n;ade 

the  pretext  tor  vexing  and  discouraging  the  commerce  of  neutral 

powers  with  the  United  States. 

To  meet  the  extended  and  diversified  warfare  adopted  by  the 
trnemy,  great  bodies  of  militia  have  been  taken  into  service  for  the 
public  defence,  and  great  expenses  incurred.  That  the  defence 
every  wliere  may  be  ooth  more  convenient  and  more  economical. 
Congress  will  see  the  necessity  of  immediate  measures  for  filling 
the  r''nks  of  the  regular  army,  and  of  enlarging  the  provision  for 
speciial  corps,  mounted  and  unmounted,  to  be  engaged  for  longer 
periods  of  service  than  are  due  from  the  militia,  f  earnestly  re>  < 
new,  at  the  same  tim^  a  recommendation  of  such  changes  in  the 
system  of  the  militia,  as,  by  classing  and  disciplining,  for  the 
most  prompt  and  active  service,  the  portions  most  capable  of  it, 
j^,^ill  give  to  that  creat  resource  for  tlie  public  safety,  all  the  re- 
quisite ener^  ana  efficiency. 

The  monies  received  into  the  Treasury  during  the  nine  months 
ending  on  the  SOth  day  of  June  last,  amounted  to  thirty-two  mil- 
Ifons  of  dollars,  of  which,  near  eleven  millions  were  ^He  proceeds 
of  the  public  revenue,  and  the  remainder  derived  from  loans. 
The  disbursements  for  |4lNic  expenditures  during  the  same  pe- 
riod, exceeded  thirty-four  millions  of  dollars.  The  demands  dur- 
ing the  remainder  of  the  present  year,  already  authorized  by  Con- 
gress, and  the  expenses  incident  to  an  extension  of  the  operations 
of  the  war,  will  render  it  necessary  that  large  sums  would  be 
provided  to  meet  them. 
From  this  view  of  the  national  affairs.  Congress  will  be  ai^ed 
,  to  take  up,  without  delay,  as  well  tlie  subject  of  pecuniary  sup- 
plies, as  that  of  military  force,  and  on  a  scale  commensurate  with 
the  extent  and  the  character  which  the  war  has  assumed.  It  is  not 
to  be  disguised  that  the  situation  of  our  country  calls  for  its 

SeatestewNrts.  Our  enemy  is  powerful  in  men  and  in  mon6y,  on 
e  land  and  on  the  water.  Availinj^  hknself  of  forii.^itous  ad- 
vantages, he  is  aiming,  with  his  undivided  force,  a  deadly  blow 
at  our  growing  prosperity,  oerhaps  at  <var  national  existence.  He 
hpis  avowed  his  purpose  of  tramfdinc  on  the  usages  of  civilized 
wkrfare»  and  ^ven  earnests  of  it  in  tne  plunder  and  wanton  des- 
tmctkni  of  imvate  prc^rty.  in  hit  priae  of  maritime  dominion, 


i'  ;■''■! 


43^ 

and,  in  hit  thirst  of  commereial  monopoly,  he  atrikM  with  peci^r 
liar  animosi^  at  the  progress  of  our  navigation  and  of  our  man- 
ufactures. His  barbarous  policy  has  not  even  spared  those  monu- 
ments of  the  arts  and  models  of  taste  with  which  our  country  had 
enriched  and  embellished  its  infant  metropolis.  From  such  an 
adversary,  hostility*  in  its  greatest  force  and  in  its  worst  form*, 
may  be  looked  for.  The '  American  people  will  face  it  wiUi  the 
undaunted  spirit  which*  in  their  reyoiutionary  struggle,  defeated 
his  unrighteous  projects.  His  .threats  and  his  barbarities,  instead 
of  dismay,  will  kindle  in  every  bosom  an  indignation  not  to  be 
•itinguisned  but  in  the  disa&ter  and  expulsion  orsach  cruel  inva- 
ders. In  providing  the  means  necessary,  the  national  legislature 
will  not  distrusts  the  heroic  and  enlightened  patriotism  of  its  con- 
stituents.  They  will  cheerfully  and  proudly  bear  every  burthen 
of  every  kind  which  the  safety  and  honour  of  the  nation  demand. 
We  have  seen  them  every  where  payii^;  their  taxes,  direct  and 
indirect*  with  the  greatest  promptness  and  alacrity.  We  see  them 
rushing  with.enthusiasm  to  the  scenes  where  danger  and  duty 
call.  In  offering  their  blood,  they  give  the  surest  pledg<i  that  no 
other  tribute  will  be  withheld. 

Having  forborne  to  declare  war  until  to  other  agg^ssions  had 
been  added  the  capture  of  nearly  a  thousand  American  vessels, 
and  the  imprisonment  of  thout  \»  of  American  seafaring  citi- 
xens,  and  until  a  final  declaration  had  been  made  by  the  govern- 
ment of  Great  Britain,  that  her  hostile  orders  against  our  com- 
merce would  not  be  revoked,  but  on  conditions  as  impossible  as 
uiyust ;  whilst  it  was  known  tiiat  these  orders  would  not  otherwise 
cease,  but  with  a  war  which  had  lasted  net^rly  twenty  years,  and 
which,  according  to  appearances  at  that  time,  might  last  as  many 
more ;  baring  manifested,  on  every  occasion,  aM  in  tyttr  pro- 
per mode,  a  sincere  desire  to  arrest  the  eflQision  of  blood,  and 
met  our  enemy  on  the  ground  of  justice  and  reconciliation,  our 
beloved  country,  in  stUlopposing  to  his  persevering  hostility  all 
its  ener^es,  with  an  undiminished  disposition  towards  peace  and 
friendship  on  honourable  terms,  must  carry  with  it  the  sood 
wishes  or  the  impartial  world,  and  the  best  hopes  of  support  from 
an  omnipotent  and  kind  Providence. 

JAMES  MADISON. 
Washington,  aeptmber  20eft,  1814. 


'I  I 

It  I 


f) 


i.  :  I. 


t  '^i 


SIR. 


FOBT  BNB,  September  23d,  1814. 


In  executingthe  4uty  you  have  imposed  on  me,  of  reporting 
the  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  composing  the  left  column, 
which  you  was  pleased  to  place  under  mjf  command,  in  the  8ortU 
of  the  irth  instant,  tlie  pleasure  I  derive  in  representing  to  you  the 
admirable  conduct  of  the  whole,  is  deeply  chastened  by  sorrow' 
for  the  loss  of  many  brave  and  diftinguished  men. 


II 


<! 


4f* 


I  .if  1' 


'M, 


^1' 


lleing  obfited.  from  the  ntture  of  the  grovttd/io  tpt  6n  ilcMt,  it 
Was.  iinpo«f>ibI^  that  my  own  personal  observation  should  reach  to 
ev§r^  officer.  Some  part  oi  this  report  must  therefore  rest  upon 
the  information  of  others. 

Xi  is  the  business  of  tiiis  communication  to  speak  of  the  cou' 
duct  of  indiyiduals  iret  you  will  permit  me  to  premise,  although 
well  known  to  yourself  already,  that  the  object  of  the  left  column 
was  to  penetrate,  b^  a  circuitous  route,  between  the  enemy^s  bat- 
teries, where  one-tlurd  of  his  force  ^as  always  kept  on  duty,  and 
his  main  camp,  and  that  it  was  subdirid*^  into  three  divisions— 
the  advance  of  200  riflemen,  and  a  few  Indians,  commanded  bj 
colonel  Gibson,  and  two  columns  movins  parallel  t^,  And  30  yards 
dist«(nt.from,  each  otiier.  The  richt  cdumn  was  commanded  by 
lieutenant  colonel  Wood,  headedby  400  infantry,  under  major 
Bfook,  of  tlie  i4dd,  and  followed  by  500  volunteers  and  militia, 
being  parts  of  lieutenant  colonels  Dobbin's,  M'Buruey*s  and 
Fleming's  resiments,  and  was  intended  to  attack  ihe  batterlf^s. 

The  left  column  of  500  nulitia„was  commanded  by  brigadier 
general  Davis,  and  comprised  the  commands  of  lieutenant  colo- 
nda.Hop|uui:j  Churchhul  and  Crosby,  and  was  intended  to  hold 
in  check  any  reinforcements  from  the  enemy's  camp ;  or  both 
columns  (circumstances  requiring  it,  which  frequentiy  happened) 
to  co-operate  in  the  same  o^ci. 

After  carrying  by  storm,  in  tiie  haodsomest  style,  a  strong 
block  house,  in  rear  of  the  third  battery,  making  its  garrifton  pri- 
soners, destroying  the  three  S4  pounaers  and  their  carriilgesin 
the  third  battery,  and  blowins  up  the  enemy's  magazine,  and 
after  co-operating  with  general  Miller  in  taking  the  second  bat- 
tery, the  iplant  leaders  of  the  three  divisions  all  fell  neariy  at 
the  same  time ;  colonel  Gibson,  attiie  second  battery,  and  general 
Davis  and  lieutenant  coionel' VTood  in  an  assualt  upon  the 
first. 

Brigadier  general  Davis,  altiiou^  a  militia  officer  of  litUe  ex- 

Krience,  conducted  on  this  occasion  with  all  the  coolness  and 
lyeryof  a  veteran,  and  fell  while  advancing  upon  the  enemy's 
entrenchments.  His  loss  as  a  citizen  as  well  as  a  soldier,' will  be 
severely  felt  in  the  patriotic  county  of  Genessee.  Colonel  Gibson 
fully  sustained  the  hirii  military  reputation,  which  he  had  before 
so  justly  acquired.  You  know  how  exalted  an  ofHnion  I  have 
always  entertuned  of  lieutenart  cfrfonel  Wood  of  the  enjgineers. 
His  conduct  on  this  day  was  what  it  uniformly  has  been,  on 
every  similar  occasion,  on  an  exhibition  of  military  skill,  acute 
judgment,  and  heroic  valor.  Of  the  other  regular  officers, 
lieutenmit  tolonel  M*Donald  and  miyor  Brook,  seiuor  in  com- 
mand, will  report  to  you  in  relation  to  their  respective  divhibns. 
Permit  me,  however,  to  say  of  these  two  officers,  thai,  much  as 
was  left  ta  them  by  the  fall  ai  their  distinguished  leaders,  they 
were  able  to  sustain  their  parts  in  the  most  admind>le  mwiiier, 
and  they  richly  deserve  the  notice  of  the  government. 


M 


497 

Of  the  militift,  I  regret  that  the  limite  of  a  report  will  not  per* 
mit  me  even  to  name  all  of  those,  who  on  this  occasion  establiahed 
claim-^  to  the  jgratitude  of  their  fellow  citizens ;  much  less  to  par 
tirttlariz,e  individual  merit  Lieutenant  colonels  Hopkins,  M'onr- 
ney,  Churchhill  and  Crosby,  and  majors  Lee,  Marcle,  Wilson, 
Lawrence,  Burr,  Dunham,  Kellogg,  and  Oanson,  are  entitled  to 
the  highest  praise  for  their  gallant  conduct,  their  steady  and  per- 
severing exertions:  Lieutenant  colonel  Dobbin  beine  prevented 
by  severe  indisposition  hrom  taking  the  field,  major  Hul,  assistant 
inspector  general,  volunteered  his  services  to  join  miyor  Lee  in 
the  command  of  the  volunteer  reeiment ;  and  major  Lee  and 
every  other  officer  speaks  in  the  hi^est  terms  of  the  gallant  and 
good  conduct  of  this  young  officer. 

Captain  Fleming;,  who  commanded  the  Indians,  was,  as  he  always 
is,  in  the  front  of  the  battle.  There  is  not  a  more  intrepid  soldier 
in  the  army.  I  should  be  ungrateful  were  I  to  omit  tiie  names  of 
captadna  Knapp  and  Hull  of  the  volunteers,  and  captain  Parker 
and  lieutenant  Chatfleld  of  the  militia,  by  whose  intrepidity  I 
was.  durii^the  action,  extricated  from  the  most  unpleasant  situa- 
tion. Captains  Richardson,  Buel  and  Kennedy,  lieutenants  Park- 
hurst  and  Brown,  and  adjutants  Dobbin,  Bates  and  Robinson, 
particularly  dbtincnished  themselves.  The  patriotic  conduct  of 
captain  EUiot,  witn  twenty  voung  centlemen,  who  volunteered 
from  Batavia,  and^of  major  HuUmu^  with  fourteen  men,  exempt- 
ed by  age  from  military  duty,  should  not  be  tiriHted.  They  were 
conspicuous  during  the  action. 

You  will  excuse  me  if  I  shall  seem  partial  in  speaking  of  my 
own  fataiily,  consisting  of  my  bricadem^or  Frazer,  mv  volunteer 
aid-de-camp  Riddle,  ^th  first  ueutenants  in  the  15tn  infantry  1 
captain  Bigg;er  of  the  Canadian  volunteers^  Messrs.  Williams  ana 
Delapierre,  volunteer  aids  for  the  day,  all  of  whom^  excqpt  Mr. 
Williams,  were  wounded. 

'  Lieutenants  Frazer  and  lUddle  were  engaged  for  most  of  the 
preceding  day  with  fatigue  parties,  cuttins  roads  for  the  advance 
of  the  cmnmn  through  the  swamp,  and  falling  timber  to  the  rear, 
and  within  150  ya^s  of  the  enemy's  ri^ht :  which  service  they 
executed  with  so  much  address  as  to  avoid  discovery ;  and  on  the 
Sttcceediiq;  day  they  conducted  the  two  columns  to  the  attack. 
Frazer  was  severely  wounded  hy  a  musket  ball  while  spiking  a 
gun  on  the  second -battery.  IMddle,  after  the  first  battery  was 
carried,  descended  into  the  enemy's  manizine,  and  after  securing 
(with  the  assistance  of  quarter  master  Greene  of  the  volunteers, 
whose  good  conduct  deserves  much  praise)  a  quantity  of  fixed  am- 
munition,blew  up  tiie  magazine  and  suffered  severely  by  tiie  explo- 
sion. I  must  solicit,  Dirongh^on,  s*^  the  attention  of  the  ^neral 
government  to  these  meritorious  young  men.  Captain  Bigger  is 
an  excellent  officer,  and  rendered  me  much  assistance,  but  was 
dangerously  wounded.  The  other  young  gentlemen  are  citizens, 
aAd  deserve  much  eredit  f6r  their  activity,  and  for  having  volunta- 


r. ' 

I*' 


I 


1;* 


1  S'l 

■1      a 


■■^^ 


I  ■:'. 


'!!» 


'  R 


4M 

rilj  Mieountered  cUBcer.    Mj  aid-de-cuap.  miyor  Dox,  wu  co^r 
Aned  at  BulRilo  bj  nckneu. 

On  the  whole,  iir.  I  can  ny  of  the  regular  troops  attached  tu  the 
left  column,  of  the  veteran  volunteen  of  lieutenant  colonel  Dob- 
bin's regiment,  that  every  man  did  his  dutj,  and  ^eir  conduct  on 
this  occasion  reflects  a  new  lustre  on  their  former  brilliant 
achievements.  To  the  militia,  the  compliment  is  justly  due,  and 
I  could  pav  them  no  greater  one,  than  to  sav,  that  they  were  not 
surpassed  by  the  heroes  of  Chippewa  and  Niagara  in  steadiness  • 
and  bravery. 

The  studied  intricacv  of  the  enemy's  deiences,  consisting  not 
only  of  the  breast-work  connecting  their  batteries,  but  of  sue* 
cessive  lines  of  entrenchments  tor  a  hundred  yards  in  the  rear* 
covering  the  batteries  and  enfiladinjr  each  other,  and  the  whole 
obstructed  by  abattis,  brush  and  felled  timber,  wm  calculated  to 
produce  contusion  among  the  assailants,  and  led  to  several  con- 
tests at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  But  by  our  double  columns  and 
temporary  irregularity  in  the  one,  was  always  eorrected  by  the 
other.  Our  success  would  probably  have  been  more  complete,  but 
for  the  rain  which  unfortunately  set  in  soon  after  we  commenced 
our  march,  which  rendered  the  fire  of  many  of  our  muskets  use- 
less, and  by  obscuring  the  sun,  led  to  several  unluckv  mistakes. 
As  an  instance  of  this,  a  body  of  50  prisoners  who  had  surren- 
dered, were  ordered  to  liie  fort  in  charge  of  a  subaltern  and  14 
volunteers ;  the  officer  mistaking  this  direction,  conducted  them  to* 
wards  the  Britbh  camp  in  the  route  by  which  we  had  advanced, 
and  they  were  re-taken  witii  the  whole  of  ^e  guard,  eptcepting 
the  officer  and  one  man,  who  fought  their  way  back.  Several  of  our 
8trag|^ers  were  made  prisoners  by  the  same  mbtake.  But,  sir, 
notwithstanding  these  accidents,  we  have  reason  to  rejoieeatour 
signal  success,  in  inflicting  a  vasUy  disproportionate  injury  on  the 
enemy,  and  in  wholly  defeating  all  his  plans  of  operation  agsinst 
this  army. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
P.  B.  PORTER, 
Brig,  Otn,  eomdg,  votuwtun  attd  militvn, 
Major  Genersl  Brown,  Commandini^  ttc, 

AVimes  and  rank  of  tJu  offieert  kilUdt  wounded^  and  miaiing. 

Rilled — ^lieutenant  colonel  E.  D.  Wood,  captain  and  brevet  lieu- 
tenant colonel  of  engineers;  captain  L.  Bradford,  Slst  infantry ; 
caotain  H.  Hale,  lltli  infantry ;  captiun  L.  G.  A.  Armstead,  1st 
rinemen.  y 

Wounded— Staff*,  brigadier  g^aeral  Ripley.  Sd  brigade,  dange- 
rously, shot  through  the  aeck ;  Ui  lieutenant  Crawford,  11th  in« 
fantry ;  brijgade  major  Ist  brigade,  slightly,  shot  in  the  arm ;  9th 
infantry,  lieutenat  colonel  Aspin wall,  severly,  lefl  arm  ampu^ 
tated  ;  captain  Ingersd,  slig^tlV,  in  the  head  »  1st  lieutenant  E 
Childs,  severely,  bayonet  woiina  thrpugh  the  thijg^ ;  1 1th  infantry 


4Si 

lit  Uentamnt  W.  F.  Hal«,  daneerotttlj,  shot  in  tht  body ;  9A 
Heotenant  I.  Clarke,  leverel^  in  the  body  ;  3d  lieutenant  Steven- 
son, seTerely,  through  the  thirii ;  3d  lieutenant  Davis,  dangerous- 
Iv,  through  the  body }  19th  infantry,  m^or  Trimble,  dancerously. 
shot  through  thebooj;  ensign  Neely,  slightly,  shot  in  the  thigh ;  81st 
infantry,  ensi^Cummings,  severely,  in  the  arm ;  S3d  infantry,  1st 
lieutenant  Brown,  slightly,  in  the  arm;  ensign  0*Flin|;,  mortally, 
since  dead )  1st  rifletoien,  captain  Ramsey,  severely,  in  the  groin ; 
9d  lieutenant  Cobb,  severely,  in  the  body ;  4th  riflemen,  colonel 
James  Oibson,  mortally,  since  dead  ;  1st  lieutenant  Grant,  severe 
wounds  in  the  arm  and  side 

Missinf^lst  lieutenant  Ballard,  adjutant  4th  riflemen,  pri' 
soner. 


Belknap,  of  lieutenant  colonel  Flemming's  regi- 
ment; ensign  Blakely,  of  lieutenant  colonel  M*Burney*s  regi- 
ment. 

Wounded — Staff,  mi^or  general  P.  B.  Porter,  sword  wotind  in 
the  hand;  1st  lieutenant  Frazer,  13th  infantrv,  brigade  major, 
teverelr,  in  the  leg;  1st  lieutenant  Riddle,  15th infantry,  acting 
as  aid-ae-camp,  slight  contusion  ;  captain  Bigger,  New  York  vo- 


Bailej,  in  the  side ;  lieutenant  colonel'  M'Burney' 
regiment— captain  Hale,  wounded  and  prisoner ;  lieutenant  co- 
lonel Hopkins*  regiment — ^lieutenant  Gillet,  through  the  thigh. 

Missing— lieutenant  colonel  W.  L.  ChurcMiill ;  mi^or  E.  Wil- 
son ;  quarter  master  O.  Wilcox  ;  captain  Crouch ;  captain  Case ; 
lieutenant  Case ;  ensign  Chambers ;  ensign  Clark ;  ensign  Church, 
prisoners. 


it 


SIR, 


TORT  M*HENRY,  September  34th,  1814, 


A  severe  indisposition,  the  effect  of  great  fatigue  and  expo- 
sure, has  prevented  me  heretofore  from  presenting  you  with  an 
account  of  (he  attack  on  this  post.  On  the  night  of  ^turday  the 
10th  instant,  the  British  fleet,  consisting  of  ships  of  the  line,  heavy 
frigates  and  bomb  vessels,  amounting  in  the  whole  to  30  sail,  ap- 
peared at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Patapsco,  with  every  indication 
of  an  attempt  upon  the  city  of  Baltimore.  My  own  force  con- 
sisted of  one  compnoy  of  United  States*  artillery,  under  captun 
Evans*,  and  two  companies  of  sea-fencibles,  und'er  captains  Bun- 
bury  and  Addison.  Uf  these  three  companies,  35  men  were  un- 
fortunately on  tihe  sick  list,  and  unfit  for  duty.  I  had  been  fur'' 
nished  witn  two  companies  of  volunteer  artillery  from  the  city  of 
Bftltimere  under  captain  Berry  and  lieutenant  commandant  Pen- 


^H 


i.i 


!■ 


f  'H 


'<,.  * 


I  - 


'I 
if 

I, 


si- 


-       440 

•ington.  To  tkeM  I  mutt  add  another  vtry  ttne  compaiiT  of 
▼olunteor  artilleritts,  under  judge  Nichultont  who  had  proffered 
their  aervicet  to  aid  in  the  defence  of  this  pott  whenever  an  attack 
might  be  apprehended ;  and  also  a  detachment  from  eominodor* 
Barney's  notilla,  under  lieutenant  Redman.  Brigadier  ceneral 
Winder  had  alto  furnished  me  with  about  600  infantry,  under  the 
command  of  lieutenant  colonel  Stewart  and  miyor  Lane»  consist* 
in|j;  of  detachments  from  the  12th,  14th,  36th,  and  38th  regimentff 
orUnited  States'  troops— the  otal  amounting  to  about  1000 
effective  men. 

On  Monday  morning,  very  early,  it  was  perceived  that  the  ene- 
my  was  landing  troops  on  the  east  side  of  the  Patapsco,  distance 
aliout  ten  miles.  During  that  day  and  the  ensuing  night,  he  had 
brought  sixteen  ships  (including  five  bomb  ships)  within  about 
two  miles  and  a  half  of  this  fort*  I  had  arrangMi  my  force  as 
follows:— the  regular  artillerists  under  captain  Evans,  and  the 
volunteers  und^r  captain  Nicholson,  manned  the  bastions  in  tho 
Star  Fort  Captains  Bunbury's,  Addison's,  Rodman's,  Berry's, 
and  lieutenant  commandant  PenninKton's  commands  were  sta- 
tioned on  the  lower  works,  and  the  in»ntry .  under  lieutenant  colo- 
nel Stewart  and  major  Lane,  were  in  the  outer  ditch,  to  meet  the  , 
enemy  at  his  landing,  should  he  attempt  one. 

On  Tuesday  morning,  about  sun-rise,  the  enemy  commenced 
the  attack  from  his  five  bomb  vessels,  at  the  distance  of  about 
two  miles,  and  kept  up  an  incessant  and  well  directed  bombard- 
ment. We  immediately  opened  our  batteries,  and  kept  up  a  brisk 
fire  from  our  guns  ^nd  mortars,  but  unfortunately  our  shot  and 
shells  all  fell  considerably  short  of  him.  This  was  to  me  a  most 
distressing  circumstance ;  as  it  left  us  exposed  to  a  conntant  and 
tremendous  shower  of  shells,  without  the  most  remote  possibility 
4}f  our  doing  him.  the  slightest  injury.  It  affords  me  the  highest 
gratification  to  state,  that  thoozh  we  were  left  thus  exposed,  and 
thus  inactive,  not  a  man  shrunk  from  the  conflict 

About  two  o'clock  P.  M.  one  of  the  S4  pounders  of  the  south- 
west bastion,  under  the  immediate  command  of  captain  Nichol- 
son, was  dismounted  by  a  shell,  the  explosion  from  which  killed 
his  second  lieutenant,  and  wounded  several  of  his  men;  the  bus- 
tle necessarily  produced  in  removing  the  wounded  and  replacing 
the  gun,  inrobably  induced  the  enemy  to  suspect  we  were  in  a 
state  of  concision,  as  he  brought  in  three  of  his  bomb  sliiiM,  to 
what  I  believed  to  be  good  striking  distance.  ^  I  immediately  or- 
dered a  fire  to  be  opened,  which  was  obe>ed  with  alacrity  throu^ 
the  whole  garrison,  and.  in  half  an  hour  those  intruders  again  sliel- 
tered  themselves  by  withdrawing  beyond  our  reach.  We  gave 
three  cheers,  and  again  ceased  firing— l*he  enemy  continued 
throwing  shells,  witli  one  or  two  slight  intermissions,  till  one 
o'clock  in  the  mohiing  of  Wednesday,  when  it  was  discovered 
that  he  had  availed  himself  of  the  darkness  of  tiie  nig^t,  and  had 
throw'n  a  considerable  force  above  to  onr  right;  they  had  ap|Hroach^ 


ii  ii^y'h.   I 


44t 

ed  rtrj  netr  to  Fort  Covington,  when  they  began  to  throw 
rockets;  intended,  I  preiiume,  to  give  them  an  opportunitr  ot 
examining  the  shores— as  I  have  since  understood,  they  had  de- 
tached 1250  picked  men,  with  scaling  ladders,  for  the  purpose  of 
storming  this  fort.  We  once  more  had  an  opportunity  of  opening 
our  batteries,  and  kept  up  a  continued  blaze  fur  nearly  two  hours, 
which  had  the  effect  again  to  drive  them  off. 

Injustice  to  lieutenant  Newcomb,  of  the  United  States'  navy, 
who  commanded  at  fort  Covington,  with  a  detachment  of  sailors, 
and  lieutenant  A^  ebster,  of  the  flotilla,  who  commanded  the  six 
gun  battery  near  that  fort,  I  ousht  to  state,  that  during  this  time 
tney  kept  up  an  animated,  and  I  believe,  a  very  destructive  '*  -e,  to 
which  I  am  persuaded,  we  are  much  indejted  m  repulsing  .'  .  en- 
emy. One  of  his  sunken  barges  has  since  bc^n  founcf  with  two  dead 
men  in  it ;  others  have  been  seen  floating  in  the  river,  l^ie  only 
means  we  had  of  directing  our  guns,  wa>  by  the  blaze  of  tleir  rock- 
ets, and  the  flashes  of  their  guns.  Had  thev  ventured  to  the  same 
situation  in  the  day  time,  not  a  man  would  have  escaped. 

The  bombardment  continued  on  the  part  ot  the  onemy  until  7 
o'clock  on  Wednesday  morning,  when  i;  ceaseti,  and  t''mt9, 
their  ships  got  under  weigh,  and  stood  down  the  river,  "'uring 
the  botabardment,  which  Uisted  25  hours  (with{two  slight  \i)  ermis- 
sions)  from  the  bftst  calculation  I  can  make,  ^«'om  1£>  to  1800 
shells  were  thrown  by  the  enemy.  A  few  of  th<  ic  cell  short.  A 
laive  proportion  burst  over  us,  throwing  their  frajmeiits  among  us, 
ana  threatening  destruction.  Many  passed  over,  and  about  400 
fell  within  the  works.  Two  of  the  public  buildings  are  materially 
injured,  the  others  but  slightly.  I  am  happy  to  inform  you  (won- 
derful as  it  may  appear)  that  our  loss  amounts  only  to  four  men 
killed,  and  84  wounded.  The  latter  will  all  '  ecover.  Amons 
the  killed,  I  have  to  lament  the  loss  of  lieutenant  Clagget,  ana 
sergeant  Clemm,  both  of  captain  Nicholson's  volunteers;  two 
men  whose  fate  is  to  be  deplored,  not  only  for  their  personal  bra- 
very, but  for  their  high  standing,  amiable  demeanor,  and  spotless 
integrity  in  private  lue.  Lieutenant  Russel,  of  the  company  un- 
der lieutenant  Pennington,  receivei^  early  in  the  attack,  a  severe 
contusion  in  the  heal ;  notwithstan^  i>^  wiiich  he  remained  at  his 
post  during  the  whole  bombardment. 

Were  I  to  name  an^  individuals  who  signalized  themselves,  it 
would  be  doing  injustice  to  others.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  every 
officer  and  soldier  under  my  command  did  their  duty  to  my  entire 
satisfaction. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

G.  ARMISTEAD,  Lt.  Col  a  8.  A, 
The  SecreUry  of  War. 

HEAD  QUARTERS,  CAMP  FORT  ERIE,  September  29th,  1814, 

SIR, 

In  my  letter  of  tl'.e  18th  instant  I  briefly  informed  you  of  the 
fortunate  issue  of  the  sortie^  which  took  place  the  day  preceding, 

56 


il 


r  I 


)l 


fit 


442 


But  it  is  due  to  the  gallant  officers  and  men,  to  whose  bravery  we 
are  indebted  for  our  success  on  this  occasion,  that  I  should  g^ve. 
you  a  more  circumstantial  and  detailed  account  of  this  affair. 

The  enemy's  camp  I  had  ascertained  to  be  situated  in  a  field,, 
surrounded  by  woods,  nearly  two  miles  distant  from  their  batteries 
and  entrenchments,  the  inject  of  which  was  to  keep  the  parts  of 
their  force  which  was  not  upon  duty,  out  of  the  range  of  our  ftre 
from  Fort  Erie  and  Black  Block.  Their  infantry  was  formed  intis 
three  brigades,  estimated  at  12  or  1500  men  each.  One  of  these 
brigades,  with  a  detail  from  their  artillery,  wa^  stationed  at  their 
works,  (these  being  but  500  yards  distant  from  old  Fort  Erie,  and 
the  riffht  of  our  line.)  We  had  already  suffered  much  from  the 
fire  of  two  of  their  batteries,  and  were  aware  that  a  third  was 
about  to  open  upon  us.  Under  these  circumstances,  I  resolved  to 
storm  the  batteries,  destroy  tiie  cannon,  and  rouehly  handle  the 
brigade  upon  duty,  before  those  in  reserve  could  l>e  brought  into 
action. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th,  the  infantry  and  riflemen,  regu- 
lars and  militia,  were  ordered  to  be  paraded  and  put  in  readiness 
to  march  precisely  at  12  o'clock.  General  Porter  with  the  volun- 
teers, colonel  Gibson  with  the  riflemen,  and  major  Brooks  with 
the  23d  and  21st  infantry,  and  a  fcfw  dragoons  acting  as  infantry, 
were  ordered  to  move  from  the  extreme  left  of  our  position,  upon 
the  enemy's  right,  by  a  jpassage  opened  through  the  woods  for  the 
occasion.  General  Miller  was  directed  to  station  his  command 
in  the  ravine,  which  lies  between  fort  Erie  and  the  enemy's  bat- 
teries, by  passing  them  by  detachments  throuidi  the  skirts  of  the 
wood,  and  the  21st  infantry,  under  general  Ripley,  was  posted 
as  a  corps  of  reserve  between  tlie  new  bastions  of  fort  Ene :  all 
under  cover  and  out  of  the  view  of  the  enemy. 

About  20  minutes  before  3  P.  M,  I  found  the  left  columns,  un- 
der the  command  of  eeneral  Porter,  which  were  destined  to  turn 
the  enemy's  ridit,  within  a  few  rods  of  ^e  British  entrenchments* 
They  were^  ordered  to  advance  and  commence  the  action.  Pass- 
ing down  the  ravine,  I  judged  from  the  report  of  musketry;  that 
the  action  hiid  ^^ommenced  on  our  left ;  I  now  hastened  to  seneral 
Miller  and  directed  him  to  seize  the  moment  and  pierce  the  ene- 
my's entrenchments  between  batteries  No.  2  and  3.  My  orders 
were  promptly  and  ably  executed.  Within  SO  minutes  after  the 
first  eun  was  fired,  batteries  No.  3  and  2,  the  enemy's  line  of  en- 
trenchments, and  his  two  block  houses,  were  in  our  possession. 
Soon  after,  battery  No.  I  was  abandoned  by  the  British.  The 
guns  in  each  were  spiked  by  us,  or  otherwise,  destroyed,  an(i  the 
magazine  of  No,  3  was  blown  up, 

A  few  minutes  before  the  explosion,  I  had  ordered  up  the  re- 
serve under  general  Ripley.  Aa  he  passed  me  at  the  head  of  his 
column*  I  desired  him,  as  he  would  be  the  senior  in  advance,  to 
ascertain,  ^s  near  ab  possible,  the  situation  of  the  troops  in  ge- 


?»' 


1  .■,>,,  it 


f  fort  Ene :  all 


443 

fleial,  and  to  liave  a  care  that  not  more  was  hazarded  than  the 
occasion  required ;  that,  the  object  of  the  sortie  effected,  the 
troops  would  retire  in  good  order,  &c.  General  Ripley  passed 
rapidly  on ;  soon  after,  I  became  alarmed  for  general  Miller,  and 
sent  an  order  for  the  2l8t  to  hasten  to  his  support  towards  battery 
No  1.  Colonel  Upham  received  the  order,  and  advanced  to  the 
dd  of  general  Miller.  General  Ripley  had  inclined  to  the  left, 
where  major  Brooks'  command  was  en^ed,  with  a  view  of  mak- 
ing some  necessary  enquiries  of  that  officer,  and  in  the  act  of  do- 
ing so,  was:  unfortunately  wounded*  By  this  time,  the  object  oif 
the  sortie  was  accomplished  beyond  my  most  sanguine  expecta- 
tions. General  Miller  had  consequently  ordered  tlie  troops  oil 
the  right  to  fall  back ;  observing  this  movement,  I  sent  my  staff 
along  the  line  to  call  in  the  other  corps.  Within  a  few  mmutes 
they  retired  from  the  ravine,  and  from  thence  to  camp. 

Thus,  one  thousand  regulars  and  an  equal  portion  ci  militia,  in 
one  hour  of  close  action,  blasted  the  hopes  of  the  enemy,  des- 
troyed the  fruits  of  fifty  days  labour,'  and  diminised  his  dflfective 
force  1000  men  at  least.  I  am  at  a  loss  how  to  express  my 
satisfaction  at  the  gallant  conduct  bf  the  officers  and  men  of  this 
division,  whose  valor  has  shone  superior  to  every  trial.  General 
l^orter,  in  his  official  report  herein  inclosed,  has  very  properly  no- 
ticed those  patriotic  citizens  who  h&ve  done  so  much  honour  to 
themselves,' by  freely  and  voluntarily  tendering  their  services  at 
a  dangerous  and  critical  period. 

As  the  scene  of  action  was  in  a  ^vood,  in  advance  of  the  posi- 
tion I  had  chosen  for  directing  the  movements  of  the  whole,  the  - 
several  reports  of  commandants  of  corps,  must  guide  me  in  no- 
ticing individuals. 

General  Miller  mentions  lieutenant  colonel  Aspinwall,  lieute* 
nant  colonel  Beedle,  major  Trimble,  captain  Hull,  captain  In^r- 
soll,  lieutenant  Crawford,  lieutenant  Lee,  and  partieularljf  ensigjn 
O'Fling,  as  entitied  to  distinction. 

Lieutenant  colonel  M*Donald,  upon  whom  the  command  of  the 
rifle  corps  devolved,  upon  the  fall  of  the  brave  and  generous 
OiAson,  names  adjutants  Shortridge  of  the  Ist,  and  Ballard  of 
the  4th  regiments,  as  deserving  the  hi^est  applause  for  their 
promptness  and  gallantry  in  communicating  orders.  Of  the  other 
officers  of  the  corps,  he  reports  generally,  that  the  bravery  and 
good  conduct  of  all  was  so  conspicttott8,a8  to  render  it  impossible 
to  discriminate. 

Miyor  Brooks,  to  whom  much  credit  is  due  for  the  distinguished 
manner  in  which  he  executed  the  orders  he  received,  sMaks  in 


If 


i!.>:   W  I 


m 


p 


"m 

I 


\   '■  I:- 


the  1st  infantry,  and  KeutciMiit  Watt8»  of  the  «lragt)Dnt 


I 


n:-: 


Bt 


.'?!» 


mi- 


if" 

is 


%. 


444 

jLieutenant  Colonel  .Upham,  who  took  commafld  ef  the  reterre 
after  general  Ripley  was  disabled,  bestows  grt^at  praiat  upon  miyor 
Ghambers,  of  the  4th  regiment  of  riflemen,  attached  to  the  91st 
infantry,  as  also  upon  captain  Bradford  and  lieutenant  Holding 
ci  that  regiment. 

My  staff,  colonel  Snelling,  colonel  Gardner,  major  Jones,  and 
my  aids-de->camp,  major  Austin  and  lieutenant  Armstrong,  were», 
as  usual,-  zealous,  intelligent  and  active ;  they  performed  every 
duty  required  of  them  to  my  entire  satisfaction. 

Major  Hall,  assistant  inspector  general,  led  a  battalion  of  mi- 
litia, and  conducted  with  skill  and  gallantry.  Lieutenant  Kirby, 
Md-de-camp  to  general  Ripley,  was  extremely  active  and  useful 
during  the  time  he  was  in  action. 

Lieutenants  Frazer  and  Riddle  were  in  general  Porter's  Staff; 
their  bravery  was  conspicuous,  and  no  officirs  of  their  grade  were 
more  useful. 

The  corps  of  artillery,  commanded  by  migor  Hindman,  which 
has  been  ^0. eminently  distinguished  throu^out  this  campai^, 
had  no  opportunity  of  taking  a  part  in  the  sorde.  The  25th  in- 
fantry,, under  colonel  Jessup,  was  stationed  iif  fort  Erie  to  hold 
the  key  of  our  position. 

Colonel  Bracfy,  on  whose  firmness  and  good  conduct  every  re- 
liance could  be  placed,  was  on  command  at  Buffalo  with  the  re<^ 
mains  of  the  22a  infantry.  Lieutenant  colonel  M'Ree  and  lieu- 
tenant colonel  Wood,  of  the  corps  of  engineers,  having  rendered 
to  this  army  services  the  most  important,  I  must  aeiite  the  oppor- 
tunitjr  of  again  mentioning  them  particularly.  On  every  trying 
occasion,  I  liave  reaped  much  benefit  from  their  sound  and  excel- 
lent advice.  No  two  officers  of  their  grade  could  have  contributed 
more  to  the  safety  and  honour  of  this  army.  Wood,  brave,  gene- 
rous and  enterprising,  died  as  he  had  lived,  without  a  feeling  but 
for  the  honour  of  his  country  and  glory  of  her  arms.  His  name 
and  example  will  live  to  guide  the  soldier  in  the  path  of  duty  so 
long  as  true  heroism  is  held  in  estimation.  M*Ree  lives  to  enjoy 
the  approbation  of  every  virtuous  and  generous  mind,  and  to  re- 
ceive tne  reward  due  to  his  services  and  high  military  talents. 

It  is  proper  here  to  notice,  that  idthougn  but  one-third  of  the 
enemy's  force  was  on  duty  when  his  woHcs  were  carried,  the 
whole  were  brought  into  action  while  we  were  employed  in  des- 
troying his  eannon.  We  secured  prisoners  from  seven  of  his  reg;i- 
ments,  and  know  that  the  6th  and  82d  suffered  severely  in  kil^ 
and  wounded,  yet  these  regiments  were  net  upon  duty. 

Lieutenant  general  Drummond  broke  up  ms  camp  durii^  the 
nifl^t  of  the  21st,  and  retired  to  his  entrenchments  behind  the 
Chippewa.  A  part  of  our  men  came  up  with  the  rear  of  his 
army  at  Frenchman's  creek  I  the  enemy  destroyed  part  of  their 
stores,  by  setting  fire  to  the  buildings  from  which  they  were  em- 
ployed in  conveying  them.    We  found  in  and  a^ut  the  camp,  a 


44# 

opDsiderable  quantity  of  cannon  ball,  and  upwards  of  one  hundred 
;|tand  of  am)i}. 

I  send  jon  enclosed  herein,  a  return  of  our  los:s.  The  return 
of  •prisoners  enclosed,  does  not  include  the  stragglers  that  came 
in  after  the  action.  j, 

'  I  TOve  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

JACOB  BROWN. 
Hon.  S«cr«taiy  of  mi!. 


.{'■.[.■' 


•««» 


A  H.  Q.  CAMP  FORT  ERIE,  October  1st,  1814. 

Looking  over  my  official  account  of  the  action  of  the  17tli 
ultimo,  I  find  that  the  names  of  the  regiments  which  composed 
generd  Miller's  command  have  not  been  given.  As  I  believe  it 
even  more  important  to  distinguish  corps  than  individuals,  I 
am  anxious  to  correct  this  mistake.  General  Miller  on  that  day 
commanded  the  remains  of  the  9th  and  11th  infantry  and  a  de- 
tachment of  tiie  19th.  Of  three  field  officers  who  were  attached 
to  them,  two  were  severely  wounded ;  lieutenant  colonel  Aspin- 
wall  of  the  9th,  gallantly  leading  his  men  to  the  attack  upon  the 
enemy's  entrenchments ;  and  major  Trimble,  of  the  I9th,  who 
was  shot  within  their  works,  conducting  with  great  skill  and  bra- 
very. A  detachment  of  the  17th  regiment  was  attached  to  the 
;  2l8t. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
JACOB  BROWN. 
Hon.  SecHttaiy  of  War. 


PRIVATEER  GENERAL  ARMSTRONG. 

FAYAL,  October  4th,  1814! 
SIR, 

With  infinite  regret  I  am  constrained  to  say,  it  has  eventualljr 
fallen  to  my  lot  to  state  to  you  the  loss  and  destruction  of  the 
private  armed  brig  General  Armstrong,  late  under  my  command. 
We  sailed  from  Sandv  Hook  on  the  evening  of  the  9th  ultimo, 
and  about  midnight  fell  jn  chase,  aboard  of  a  razee  and  ship  qt 
the  line.  They  pursued  till  next  day  noon,  when  they  thought 
prqier  togive  over  the  chase.  On  the  1 1th,  after  a  nine  hours'  chace. 


day  fell  in  with  an  enemy's  gun  brig; 
and  left  him.    On  the  24th,  ooarded  a  Spani^  brig  and  schooner, 
ttud  a  Portuguese  ship,  all  from  toe  Havanna.    On  the  26th  fol- 
lowing, came  to  in  Fayal  Roads,  for  the  purpose  of  filling  watery 
called  on  the  American  consul  who  very  politely  ordered  our  wa- 
ter ii^mediately  s^nt  off,  it  bcin«  our  intention  to  proceed  to  s<a 


r  K 


I 

•HI 


M; 


!■  ir 


':'il 


446 

^aik-Iy  the  next  day.  At  5  P.  M.  I  went  on  board,  the  consul  anti 
some  other  gentlemen  in  company.  I  asked  some  questions  con- 
cerning enemy's  cruizera,  and  was  told  there  had  been  none  at 
these  islands  ror  several  weeks ;  jyhen  about  dusk,  while  we  weri; 
examining,  the  British  brig,  CarMlion,  suddenly  hovein sight  close 
under  the  north-east  head  of  tf%  harbor,  within  gun-shot  when 
first  discovered.  The  idea  of  getting  under  weigh  was  instantL/ 
suggested ;  but  finding  the  enemy's  erig  had  the  advantage  of  a 
breeze,  and  bu^  little  wind  with  us,  it  was  thought  d  a'tttul  if  w« 
should  be  able  iO  get  to  sea  without  hazarding  an  action.  I  ques- 
tioned the  cr  asm  to  know  if  in  his  opinion  the  enemy  would  re- 
gard ;the  neutra'Icy  of  the  portP  He  gave  me  to  understand  I 
might  make  myself  perfectly  easy,  assuring  me  at  the  same  time, 
they  would  never  molest  us  whife  at  anchor.  But  no  sooner  did 
the  enemy's  brig  understand  from  the  pilot  boat  who  we  were,  than 
she  immediately  hauled  close  in  and  let  go  her  anchor  within 
pistol  shot  of  us :  at  the  samemloment  the  Plantagenet,  and  frigate 
Rota,  hove  in  sight,  to  whom  the  Carnation  instantly  made  signal, 
and  a  constant  foterchange  took  place  for  some  time. 

The  result  was,  the  Carnation  proceeded  to  throw  out  all  he# 
boats ;  despatched  on  board  the  commodore,  and  appeared  other- 
wise to  be  making  unusual  <^ertions.  The  moon  was  near  its 
full,  which  enabled  us  to  observe  them  very  minutely ;  and  1  now 
determined  to  haul  in  nearer  the  shore.  Accordingly,  after  clear- 
ing for  action,  we  got  under  weigh,  aud  began  to  sweep  in.  The 
moment  this  was  observed  by  the  enemy's  orig,  she  instantly  cut 
her  cable,  made  sail,  and  despatched  four  Jx»ats  in  pursuit  of  us. 
Being  now  about  8  P.  M.  as  soon  as  we  stw  the  boats  approaching^ 
we  let  go  our  anchor,  got  springs  on  onr  cable,  and  prepared  to 
receive  them.  I  hailed  them  repeated^  m  they  drew  near,  but 
they  felt  no  inclination  to  reply.  Sure'of  their  game,  they  (mlV 
pelted  up  with  the  greater  sp^ed.  I  v!)served  the  boats  were  ail 
manned,  and  apparently  as  well  armed ;  and  as  soon  as  they  had 
cleverly  got  alon^  side,  we  opened  our  fire,  which  was  Mon  re- 
turned; but  meeting  with  rather  a  warmer  reception  than  they 
had  probably  been  aware  of,  they  very  soon  cried  out  for  quar- 
ters and  hauled  off.  In  this  skirmish,  1  had  one  man  killed,  and 
my  first  lieutenant  wounded.  The  enemy's  loss  must  have  been, 
upwards  of  twenty  killed  and  wounded. 

They  hid  now  repaired  to  their  ships  to  prepare  for  a  more 
formidable  attack.  We,  in  the  interim,  having  taken  the  hint, 
pr^Mred  to  haul  close  into  the  beach,  where  we  moored  he^d  and 
stern^  within  half  pistol  shot  of  tlie  castle.  This  done,  we  a^in 
prepared  in  the  best  {wssible  manner  for  their  second  reception. 
.  At  9  P.  M.  we  observed  the  enemy's  brig  towing  in  a  fleet  of 
b<Nits.  They  soon  after  left  the  brig  and  took  their  station  ir 
tiiree  divisions,  under  cover  of  a  small  reef  of  rocks,  within  abouv 
maskct  shot  of  U8»    Here  they  continued  monouvring  for  some 


"JPSSW] 


447 


time,  the  brig  still  keeping  under  weigh  to  act  with  the  bottn, 
should  we  at  any  time  attempt  our  escape. 

I1ie  shores  were  lined  with  the  inhabitants,  waiting  the  expect- 
ed attack ;  from  the  brightness  of  the  moon,  they  had  a  most 
favourable  view  of  the  scene.  The  sovernor,  with  most  of  the 
first  people  of  the  place,  stood  by  and  saw  the  whole  aflfair. 

At  len^,  about  midnight,  we  saw  the  boats  in  motion,  (our  crew 
having  laid  at  their  quarters  during  the  whole  of  this  interval.) 
"^hey  came  on  in  one  direct  line,  keeping  in  close  order ;  and  we 
plainly  counted  twelve  boats.    As  soon  as  they  came  within 


jong  lorn  ratber  sta^ered 
ering,  they  gave  three  cheers,  and  came  on  most  spiritedly  $  in 
a  moment  they  succeeded  in  gaining  our  bow  and  starboard  quar-. 
ter,  and  the  word  was  board.  Our  great  guns  now  becoming  use- 
less, we  attacked  them  sword  in  hand,  together  with  our  piker., 
pistols,  and  musketry,  from  which  our  lads  poured  on  them  a 
most  destructive  fire.  The  enemy  made  frequent  and  repeated 
attempts  to  gain  oiir  decks,  but  were  repulsed  at  all  times,  and 
at  all  points,  with  the  greatest  slaughter.  About  the  middle 
of  the  action  I  received  the  intelligence  of  the  death  of  my 
second  lieutenant ;  and  soon  after^jof  the  third  lieutenant  beine 
badly  wounded.  From  this,  andtlther  causes,  I  found  our  fire  had 
much  slackened  on  tlie  forecastle ;  and,  fearful  of  the  event,  I 
instantly  rallied  the  whole  of  our  after  division,  who  had  been 
bravely  defending,  and  now  had  succeeded  in  beating  the  boats  off 
the  quarters.  They  gave  -a  shout,  rushed  forwaH,  opened  a  fresh 
fire,  and  soon  after  decided  the  conflict,  which  terminated  in  the 
total  defeat  of  the  enepiiy,  and  the  loss  of  many  of  their  boats ; 
two  of  which,  belodgin^  to  the  Rota,  we  took  possession  of, 
literally  loade  i  with  meir  own  dead.  Seventeen  only  escaped 
from  them  both,  who  swani  to  the  shore.  In  another  boat  under 
our  quarter,  commanded  by  one  of  the  lieutenants  of  the  Plan.- 
ti^net,  all  were  killed  savine  four.  This  I  have  from  the  lieu- 
tenant himself,  who  further  told  me  that  he  jumped  overboard  to 
save  his  own  life. 

The  duration  of  this  action  was  about  40  minutes.-  Our  decks 
were  now  found  in  much  confusion,  our  Long  Tom  dismounted, 
and  several  of  our  carriages  broken  ;  many  of  our  crew  having 
left  the  vessel,  and  others  disabled.  Under  these  circumstances, 
however,  we  succeeded  in  getting  Long  Tom  in  his  birtii,  and  the 
decks  cleared  in  sort  for  a  fresh  action,  should  the  enemy  attack 
us  again  before  day-li^t.  About  3  A.  M.  I  received  a  message 
from  the  American  consul,  requesting  to  see  me  on  shore,  where 
he  informed  me  the  governor  nad  sent  a  note  to  captain  Lloyd, 
be^ng  him  tp  desist  from  further  hostilities.  To  which  captain 
Lloyd  sent  for  answer,  that  he  was  determined  to  have  the  priva- 


■^ 


1 


■fi.; 


J 


ij 
i\ 

1 

1 

1 

; 

if 

#^ 

%: 
1 

K     k 


«■ 


448 


~  <^r  at  the  risk  cf  knocking  down  the  whole  town ;  and  that  if 
^e  governor  sufi%red  the  Americans  to  injure  the  privateer  in  any  . 
manneir,  he  ehoutd  consider  the  place  an  enemy's  port,  and  treat 
it  accordingly.  Finding  this  to  be  the  case,  I  considered  all  hopes 
<dr  having  our  vessel  to  be  at  an  end.  I  therefore  went  on  board, 
and  ordered  all  our  wounded  and  dead  to  b«  taketi  on  iiihore,  and 
the  ciew  to  save  their  effects  as  fast  as  possUnc.  Sooc  after  ll^s 
it  became  day-light,  when  the  enemy's  biig  stttyl  cloiuj  in,  and 
commenced  a  heavy  fire  on  us  with  all  her  force.  Aft^ir  sevn::  '4 
broadsidc'B  she  hauled  off,  having  received  a  t-hot  '>,  her  hul^biv 
rining  much  cut,  and  her  fore-top  tiuist  wouuded ;  (of  this  I  we» 
i'l^rmed  by  the  British  cons  a  L)  She  soon  u.''ter  came  in  asain, 
and  anchored  close  to  the  privateer.  I  +hen  ordered  the  Arm- 
strong  to  be  scuttled,  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  getting  her  off. 
She  was  soon  after  boarded  by  the  enemy's  boats,  and  set  <  i  Jlr^, 
"  which  soon  completed  her  destriiction. 

They  have  destroyed  a  number  af  houses  m  -dht'  towB,  an^ 
9'oi^nded  some  of  the  inhalntants. 

By  what  I  have  been  able  to  learn  from  tlie  British  consul  and 
oii-iiv?rs  ''.«f  the  fleer,,  it  appears  there  were  about  400  officers  and 
men  in  iJk'  1a«it  attack  by  the  boats,  of  wiiich  120  were  killed  and 
about  13)  wounded.  Captain  Lloyd,  I  am  toldby  the  British  con- 
m\t  U  badlv  wounded  in  the  leg ;  a  jury  of  surgeons  had 
been  held,  wno  gave  it  as  their  opinion,  that  amputation  would  be 
necessary  to  insure  his  life.  'Tis  said,  however,  that  the  wound 
was  occasioned  by  an  ox  treading  on  him.  The  fleet  has  remain- 
ed here  about  a  week,  during  which  they  have  been  principally 
employed  in  burying  their  dead  and  taking  care  of  tiieir  wound- 
«d. 

Three  days  after  the  action  they  were  joined  by  the  ship  Thais 
and  brig  Calypso  (two  sioop6  of  war ; )  they  were  immediately 
taken  into  requisition  by  captain  Lloyd,  to  take  home  the  woaoded 
iiitien.  The  Calypso  sailed  for  England  with  part  of  the  wounded 
on  the  i2d  instant,  among  whom  was  'the  first  lieutenant  of  the 
Plantagenet.  The  ThaU  sails  this  evening  with  the  remainder. 
Captain  Lloyd's  fleet  saiked  to-day,  supposed  for  the  West  Indies. 

The  loss  on  our  part,  I  am  happy  to  sav,  is  comparatively 
trifling ;  twd  killed  and  seven  wounded.  With  re^d  to  my 
officers  in  general,  I  feel  the  greatest  satisfaction  in  saying  they  one 
and  all  fou^t  with  the  most  determined  bravery,  and  to  whom  I 
.  feel  highly  indebted  for  their  officer-like  conduct  during  the  short 
period  we  were  together;  their  exertions  and  bravery  deserved  a 
better  fate.  ^ 

I  her^  insert,  for  your  inspection,  a  list  of  the  killed  and 
-wounded. 

KiLLED—M.  Alexander  O.  Williams,  2d  lieutenant,  by  a  mus- 
ket ball  in  the  forehead,  died  instantly ;  Burtoa  Lloyd,  seaman, 
do*  through  the  heart  dot 


n ;  and  that  if 
ivateer  in  any  . 
»rt,  an4  treat 
ered  all  hopes 
vent  on  board, 
on  '&}\on,  and 
ioov  after  i1ii,s 
cloKo  in,  aad 
Aft'ar  se  i'leral 
rAier  hull /si 'jv 
(of  this  I  WIS 
»me  in  ittain, 
red  the  Am- 
etting  her  oflT. 
nd  set  «^i  fir<':', 

t)>'^  towu,  and 

ish  consul  and 
H)  officers  and 
'ere  killed  an4 
le  British  con- 
surgeons  had 
ition  would  be 
hat  the  wound 
et  has  remain- 
len  principallr 
f  their  wound- 

the  ship  Thins 
e  immediately 
le  the  wounded 
»f  the  wounded 
atenant  of  the 
the  remainder, 
e  West  Indies, 
comparatively 
re^d  to  my 
laying  they  one 
and  to  whom  I 
aiing  the  short 
ery  deserved  a 

the  killed  and 

iant,by  amus- 
Lloyd,  seaman, 


44j» 


% 


^  'WouNDE»— Fredetick  A.  Worth,  1st  lieutenant,  in  the  right 
vide;  Robert  Johnson,  Sd  do.  left  knee;  Razilla  Hammond, 
quarter  master,  left  arm ;  John  Finer,  seamr^n,  knee ;  William 
vastle,  do.  arm  ;  Nicholas  Sealson,  do.  arm  and  leg ;  John  Har- 
risen,  do.  hand  and  face  by  the  explosion  of  a  gun. 

It  gives  me  much  pleasure  to  announce  to  yeu  that  our  wounded 
are  ail  in  a  fair  way  of  recovery,  through  the  unremitted  care  and' 
attention  of  our  worthy  surgeon. 

Mr.  Dabney,  our  consul,  is  a  gentleman  possessing  every  feel- 
ing of  humanity,  and  to  whom  uie  utmost  gratitude  is  due  from 
us,  for  his  great  care  of  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  his  polite 
attention  to  my  officers  and  myself. 

Mr.  Wiiiiaias  was,  a  most  oeserving  and  promising  officer.  His 
country  in  him  has  lost  one  of  its  brightest  ornaments ;  and  his 
death  must  be  sadly  lamented  by  all  who  knew  his  worth. 

Accompuiied  with  this  you  will  find  a  copy  of  my  protest,  to- 
gether with  copies  of  letters  written  by  Mr.  Dabney  to  the  gover- 
nor of  Fayal,  our  minister  at  Rio  Janeiro,  and  our  Secretary  of 
State.  These  letters  will  develope  more  fully  the  circa<uistanceB 
of  this  unfortunate  affair. 

We  expect  to  sail  to-morrow  in  a  Portugeuse  brig  for  America 
Island,  who  takes  tiie  whole  of  our  crew. 

I  remain  gentlemen,  &e. 

SAMUEL  C.  R^IO. 
To  the  editor  of  the 

M«rcaotilc  Advertiser,  New  Yofk. 


BRUTALITY  OF  THE  ENEMY. 

Messrs  Oales  ^  8eaton, 

Having  &een  the  following  publication  in  thf  Alexandria 
Herald,  of  the  19th  October,  with  horror,  as  capping  the  climax 
of  atrocity— 


.».:  f 


«T0  THE  EDITORS  OP  THE  HERALD. 


♦•  Oenilemen, 

**  I  have  no  recollection  of  having  seen  sCny  account  of  th« 
conduct  of  the  enemv  at  Chaptico  published  in  any  of  the  public 
prints ;  you  are  at  liberty  to  pnbuah  the  following  extract  of  a 
letter  to  a  friend,  written  shomy  after  that  aflQur.  It  is  a  very 
imperfect  account  written  in  a  hurry  amidst  the  bustie  of  a  cam)>, 
but  contains  most  of  the  facta.  My  name  ia  enclosed,  which  you 
are  at  liberty  to  make  public,  if  lyiy  respectable  person  should 
deny  the  truth  of  tiie  following  statemtot, 

**  *A  citixm  <^  Maryland,** 


«« 


I  passed  throuch  Chaptico  shortly  after  the  enemy  left  it,  and 
I  am  sorry  to  say  wat  thaw  conduct  would  have  disgraced  ftokni 


ill 

I! 


1    3'> 


m 


0 


I  f ' 


« 


* 


4>A 


■  ^Pf*' 


faMl  J  the  hduMt  were  tern  to  pieces,  the  well  which  r.ffbrde(| 
wftter  for  tiie  inhi^itaiits  wee  filled  up,  and,  whet  wet  itiU  worse, 
^e  church  end  the  ashes  of  (he  dead  shared  an  eqvAUj  had  or 
worse  fate.  l¥ill  yon  belicTe  me  when  1  tell  you  that  the  sunken 
graves  were  converted  into  barbecue  holes  ?  The  remaining  glase 
of  the  church  windows  broken,  the  communion  table  used  as  a 
diniier  table,  and  then  broken  to  pieces.  Bad  as  the  above  may 
appear,  it  dwindles  into  insignificance,  when  compared  with  what , 
follows :  the  vault  was  entered  and  the  remains  of  the  dead  dis- 
turbed. Yes,  my  friend,  the  winding  sheet  was  torn  from  the 
body  of  a  lady  of  the  first  respectability,  and  the  whole  contents 
of  tne  vault  entirely  deranged!  llie  above  far-ts  were  witnessed 
by  hundreds  as  Weil  as  myself,  and  I  am  happy  to  say,  that  but 
one  sentiment  pervaded  our  army." 

I  immediately  showed  it  to  general  Philip  Stuart,  lately  com* 
mandin^;  the  American  troops  at  that  place,  who  read  and  de- 
clared it  strictly  true ;  tiiat  Cockburn  was  at  the  head  of  it; 
that  they  also  destroyed  the  organs ;  that  judge  Key's  lady,  who 
had  been  last  nut  into  the  vault,  was  tiie  person  alluded  to  ;  that 
her  winding  sneet  was  torn  lu  pieces,  and  her  person  wantonly 
csposed ;  and  that  his  men  were  exasperated  to  desperation  by 
this  conduct.    You  will  publish  this. 

Yours,  &c, 

ROBERT  WRIGHT. 
October  I9th,  1814. 


ai  •■ 


AFFAIR  AT  LYON'S  CREEK. 
«  General  Orikr* 

fiEAD  QUABTERS  OP  THE  NORTHERN  ARMY. 

Csmp  ney  Fort  Erie,  October  3H  1814. 

The  indisj^tion  of  brigadier  general  Biss^il  has  prevented, 
till  this  morning,  his  report  of  the  mindsome  affiiir  which  took  place 
on  the  19th,  between  a  detachment  of  his  brigade  and  a  superior 
force  of  the  enemy. 

The  obfact  of  thie  expedition,  entrusted  to  tiie  brigadier,  was  the 
seizure  of  some  provisions,  intended  for  the  British  troops.  He 
niarched  from  Black  Creek,  ot  thr  morning  of  the  18th,  with 
pjurts  of  the  5th,  14th,  15th  and  16th  infantry,  a  small  party  of 
dra^o<NM,  and  a  company  of  riflemen,  the  whole  900  men.  After 
drivihg.before  them  a  picket,  of  which  they  made  the  commanding 
officer  prisoner,  they  encampttf  for  the  night,  throwing  beyond 
Lyon's  Creek  two  light  infantrv  companies,  under  captain  Dor- 
man,  5ih,  and  lieutenant  Horrefl,  16th  infantry,  and  the  riflemen 
usidsr  captain  Irvine }  a  pickel  on  the  Ch^ypewa  road«  command- 
ed by  mi^  Gaaeaway  waa  attacked  by  two  companiet  ef  Qlen- 


*■ 


^^^ 


%. 


"WRIGHT. 


4S1  ^ 

gwy  light  inffttttiy,  which  were  beaten  back  with  !<>•••  On  the 
moraiBff  of  the  19th,  the  detachment  was  atti^cked  bj  a  telecit 
corpa  of  the  enemj,  not  less  than  1200  strong.  The  light  infaa- 
trr  under  captain  Oorman,  jnd  Irvine*s  riflemen,  sustained  the 
wnole  fire  oi  the  enemy,  for  fifteen  ninntes,  during;  which  time 
the  5th  and  14th  were  formed-*the  51h  was  orders  to  turn  the 
enemy's  right  flank,  while  the  14th  charged  them  in  front.  This 
was  executed  in  the  most  eallant  muiner,  by  colonel  Pinkney  of 
the  5(h,  and  major  Barnard  of  the  I4th,  who  greatly  distinguish* 
cd  himself  by  the  officei  like  style,  in  which  he  conducted  his 
battalion.  Ine  enemy  were  compelled  to  a  precipitate  retreat, 
and  hid  themselyes,  once  more,  behind  their  fortifications. 

General  Bissell  particulariy  mentions  the  skill  and  intrepidilhr 
of  colonel  BntUing,  inspector  general,  colonel  Pinkney,commana- 
ingthedth  regiment,  major  Barnard,  14th  infantry,  major  Barker, 
45th  infantry,  acting  with  the  5th»  captain  Dorman,  paptain  Alii* 
son,  whose  horse  was  shot  under  him,  and  brigade  major,  lieuten- 
ant  Prestman,  of  the  5tii.  Lieutenant  Anspai^,  of  dr^oons, 
was  conspicuous  by  his  alertness  in  communicating  the  brigadier 
general's  orders,  during  the  action.  It  is  with  the  hi^est  satis- 
faction the  commandinE  general  tenders,  to  the  brave  officers  and 
tromps  of  the  2d  brigade  of  the  risht  division,  his  thanks  for  their 
good  conduct  on  this  occasion.  Tlie  firmness  of  the  15th  and  16th 
regiments,  commanded  by  colonel  Pearce,  and  who  were  posted 
as  a  reserve,  proved,  that  had  the  resistance  of  the  enemy  afford- 
ed  them  an  opportunity  of  goinc  into  action,  they  would  have 
emulated  the  valor  of  the  5th  and  14th.  A  number  of  prisoners 
were  taken,  among  whom  a  {ncket  of  dragoons  with  their  horses ; 
a  large  quantity  of  grain  also  fell  into  our  hands.  The  brigadier, 
after  completing  the  orders  he  received,  and  burvine  the  few  of 
our  brave  soldiers  who  fell  in  the  action,  and  the  dead  of  the  ene- 
my, which  were  left  on  the  ground  by  the  latter,  returned  to  Black 
Creek.  To  the  cool  and  intrepid  conduct  of  brigadier  general 
Bissell,  the  general  offers  the  praise  he  has  so  justly  entitled  him- 
self to. 

By  order  of  m^joi*  general  Izard,  ^ 

C.  K.  GARDNER,  AJ^.  Gen.  JV*.  army. 


fm 


'H 


HEAD  aUABTEBS,  SEVENTH  MILITAtlV  DISTRICT, 

TENSAW,  November  14th,  1814^ 
SIR, 

On  last  etenuig  I  returned  from  Pensacola  to  this  place*  I 
reached  that  post  on  tiie  evening  of  the  6th.  On  my  approach  t 
sent  major  Pi'erre  with  a  flag  to  communicate  the  oMect  of  my 
visit  to  the  governor 9f  Pensacola.  He  apprtached  f»rt  St  Geof^, 
wi^  his  flag  displayenli  and  was  fired  on  by  the  cannon  from  tiie 
(bri. ;  he  returned  and  made  report  thereof  to  me.    I  immediately 


4 


in 


Nl> 


■',  ■HI 


li-^:''l 


■  Vi' 


Went  With  the  Adjutant  general  and  the  mider  with  a  tmall  escoti, 
and  viewed  the  fort,  and  found  it  defended  by  both  British  and 
Spanish  troops.  I  immediately  determined  to  storm  the  town ; 
retired  and  encamped  mjr  troops  for  the  ni^t.  and  made  the  ne- 
oessanr  arrangements  to  carry  my  determination  into  effect  the 
next  day. 

On  the  morning  of  the  rth  I  marched  with  the  effective  rej^Iars 
of  the  Sd,  39thj  and  44th  infautry,  part  of  general  Coffee's  brigade, 
the  Mississippi  dragoons,  and  part  of  the  West  Tennessee  regi- 
ment, commanded  by  lieutenvnt  colonel  Hammonds  (colonel 
Lowry  having  desired  and  gone  home,)  and  part  of  the  Choctaiva. 
led  by  migor  Blue,  of  the  39th,  and  major  Kennedy  of  Mississippi 
territory.  Being  encamped  on  the  west  of  the  town,  I  calculated 
they  would  expect  the  assault  from  that  quarter,  an^  be  prepared 
to  rake  me  from  the  fort,  and  the  British  armed  vessels,  seven  in 
number,  that  lay  in  .Ke  i>ay«  To  cherish  tiiis  idea  I  sent  out  part 
of  the  mo<iDted  raent'>  «how  themselves  on  the  west  whilst  I  passed 
in  rear  of  the  fort  undiscovered  to  the  east  of  the  town.  vV^hen 
I  appeared  within  a  mile,  I  was  in  full  view.  My  pride  was  ne- 
ver more  heigjhtened  than  in  viewing  the  uniform  firmness  of  my 
troops,  and  with  what  undaunted  courage  they  advanced,'  with  a 
stronc  fort  ready  to  assail  them  on  the  right,  seven  British  armed 
vessels  an  the  left,  strong  Mock-houses  and  batteries  of  cannon 
in  their  front ;  but  they  still  advanced  with  unshaken  firmness, 
entered  the  town,  when  a  battery  of  two  cannon  was  opened  upon 
the  centre  column,  composed  of  regulars,  with  ball  and  grape, 
and  a  shower  of  musketry  from  the  houses  and  gardens.  The 
battery  was  immediately  stormed  by  captain  Lavall  and  companvr 
and  carried,  and  the  musketry  was  soon  silenced  by  the  steady 
and  well-directed  fire  of  the  regulars. 

The  governor  met  colonels  'Williamson  and  Smith,  who  led  the 
dismounted  volunteers,  with  a  flag,  begged  for  mercy,  and  surren- 
dered the  town  and  fort  unconditionally.  Mercy  was  granted 
and  protection  given  to  the  citizens  and  their  property,  and  still 
Spanish  treachery  kept  us  out  of  possession  of  the  tort  until  nearly 
12  o'clock  at  nif^t. 

Never  was  more  cool  determined  bravery  displayed  by  any 
troops;  and  the  Choctaws  advanced  to  the  charge  with  equal 
bravery. 

On  the  morning  of  the  8th,  I  prepared  to  march  and  storm  th« 
Barancas,  but  before  I  could  move,  tremendous  explosions  told 
me  that  die  Barancas,  with  all  its  appendages,  was  blown  up.  f 
despatched  a  detachment  of  two  hundred  men  to  explore  it,  who 
returned  in  the  night  witfi  the  information  that  it  was  blown  up, 
all  the  combustible  partii  burnt,  the  cauioB  spiked  and  dismount- 
ed«  except  two.  Tnis  being  the  case,  I  determined  to  withdraw 
my  troops,  but  befope  I  did,  I  had  the  pleasure  to  see  the  British 
depart.    Colunel  NichoUs  abandoned  tne  fort  <m  the  iiig^t  uf  the 


"4^ 


€■ 


453 


Qih,  and  btt«ok  Kimiclf  to  hit  shipping,  with  his  fViend  captaia 
Woodbine,  and  their  i      friends.    / 

The  steady  firmness  of  my  troops  has  drawn  a  just  respect 
from  our  enemies.  It  has  convinced  the  Red  Sticks  that  thev  hava 
Ho  strong  hold  or  protection,  only  in  the  friendship  of  the  United 
States.  The  good  order  and  conduct  of  my  troops,  whilst  in 
Pensacola,  has  convinced  the  Spaniards  of  our  friendship  and  our 
prowess,  and  has  drawn  from  the  citizens  an  expression,  that  our 
Choctaws  are  more  civilized  than  the  British. 

In  great  haste.  I  am,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSOK. 
To  the  Guv.  of  Tennenee. 


Hr 


SIR, 


CAMP,  BELOW  NEW  ORLEANS,  December  27th,  1814. 


The  loss  of  our  gun-boats  near  the  pass  of  the  Rigolets,  hav- 
ing given  the  enemy  command  of  lake  Borgne.  he  was  enabled  to 
choose  his  point  of  attack.  It  became,  therefore,  an  object  of 
importance  to  obstruct  the  numerous  bayous  and  canals  leading 
from  that  lake  to  the  hig^and  on  the  Mississippi.  This  import- 
i|nt  service  was  committed,  in  the  first  instance,  to  a  detachment 
•f  the  7th  renment,  afterwards  to  colonel  De  Laronde,  of  the 
Louisiana  militia,  and  lastly,  to  make  all  sure,  to  major  general 
Villere.  commanding  the  district  between  the  river  and  the  lakes^ 
and  who.  beine  a  native  of  the  country,  was  presumed  to  be  best 
acfj^uainted  witii  all  those  passes.  Unfortunately,  however,  a  picket 
which  the  general  had  established  at  the  mouth,  of  the  Day  on 
Bienvenu,  and  which,  notwithstanding  my  orders,  had  been  left 
nnobstructed,  was  completely  surprised,  and  the  enemy  penetrated 
through  a  canal  leading  to  lus  farm,  about  two  leagjues  below  the 
city,  and  succeeded  in  cutting  off  a  comj^ny  of  militia  stationed 
ihere.  This  intelligence  was  communicated  to  me  about  12 
c^clock  of  the  2Sd.    My  force  at  this  ti*T.e  consisted  of  parts  of 


nessee,  under  the  command  of  major  ceneral  CarrolL  These  two 
last  corps  were  stationed  four  miles  above  d/.  city.  Apprebendii^ 
a  double  attack  by  the  way  of  Chief-Mentcur,  I  left  $;eneral  Car- 
roll's force  and  themilitia  of  the  city  poHk'«<  i«a  the  Gentiliy  road ; 
and  at  5  o'clock  P.  M.  marched  to  meet  tlie  enemy,  whom  I  was 
resolved  to  attack  in  his  first  position,  with  major  Hitid's  dragoons, 
general  Coffee's  bri^ade,*part»  ot  the  7th  and  44th  regiments,  the 
uniformed  companies  of  militia,  under  the  command  of  miyor 
Planche.  .200  meA  of  4||p»lour.  chiefly  from  St.  Dominj^o.  rused  by 
colonel  Savary  and  actins  under  the  command  of  major  Dagwing, 
and  a  detachmentof  artillery  under  the  direction  of  colonel  M'Rea, 
with  two  six  jiounders,  under  th<^  commatiH  of  lieutenant  Spots ; 


i 


!.*!■       . 


'1 


Jftl' 


n 


It  <'t 


•y 


■  ^H 


-  Ma?-*'. ■'.'I''   (  '  ■ .' 


k4i 


iiiifetfei: 


414 


*' 


aot  etct«ding  in  til  1500.  I  trrived  near  V  '  mrry*  eneaaiB- 
ment  about  7,  and  imroediatalj  made  my  ii;<  «p(».itions  foi-  tM 
attaek.  Hit  forces  amounting,  at  that  time,  oo  land  to  about 
8000,  extended  half  a  Nnile  on  that  river,  and  in  the  rear  nearlT 
to  the  wood.  General  Coffee  was  ordered  to  turn  their  rig^t. 
while  with  the  residue  of  the  force  I  attacked  his  strongest  posi- 
tion on  the  left  near  the  river.  Commodure  Patterson  having 
dropped  down  the  river  in  the  schooner  Caroline,  was  directed  to 
open  a  fire  upon  their  camp,  whjch  he  executed  at  about  half  past 
seven.  This  being  a  signal  of  attack,  general  Coffee's  men,  with 
their  usual  impetuositj,  rushed  on  the  enemy's  right  and  entered 
their  camp,  wnile  our  right  advanced  with  equal  ardour.  There 
can  be  but  little  doubt,  that  we  should  have  succeeded  on  that 
occasion  with  our  inferior  force,  in  destroying  or  capturing  the 
enemy,  had  not  a  thick  fog  which  arose  about  8  o'clock,  occasion- 
ed some  confusion  among  the  different  corps.  Fearing  the  conse< 
quence,  under  this  circumstance,  of  the  further  prosecution  of  a 
night  attack  with  troops,  then  actinsr  toftether  for  the  first  time, 
I  contented  myself  wttn  Iving  on  the lela  that  night)  and  at  four 
in  the  morning,  assumed  a  stroncer  position,  about  two  miles 
nearer  the  city.  At  this  position  iremained  encamped,  waiting 
the  arrival  of  the  Kentucky  militia,  and  other  reinforcements.  As 
tile  safety  of  the  city  will  depend  on  the  fate  of  this  army,  it  must 
not  be  incautiously  exposed. 

In  this  affair  the  whole  corps  under  my  command,  deserve  th« 
greatest  crddit.  The  best  compliment  I  can  pay  to  general  Coffee 
«sd  his  brigade,  is  to  say,  they  have  behaved  as  they  have  always 
done  while  under  my  command.  The  7th,  led  bv  mMor  Pierre, 
and  44th,  commanded  by  colonel  Ross,  distinguished  themselves. 
The  battalion  of  city  militia,  commanded  by  major  Planche,  real- 
ized my  anticipations,  and  behaved  like  veterans.  Savary's  vo- 
lunteers manifested  great  bravery  :  and  the  «;ompanTof  city  rifle- 
men having  penetrated  into  the  midst  of  the  enemy's  camp,  were 
turrouadM,  and  fought  their  way  out  with  the  greatest  heroism, 
bringing  with  them  a  number  of  prisoners.  The  two  field  pieces 
^irare  well  served  by  the  officers  commanding  them. 

'  All  my  officers  in  the  line  did  their  duty,  and  I  have  every  rea- 
son to  be  satisfied  with  the  whole  of  my  field  and  staff.  Colonels 
Butler  and  Piatt  and  major  Chotard,  by  their  intrepidity,  saved 
the  artillery.  Colonel  Hajnes  was  every  where  that  dut^  or 
danger  called.  I  was  deprived  of  the  services  of  one  of  my  aids, 
captain  Butler,  whom  I  was  obliged  to  station,  to  his  great  regret, 
in  tdwn.  Captain  Reid,  my  other  aid,  and  Messrs.  Livin|»ton, 
Duplis  and  Davizac,  who  liad  volunteered  their  services,  faced 
danger  wherever  it  was  to  be  met,  and  carried  my  orders  with  the 
tttniost  promptitude*  ^ 

We  made  one  major,  two  subalterns  and  sixty  i?.'^^  privates 
prisoners ;  and  the  enem  v's  loss  in  killed  and  wounv^^  flftutt  have 
been  at  least  -— -  -.    My  own  loss,  I  have  not  as  j^l  been  able 


:* 


;^ 


to  MctrtAia  tritb  titctACM,  Imt  tuppoM  it  to  MMNwt  to  100  it 
killed,  wounded,  and  mititna.  Awoak  the  former,  I  htTf  to  Up 
ment  the  lose  of  colonel  |ja«derdele,  or  general  CofTee't  brigade, 
who  fell  while  bravely  fighting.  ColoneleJDjer  and  Gibeon*  of 
the  same  corpe,  were  wounded,  and  ni^or  ^avenaugh  taken  pri- 
soner. 

Colonel  De  Laronde,  mi^or  Villere,  of  the  Louiiiana  militia, 
roi\|or  Latour,  of  engineers,  having  no  command,  volunteered 
their  servicea,  aa  did  doctora  Kerr  and  Hood,  and  were  o'  great 
asiiatance  to  me. 

I  hava  the  honour  to  be,  kc. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 
Hon.  James  Monroe, 

sctinf  Sccretuy  of  War. 


SIR, 


HEAD  QUARTERS,  rth  MUTARY  DISTRICT, 

Camp  below  New  Otkana,  December  29th,  1814. 


The  enemy  succeeded  on  the  27th,  in  blowing  up  the  Caro- 
line, (she  being  becalmed)  by  fneans  of  hot  ^ot  from  a  land  iMt- 
tery  whieh  he  nad  erected  in  the  nigjht.  Emboldened  by  this 
event,  he  marched  his  whole  force  the  next  day,  up  the  level,  in 
the  hope  of  driving  us  from  our  position,  and  with  this  view  open* 
ed  upon  us,  at  the  distance  of  about  hdf  a  mile,  his  bombs  and 
rockets.  He  was  repulsed,  however,  with  conuderal4e  loss— not 
less,  it  is  believed,  than  lao  in  killM,  Oun  was  inconsiderable, 
net  exceeding  half  a  dozen  in  killed,  and  a  doz«n  wounded. 

Since  then,  he  has  not  ventured  to  repeat  his  attempt,  though 
lying  close  togethor.  There  has  been  frequent  skirmishing  Mr 
tween  our  {uckets. 

I  lament  that  I  have  not  the  means  of  carrying  o^  more  offen- 
sive operations.  The  Kentucky  troops  have  not  amved,  and  my 
effective  force  at  this  point,  does  not  exceed  SOOO.  TAeirs  must 
be  at  least  double— 4ioth  prisoners  and  deserters  agreeing  in  the 
statement  &at  7000  landed  from  their  boats. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 
The  Hon.  SeqKtaiy  of  War; 


•It 
I 


^li 


Slit, 


CAIfP,  f<Otm  MILES  BELOW  NEW  ORLEANS. 

Januaiy  9th,  1815. 


During  the  days  of  the  6th  and  7ih,  the  enemy  had  beea 
actively  employed  in  making  preparations  for  an  attack  on  my 
lines.  Witk  infinite  labour  they  nad  succeeded  on  the  nig^t  of 
the  7th,  in  gottingt  their  boats  across  from  the  lake  to  the  river» 
by  widiNiiDg  and  deepening  the  canal  on  which  they  ^d  effected 


•SP? 


•fi* 


■v- . 
I 


m 


»*W 


i."fm 


^eir  difcmlNulcttioii.  UMmA  Mf  )i«e»,9%pgr fower  to  ii|||ied« 
lliese  operationt by  agm^ral  attack:  ^Ided  to oih^r  jrcafont,  i^e 
natare  of  the  troops  unda^  nj  comnuu  d,  OM^tlj  mUi^a,  rendered 
it  tec  hazairdoui  to  attien^pl  <«teiiMve.  ^4iwiM,iMfemmt9  19  an 

2ien  countnr,  againit  a  numeroi»  aiMl  w^  diMiS>iw«^  Mxmj^  M" 
ough  my  t«rc«i,a#to^umber,  hid  b9(^  inci^aiedbr  the  arrival 
of  the  KentttcHr  division*  my  strength  had  rec^v^  very  tittle 
addition ;  a  small  portion  only  bf  that  detachment  being  pipi^ed 
with  arms.  Compelled  thus  to  wiit  the  attacl^^  the  enemyt  I 
took  every  measure  to  repel  it  when  it  shonld  b(i  mape,  and  to 
defeat  the  object  he hadin  view.  General M,WMit  widli  ^e.New 
Orleans,  contingent*  the  Itouisiana  militU,  iuoaa  stripe  dctr  h> 
liient  o^  the  Kentucky  troopsi  occupied  an  entrenchei|^camp  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  protected  by  .^trong^tteiieaOtt  the 
bank^  erected  and  superintended  by  oogamodore^attiirson* 

In  my  encamj^ent  evenr  tlung  was  ready  for  tuition,  wlusn, 
earay  in  the  morning  of  the  8th,  the  enemy  after  throwing  a  h^vy 
shover  of  bombs  and  congreve  vocket«»  advanced  their  columns 
on  my  iight  and  left^  to  storm  my  eirtrenthment9*  t  cannot 
^^lesk  fufficientiy  in  praise  of  ^q  fipnneps  and  delibeismtion  ivith 
which  my  wholiB  line  received  their  approacb-rlftore  c(mld  not 
hive  been  expected  from  veterans  inured  to  war.  For  an  hour 
the  fire  of  the  small  arms  was  as  incessant  and  s^re  as  cai|  be 
imagined.  The  artillery,  tooi  directed  .by  olficen  who  displayed 
equal  ^ill  and  courage,  did.great  execution*  ¥et  tbecmnqms 
01  the  eneinv  continued  to  advance  widi  a  firmness  wluch  reflects 
upon  them  the  neatest  credit.  Twice  the  column  which  approach- 
ed me  on  my  left,  was  rmralsed  by  the  tro^  of  general  Ctr- 
ndl, 'those  of  generd  Coffee,  and  a  division  of  the  Kentadcy 
miHtia,  and  twice  they  formed  agpun  and  renewed  tiw  assault.  At 
length,  however,  cut  to  pieces,  they  fled  in  confusion  fioni  tke^did, 
leaving  it  covered  with  their  deacTand  "youndefU  !llie  loss  which 
the  enemy  sustained  on  this  occasien*.  cannot  be  estiroated  at  less 
titan  1500  in  killed,  wounded  and  (nrisouers.  Upwards  of  three 
hundred  have  already  been  delivered  over  for  Wri'4  >  tnd  my 
men  are  still  engaged  in  picking  them  up  within  my  l^nes  and 
curryinff  them  to  the  point  where  the  enemy  are  to  receive  them. 
This  is  m  addition  to  the  dead  and  wounded  whoKi  the  en^my 
have  been  enabled  to  carrv  from  the  field,  during  and  since  the 
action,  and  to  those  who  nave  $!nce  died  of  tM  wounds  they 
received.  Wc  have  taken  about  500  prisoners,  upwards  of  300 
of  whom  are  wounded,  and  a  great  min  of  them  mortolly.  Mv 
less  has  not  exceeded,  and  1  believe  has  not  amounted  to,  10  kil> 
led  and  as  many  wounded*  The  entire  destmct^n  of  tiieene- 
iny's  army  was  now  inevitable,  had  it  not  been  for  anisnft^nate 
occurrence  which  at  this  moment  took  place  on  the  otiier  side  of 
the  river.  SimuItaneoUBly  with  his  advance  npbn  myKnes,he 
had  thrown  over  in  his  boats  a  considerate  force  to  tin  otirta'  side 
of  the  river.    T/ri^  having  landed,  were  hardy  efNmgli  «i  iivanee 


.f^' 


4S7 


tiffjUMi  the  workt  of  general  Morgiii;  and  what  is  ttrange  and 
difficult  to  account  for,  at  the  Tery  moment  when  their  «Dtire  dia* 
comfiture  was  looked  for  with  a  confidence  approaching  to  cer- 
taintj,  the  Kentucky  reinforcements  ingloriously  fled,  drawinc 
aiter  them,  by  their  example,  the  remainder  of  the  forces ;  ana 
thus  yielding  to  the  enemy  tiuit  most  fortunate  position.  T\m 
batteries  which  had  rendered  me  for  many  days,  the  most  import- 
ant service,  though  bravely  defended,  were  of  course  now  aban- 
doned; not,  however,  until  the  guns  had  been  spiked. 

This  unfortunate  route  had  totally  chan^d  the  aspect  of  af- 
fairs. The  enemy  now  occupied  a  position  from  which  they 
might  annoy  us  without  hazard,  and  by  means  of  which,  they 
mig^t  have  been  enabled  to  defeat,  in  a  great  measure,  the  effect 
of  our  success  on  this  side  the  river.  It  became,  therefore,  an 
object  of  the  first  consequence  to  dislodge  him  as  soon  as  possi- 
'  ble.  For  this  object,  all  the  means  in  my  power,  which  I  could 
with  any  safety  use,  were  immediately  put  in  preparation. 
Perhaps,  however,  it  was  somewhat  owing  to  another  cause  that  I 
succeeded  beyond  my  expectations.  In  negotiating  the  terms  of 
a  temporary  suspension  of  hostilities  to  enable  the  enemy  to  bury 
their  dead  and  provide  for  their  wounded,  I  had  required  certain 
propositions  to  oe  acceded  to  as  a  basis ;  among  which,  this  was 
one :  that  although  hostilities  should  cease  on  this  side  the  river 
until  12  o'clock  of  this  day,  yet  it  was  not  to  be  understood  that 
they  should  cease  on  the  other  side;  but  that  no  reinforcements 
should  be  sent  across  by  either  army  witil  the  expiration  of  that 
day.  His  excellency  major  general  Lambert  b^;ed  time  to  con^ 
sider  of  those  propositions  until  10  o'clock  of  to-day,  and  in  the 
mean  time  re-crossed  his  troops.  I  need  not  tell  you  with  how 
much  eagerness  I  immediately  regained  possession  of  the  position 
he  had  tiius  hastiljr  quitted. 

The  enemy  having  concentrated  his  forces,  may  again  attempt 
to  drive  me  from  my  position  by  storm.  Whenever  he  does,  1 
have  no  doubt  my  men  will  act  with  their  usual  firmness,  and 
sustain  a  character  now  become  dear  to  them. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

Her.  Secretary  of  War. 


.t*r 


HI 


**^ 


SIR, 


CABIP  BELOW  NEW  ORLEANS,  Jannaiy  lOtb,  1815. 


I  have  the  honour  to  make  the  following  report  of  the  killed, 
wounded,  und  prisoners,  taken  at  the  battie  at Xarond's  planta- 
tion, on  tiie  l^t  bank  (^  the  Mississippi,  on  the  night  of  we  3Sd 
December,  1814,  seven  miles  below  Mew  Orleans. 

Killed— left  on  the  field  of  battie^lOO 

Wounded—left  on  the  field  of  t»attij6—S30 

58 


45S 

Priwnen  ttkca— One  vc^ti  2  UeuteBtiitt,  1  midakipMai'^ 
^  non-commissioned  officers  and  priyates,  makinc  a  gqmia  totiA 
of  400.  7 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c« 

A.  P.  HAYNB,  In$pd,  Otiu 
M^  fcneni  Andrsw  Jaekaon« 


■  '!ir^^ 


HEAD  Q0ABTEItS«  CAMP,  4  MILES  BELOW  NEW  OBLEAKSU 

January  IStb,  latS, 
SIR, 

At  such  a  crisis,  I  conceive  it  mj  duty  to  keep  you  coA« 
stantlj  advised  of  my  situation. 

On  the  10th  instant  I  forwarded  you  an  account  of  the  bold  at- 
tempt made  by  the  enemy,  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  to  take. 
rossession  of  my  works  by  storm,  and  of  the  severe  repulse  which 
e  met  with.  That  i-eport  having  been  sent  by  the  mul  which) 
crosses  the  lake,  may  possibly  have  miscarried;  um-  which  reason, 
I  think  it  the  more  necessary  briefly  to  repeat  the  subtitance  of  it. 

^  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  tiie  enemy  having  been  ac- 
tively employed  the  twp  preceding  days  in  making  preparation^ 
for  a  storm,  advanced  in  two  strong  columns  on  my  right  and  left. 
They  were  received,  however,  with  a  firmness  which  it  seems  they 
tittle  expected,  and  which  defeated  all  their  hopes.  My  men» 
undisturbed  by  their  approach,  which  indeed  they  loiug;  anxiously 
wished  for,  opened  upon  them  a  fire  so  deliberate  and  certain,  as 
rendered  their  scaling  ladders  and  fascines,  as  v/ell  as  their  more 
direct  implements  of  warfare;  perfectly  useless.  For  upwards  of 
air4tour,  it  was  continued  with  a  briskness  of  which  there  have 
been  but  few  instances,  perhaps  in  any  country.  In  justice  to 
the  enemy,  it  must  be  said,  they  withstood  it  aHlong  as  could  be 
expected  from  the  most  determined  bravery.  At  length,  however, 
when  all  prospect  of  success  became  hopeless,  they  fled  in'  con- 
cision from  the  field,  leaving  it  covered  with  their  dead  and 
wounded.  Their  loss  was  immense.  I  had  at  first  computed  it 
at  1500 ;  but  it  is  since  ascertained  to  have  been  much  greater. 
Upon  information,  which  is  believed  to  be  correct,  ceionel  flaynes, 
tiie  inspector  general,  reports  it  to  be  in  total  £600.  His  report 
I  enclose  you.  My  loss  was*  inconsiderable,  being  only  sevens 
killed  and  six  wounded.  Such  a  disproportion  in  loss,  when  we 
consider  the  number  and  kind  of  troops  engaged,  must,  I  know» 
excite  astonishment,  and  may  not  every  where  be  fully  credited ; 
yet  I  am  perfectly  sadsfied  that  the  account  is  not  exaggerated  on 
the  one  part,  nor  underrated  on  iho^ther. 

The  enemy  having  hastily  critted  a  post  which  they  had  gained 
possession  ot  on  the  other  side  of  tlie  river,  and  we  having  im- 
mediately returned  to  it,  both  armies  at  present  occupy  their  for- 
mer position*.  Whether,  after  the  severe  losses  he  has  sustained, 
^e  is  preparii^  to  return  to  his  shippin|^  erto  make  still  mightier 


4&i 

JibHi  to  attain  his  first  olgect,  I  do  not  pretend  todeterttine. 
t  becomes  me  to  act  as  though  the  latter  were  his  intention.  "One 
thing,  however,  seems  certain,  that  if  he  still  calculates  on  effect- 
ing what  he  has  hitherto  been  unable  to  accomplish,  he  mustex- 
C!ct  c(msiderable  reinforcements;  as  the  force  with  which  he 
nded  must  undoubtedly  be  diminished  by  at  least  SOOO.  Be- 
aides  the  loss  which  he  sustained  on  the  night  of  the  23d  ultimo, 
which  is  estimated  at  400,  he  cannot  have  su&red  less  between  that 
penod  and  the  morning  of  the  18th  instant  than  3000 — having, 
within  that  time,  been  repulsed  in  two  general  attempts  to  driv« 
us  from  our  position,  and  there  having  been  continual  cannonad- 
ing and  skirmishing,  during  the  whole  of  it.  Yet  jie  is  still  abl« 
to  show  a  very  formidable  force. 

There  is  little  doubt  that  the  commanding  general,  sir  Edward 
Packenham,  was  killed  in  the  action;  of  the  8th,  and  that  major 
generals  Keane  and  Gibbs  were  badly  wounded. 

Whenever  a  more  leisure  moment  shall  occur,  I  will  take  the 
liberty  to  make  and  forward  you  a  more  circumstantial  account 
of  the  several  actions,  and  particularly  that  of  the  8th ;  in  doing 
which  my  chief  motive  will  be.  to  render  justice  to  those  brave 
men  I  have  the  honour  to  command,  and  who  have  so  remarkably 
distinguished  themselves. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 
Hon.  SecrtUiy  of  Wtr. 


* 


SIR, 


CAMP  BELOW  NEW  ORLEANS,  Januaiy  13th,  1815. 


I  have  the  honour  to  make  thefollowine  report  of  the  killed, 
wounddd  and  prisoners,  taken  at  the  batfle  of  Mac  Prardie'e 

Slantation,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Miitsissippi,  on  the  mornine  of 
le  Stii  of  January,  1815,  and  five  mUes  below  the  city  of  New 
Orleans. 

Killed,       -       -       .       .        .         •       .     700 
Wounded,        -        -       -        -        -        -       1,400 

Prisoners  taken— 1  major,  <>  captuns,  11  lieutenants,  1  en- 
•ign,  483  camp  officers  and  privates,  making  a  grand  total  of 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  f^c, 
A.  P.  HAYNE,  Inspector  QeMrul 
)lR;w<Sca«Ml  Andrew  Jackson. 


*:,\ 


i'' 


u 


'  i 


.i 


CAMP  BELOW  NEW  ORLEANS,  Jan;uiy  19th,  1815. 
SIR, 

Last  ni^t  at  H  o'clock,  the  enemy  precipitately  decamped 
and  returned  to  their  boats,  living  behind  him,  under  medical 
attendance,  eighty  of  his  wounded  including  two  officers,  14 
pieces  9t  bis  heavy  artillery,  and  a  quantity  of  shot,  having  det 


4% 


w 


n». 


ffti^jred  much  of  his  powder.  8«di  wm  the  titufttioii  of  the 
ground  he  abandoned,  and  of  that  through  which  he  retired,  pro- 
tected by  canals,  redoubts,  entrenchments  and  swamps  on  his 
right,  and  the  river  on  his  left,  that,  I  could  not,  Mdthout  encoun- 
tering a  risk  which  true  policy  did  not  seem  ia  require,  or  to 
authorize,  attempt  to  annoj  him  much  on  his  retreat.  TVe  took 
only  eight  prisoners. 

Whether  it  is  the  purpose  of  the  enemy  to  abandon  the  expe- 
dition altfloether,  or  renew  his  eiforts  at  some  other  point,  I  do 
not pretendto  determine  with  positiveness.  In  my  own  mind,  how< 
ever,  there  is  but  little  doubt,  that  his  last  exertions  have  been 
made  in  this  q^uarter,  at  any  rate  for  Uie  present  season,  and  by 
the  next  I  hope  we  shall  be  fully  prepared  for  him.  In  this  belief 
I  am  streng^ened  not  only  b^  the  prodieious  loss  he  has  sustained 
at  the  position  he  has  just  quitted,  but  by  the  failure  of  his  fleet 
topassfort  St.  Philip. 

His  loss  on  this  ground,  since  the  debarkation  of  his  troops,  as 
stated  by  the  last  prisoners  and  deserters,  and  as  confirmed  by 
many  additional  circumstances,  must  have  exceeded  four  thou- 
sand;  and  was  greater  in  the  action  of  the  8th  tiian  was  estimated^ 
from  the  most  correct  data  then  in  his  possession,  by  the  inspec- 
tor general,  whose  report  has  been  forwarded  to  you.  We  suc- 
ceeded,, on  the  8t3i«  in  getting  from  the  enemy  about  1000  stand 
of  arms  of  various  descriptions. 

^  Since  the  action  of  the  8th,  the  enemy  have  been  allowed  very 
littie  respite— my  artillery  from  *H>th  sides  of  the  river  being  con- 
stantly employed,  till  the  ni^t,  and  indeed  until  the  hour  of  their 
retreat,  in  annoying  them.  No  doubt  they  thought  it  quite  time 
to  quit  a  position  m  which  so  littie  re^t  could  be  found. 

I  am  advised  by  nu^or  Overton,  who  commands  at  fort  S^. 
Philip*  in  alette:  of  the  18th,  that  the  enemy  having  bombarded  his 
fort  for  8  er  9  days  from  13  inch  mortars  without  effect,  had,  on 
the  morning  of  that  day,  retired.  I  have  little  doubt  that  he 
would  have  been  able  to  have  sunk  their  vessels  had  tiiey  attenjpt- 
ed  to  run  by. 

Giving  tiie  proper  weight  to  all  these  considerations,  I  believe 
you  will  not  tiunk  me  too  sanguine  in  the  belief  diat  Louinana  ia 
now  clear  of  its  enemy.  I  tkope,  however,  I  need  not  assure  yoa* 
that  wherever  I  command,  such  a  belief  shall  never  occasion  any 
relaxation  in  the  measures  for  resistance.  I  am  but  too  sensible 
that  the  moment  when  the  enemy  is  opposing  us,  is  not  the  most 
proper  Ui  provide  for  tiiem. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be«  &c. 

ANDF^V^  JACKSON. 

The  Secretary  of  War. 

P.  8.  On  the  18th  our  prisoners  on  shore  were  delivered  us,  an 
exchange  having  been  previously  agreed  to.  Those  who  are  on 
board  the  Seet  will  be  delivered  at  Petit  Coquille-— afteir  which  \ 
shall  still  have  in  my  hands  an  excels  of  several  hundred. 


461 

20th-~ Mr.  Shields,  purser  in  the  navy,  has  to-day  taken  54 
prisoners ;  among  them  are  four  officers. 

At  J< 

Report  of  the  American  loss  in  the  several  actions  below  jyew 

Orleans. 

December  23d, — killed  24 ;  wounded  125;  missing  74^-— Total 
ei3. 

December  28tb, — ^killed  7 ;  wounded  8 ;  missing  none. — ^Total  1 5. 

J;inuary  l»t, — Skilled  11 ;  wounded  23  ;  missing  none. — ^Total  34. 
do.      8th,—  do.  13 ;     do.      30 )    do.    19.— Total  62. 

Recapitulation — ^killed  55 ;  wounded  176;  missing  93 — Grand 
total,  324. 


sm, 


NEW  ORLEANS,  January  Srth,  1815. 


The  enemy  having  retreated,  as  I  had  the  honour  to  inform 
you  by  my  letter  of  the  2Cth  instant,  I  have  the  pleasins  duty 
only  of  reporting  to  you,  that  during  the  late  moft  eventfuistrug- 
gle  for  the  preservation  of  this  important  portion  of  the  Unit«l 
States,  I  have  received  from  all  the  officers  whom  I  have  thehon- 
cur  to  command,  every  aid  and  support  which  could  possibly  be 
rendered ;  they  have  been  exposed  to  extraordinary  hardships, 
both  by  day  and  night,  to  all  the  changes  of  this  unstable  clime, 
in  this  inclement  season  of  the  year,  performing  the  most  ardu- 
ous duties  on  shore,  out  of  the  fine  of^their  profession,  indepen- 
dent of  their  ordinary  duties ;  and  all  has  been  borne  and -execu- 
ted with  a  cheerfulness  and  alacrity  that  reflects  upon  them  the 
bluest  credit ;  and  that  the  unwearied  exertions  of  the  small 
naval  force  on  this  station,  from  the  first  appearance  of  the  ene-v^ 
my,  has  contributed,  in  a  great  degree,  to  his  expulsion,  is  freely'^ 
ecKnowledeed  by  the  gallant  general  commanding  the  land  for-f 
ces,  and  wul  be,  I  trust,  by  all  Mrho  have  witnessed  their  endea- 
vours to  effect  tiie  end,  which  has  so  happily  and  with  so  littie 
loss,  been  accomplished.  It  affords  me  great  pleasure  to  haVe  in 
all  cases  co-operated  with  the  army,  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 
their  commander. 

Captain  Henley  merits  my  acknowledgments  for  his  unremit* 
ted  attention  to  the  execution  of  the  various  duties  comr^iitted  to 
him,  particularly  the  superintendance  of  the  erection  or  two  bat* 
teries  on  the  bayou  St,  John,  and  one  opjiosite  the  city.  His  ^•• 
lant  conduct  on  the  ni^t  of  the  23d  ultimo,  as  already  detaii&d, 
(tlie  fire  from  the  Caroline  proving,  as  I  have  since  learned,  truly 
destructive  to  the  enemy,  and  producing  disorder,  and  confusion 
in  tlieir  troops,  giving  to  our  army  a  manifest  advantage)  and  for 
the  able  assistance  I  received  from  him  when  serving  at  the  ma 
rine  battery  erected  by  me  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  where 
be  remained  till  the  departure  of  the  enemy. 


I 


.*y 


:?1 


4tt 


11 


To  lietttentnt  Lewis  ^exis,  commanding  the  navnl  teiouil  at 
this  place,  I  am  greatlj  indebted  for  his  inde&ligable  exertions 
io  furnish  the  various  munitions,  &c.  which  were  constantly  re- 
quired for  the  navj,<  aritny,  and  militia,  and  which,  were  furnished 
with  a  promptitude  and  correctness  that  reflect  upon  him  and 
those  under  his  immediate  command,  as  named  in  the  accompany- 
ing  cop}r  of  a  letter  from  him,  the  oreatest  credit— 4iis  services 
and  merit  entitle  him  to  the  notice  of  the  department. 

Great  credit  is  also  due  to  lieutenant  Charles  C*  B.  Thompson, 
for  his  great  exertions  in  fitting  his  ship  for  service,  with  a  creW> 
iibtained  bv  coercion  from  the  streets  of  tiie  cily,  composed  of  all 
nations,  (English  excepted)  two-thirds  of  whom  could  not  speak 
or  understand  English,  for  the  spirited  fire  suf^rted  by  his. ship 
on  the.  28th  ultimo,  and  his  continued  endeavours  to  annoy  the 
enemy  when  they  approached  within  the  range  of  his  guns.  Us 

{trompt  execution  or  my  orders,  particularly  in  landing  the  guns 
^rom  nisship,  transporting  them  to  m^  battery,  and  his  attention 
in  supplyinjs  the  battery  with  ammunition  from  his  ship,  in  whose 
inagazine  it  was  deposited.  To.  the  accompanying;  letter  from 
hi^,  I  beg  leave  to  refer  for  a  detailed  account  of  the  merits  of 
his  officers,  all  of  whom  merit  the  encomiums  passed  on  them. 

Lieutenant  Otho  Norris,  acting  lieutenant  Crawley,  Messrs. 
E.  Watkins,  and  J.  Felott,  midshipmen,  and  William  Living- 
ton,  master's  mate,  who  were  stationed  at  the  heavy  cannon  in 
general  Jackson's  lines,  and  named  in  the  letter  which  accom- 
panies this,  have,  by  their  gallant  conduct,  reflected  upon  the  na- 
vy pr&A  c^redit,  and  warranted  my  highest  approbation. 

Acting  lieutenant  Thomas  S.  Cnnninriiam,  commanding  gun 
vessel  "No,  65,  stationed  at  fort  Saint  Phuip,  solicited  and  obtun- 
ed  the  command  of  two  32  pounders,  which  are  mounted  in  the 
most  exposed  situation  at  that  fort,  bung  outside  the  walls,  which 
he  manned  witii  his  crew  and  rendered  great  service  to  the  officer 
<^^ommandug  at  that  post,  during  the  heavy  bombardment  by  the 
enemy  from  the  8th  to  the  17th  instant. 

Mr.  Thomas  Shieids,  purser  of  tiie  station,  and  doctor  Robert 
Morrell,jittached  to  the  marine  corps,  (who  volunteered  his  ser- 
vices in  any  way  they  could  be  useful)  and  who  were  sent  by  me 
with  a  flag  of  truce  to  the  enemy  on  the  15th  ultimo,  supported 
with  becoming  dignity  their-  stations,  and  commanded  from  the 
enemy  that  respect  which  was  due  to  them  and  their  uissitm, 
during  their  detention  by  the  enemy,  prolonged  beyond  what  I  could 
have  possibly  expected,  and  have  merited,  m  a  special  manner,  my 
approDation.  Of  those  officerSf^and  Mr.  Richard  Deaky,  saiKng 
master,  whose  gallant  conduct  during  their  subsequent  successful 
expedition,  (a  detailed  account  of  which  jou  will  herewith  re- 
ceive) reflects  upon  them  the  greatest  credit,  and  merits  the  par- 
ticular notice  of  the  department. 

Doctor  Lewis  Heerman,  hospital  surgeon,  who,  with  my  Sanc- 
ton, wliinteer^d  Ua  services  to  aid  the  hospital  8ui^;eon  of  th« 


46^ 


anttjr  in  the  farioM  duUes  d«Tolvine  upon  him,  from  tho  number  of 
•ur  own  sick,  and  the  wounded  of  the  enemj*  is  thereby,  and  from 
bis  uniform  attention  to  his  professional  duties,  entiUed  to  my 
acknowledgments,  as  are  all  the  officers  of  the  medical  department* 
For  tiie  particulars  of  his  services,  I  refer  you  to  the  letter  to  him 
which  Tott  will  herewith  receive. 

Mr.  John  K.  Sir.iui,u«vj  agent,  has,  bj  his  unremitted  attention 
to  his  departmeat,  the  promptitude  wim  which  he  has  furnished 
articles  mr  both  the  navy  and  the  army,  and  procuring  me  the 
funds  that  were  necessary  during  this  period  of  alarm  and  confu- 
sion, vnabled  me  to  carry  on  my  operations  in  conjunction  with 
the  army  against  the  enemy,  and  contributed  to  that  success  witii 
which  the  ^rms  of  the  United  States  have  been  crowned,  and  will 
receive  my  warmest  thanks.  His  services  rendered  in  camp  will 
be  seen  by  the  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  commanding 
gener&I,  of  the  19th  instant. 

To  major  Carmick,  commanding  the  marine  corps  on  tliis  sta- 
tion,  I  am  indebted  for  the  promptness  with  which  my  reciuisitions 
on  him  have  been  complied  with,  and  the  strong  desire  he  has 
always  manifested  to  further,  as  far  as  was  in  nis  power,  my 
views. 

Mr.  R.  D.  Shepherd,  who  very  handsomely  volunteered  his  ser- 
vices to  me,  and  acted  as  my  aid -de-camp,  and  rendered  me  very 
essential  assistance  by  the  uniform  jH^mptitude  with  which  he 
bore  and  executed  my  various  orders,  merits  my  warmest  ac- 
knowledgments. 

Mr.  J.  B.  Nevitt,  of  Natchez,  formerly  %  lieutenant  in  the 
navy,  who  left  his  home  and  proffered  to  me  his  services,  has  ren- 
dered me  important  assistance  from  his  practical  knowledge,  and 
which  I  acknowledge  with  much  pleasure. 

My  petty  officers,  seamen  and  marines,  performed  their  duties 
to  mj  entire  satisfaction. 

I  bog  leave,  sir,  to  solicit  a  confirmation  of  their  present  rank, 

for  the  different  officers  named  herein  and  iu  the  accompanying 

letters,  actii^  by  appointment,  as  also  for  acting  lieutenants  Spee- 

den  and  M'keever,  and  to  recommend  them  ul  as  meriting,  in  a 

special  rauuner,  the  notice  of  the  department. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c« 

DANIEL  T.  PATTERSON. 
Hon.  Secretaiy  of  the  Navy. 

Bxtraet  of  a  letter  from  general  Jaekson  to  the  Secretary  of  Wat, 

"HEAD  QUABTERS  rth  MILITARY  DISTRICT, 

•«New  Orleans,  February  17th  1815. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  you  major  Overton's  report  of 
the  attack  of  Fort  St.  Philip,  and  of  the  manner  in  which  it  was 
^fended. 


1 


*  f! 


In 


'  i 


464 


flit 

"I     ■ 


"  The  condoct  of  that  officer  and  of  those  who  acted  uhder  him, 
merits,  I  think,  great  praise.  They  nailed  their  own  colors  to 
tiie  standard,  and  placed  those  of  the  enemy  nndenieitii  them, 
determined  never  to  surrender  the  fort*" 


SIR, 


FORT  St  PHILIP,  January  19th,  1815. 


On  the  1st  of  the  present  month,  I  received  the  information 
that  the  enemj  intendea  passing  this  fort,  to  co-operate  with  their 
land  forces,  in  the  subjugation  of  Louisiana,  and  the  destruction 
of  New  Orleans.  To  effect  this  with  more  facility,  they  were 
first  with  their  heavy  bomb  vessels  to  bombard  this  place  into  com- 
plianee.  On  the  grounds  of  this  information,  I  turned  my  atten- 
tion to  the  security  of  my  command.  I  erected  small  magazines 
in  different  parts  of  the  ^;&rrJson,  that  if  one  blew  up  I  could  re- 
sort to  another ;  built  covers  for  my  men  to  secure  them  from  the 
explosion  of  the  shellR,  and  removed  the  combustible  matter  with- 
out the  works.  Early  in  the  day  of  the  8th  instant,  I  was  advised 
of  their  approach, and  on  tiic  9Ui,  at  a  quarter  past  10  A.  M.  hove 
in  sight  two  bomb  vessels,  one  sloop,  one  brig  and  one  schooner ; 
they  anchored  two  and  one  quarter  miles  below.  At  half  past  11 
and  at  half  past  12,  they  advanced  two  bargee  apparently  for  the 
purpose  of  sounding  wifliin  one  and  a  half  miles  of  the  fort ;  at 
this  moment,  I  ordered  my  water  battery,  under  the  command  of 
lieutenant  Cunningham,  ot  the  navy,  to  open  upon  them :  its  well 
directed  shot  caused  a  precipitate  retreat.  At  naif  past  3  o'clock 
P.  M.  the  enemy's  bomb  vessels  opened  their  fire  from  four  sea 
mortars,  two  of  13  inches,  two  of  10,  and  to  my  great  mortifica- 
tion I  found  tliey  were  without  the  effective  range  of  my  shot,  as 
many  subsequent  experiments  proved ;  they  continued  their  fire 
with  little  intermission,  during  the  10th,  11th,  12th,  13th,  14th, 
15th,  l6th  and  17th.  I  occasionalh  opened  my  batteries  on  them 
with  great  vivacity,  particularly  when  they  showed  a  disposition 
td  change  their  position. 

On  the  17th.  m  the  evening,  our  heavy  mortar  was  said  to  be 
in  readiness.  I  ordered  that  excellent  officer,  captain  Wolston- 
crift,  of  the  artillerists,  who  previously  had  charge  of  it,  to  open 
a  fire,  which  was  done  with  great  effect,  as  the  enemy  from  that 
motion  became  disordered,  and  at  day  light,  on  the  18th,  com- 
menced their  retreat,  after  having  thrown  upwards  of  a  thousand 
heavy  shells,  oesides  shells  from  howitzers,  round  shot  and  grape, 
whicn  he  discharged  from  boats  under  cover  of  the  night. 

Our  loss  in  this  affair  has  been  uncommonly  small,  owinc  entire- 
ty to  the  great  pains  that  were  taken  by  the  different  officers  to 
keep  their  men  undercover;  as  the  enemy  left  scarcely  ten  feet  of 
this  garrison  untouched. 

The  officers  and  soldiers  through  this  whole  affair,  althoagii 
nine  days  and  nights  under  arms  in  the  different  batteries,  the 


>46S 

MUMqutBt  f«tinift«B4  loM  •f  diecp,  htre  nuuitf^f  ted  tlwig^tt- 
•tt  firmoess  ura  the  nott  sealwift  warmth  t<i  be  at  the  eB^mj* 
To  d'wtinguiab  indiTidoaii  would  be  a  delicate  taak,  aa  ment'wae 
consiMcuoas.  everj  where.  lieutenant  Cunniiighamyef^iltyjk 
who  commanded  my  water  batterj,  with  hie  brave  crew,  evin^ 
tiie  most  determined  braveiy  tud  uncommon  activity  throughout, 
and  in  &«t,  sir,  the  only  th&g  te  l>e  regretted  is  that  the  enemy' 
was  too  timid  to  give  us  an  opportunity  of  destroying  bim*  ^ 
.  I  JL  herewitii  enclose,  you  a  liat  of  the  lulled  and  wo|unded. 

I  am,  air,  very  respectfully, 

W.H.  OVERTON. 

lli^or  gfeD^Ml  Jaekioa. 

Killed  £  and  wounded  7  during  the  bombardment  on  fort 
fit  Philip,  commencing  on  the  9th  and  ending  on  the  18^  la|i' 
nary,  1815. 


.V  !., 


ADDRESS 

Of  Major  thneml  Jatkaon  on  Ihe  Wi  f^  ^m^umry,  I8I5,  UtHh* 
troopi  on  the  tight  bank  of'f he  JRi^^^ 

While,  by  the  blearing  of  heaven «'  toe  of  the  most  brilliant 
<vietoriea  waa  obtained  by  the  troope  under  my  immediate  com- 
mand, no  worde  can  espr€luithe  morti^alion  1  felt,  at  witnesnng 
the  scene  exhibited  on  the  oppoaite- bank.*  I  will  8]|>are  your 
feelings  and  it-  -.  ^n,  nor  enter  into  detail,  on  the  aulnect.  To 
all  who  reflect,  it  must  be  a  aource  of  eternal  regfet,  that  a  few 
moments*  exertion  of  that  courage  you  certainfy  possesf,  w^a 
alone  wanting,  to  have  rendered^  your  anccesa  more  complete 
than  tiiat  of  your  jfellowcitiziena^in  this  camp.  To  what  cause 
%a»  the  abandonment  of  your  linea  owittt'^  Torfeari  No!  You 

'^'kte  <he  countrymen,  the  friends,  the  brothers  of  those  who  have 
secured'  to  themselvesi  by  their  couraae,  the  gratitade  of  their 
eouutH^;  wha  have  been  prodieal  of'&eirblo^  in  it*- defence, 
imd  who  are  stran^rs  to  any  other  fear  tlian  dis|^»eei  To  disaf* 

'fectlon'to^r  glorious  cause i  No!  Mr  comtrymen^  your  general 
ikwa  justfle  to  the  pure  sentiments  by  which  you  are  inspired. 
How  Aen  could  brave  men,  firm  in  the  cause  in  which  they  are 
enrolled,  nefdeet  their  first  duty^and  abandon  the  post  bommitted 
to  their  cnrer  The  want  of  discipline,  the  want  of  order,  a  toitaX 
disregpd  to  obedience,  and  a  npuit  of  insubordination,  not  less  de- 
etmctive  than  cowardice  itself;  are  the  causes  thi^t  led  to  this  dis- 
aster, and  they  must  be  eradicated,  or  I  nituat  cease  to  command. 
I  desire  to  be  distinctly,  underatood,  that  every  breach  of  orders, 

*  Commo^qre  l^ttenoR  and  general  IfOmn  at  the  moBient  Attributed 
the  disaster  to  the  fl^t  at  tiie  Kentucky  mUitia,  \flufih  proved  on  inveitin- 
tioniuittobethefiu^    H^^idlthe  circumstaiices,a8th<nr  eziitod,be«|ii«s 
iltMMKl^  they  wiuU  iwt  have  been  raprsaehedhy  geaaml  Jadslaat 


1 


'^■'  I' 


h  f 


thfti 

COtlllo 


all  wani  of  diicipUnie.  every  inattetitioli  of  diktf,  iHIl  be  seriooiy 
tad  iii^&irt|itl7 fNihUhfd ;  tmit  tHe  attiBnJVe  oftcertii,  and  good  t^h-i 
dfeirtf'  difjf  not  be  mentioned  in  the  dIsKrace  and  din^r,  wkitK 
the  iieg|ll^  nee  of  a  few  mar  produce.  Soldierfl !  you  wint  o  Af  th^ 
vfiW,  in  oraer  to  emulate  ine  ttory  of  your  ffUow  citizens  on  thti 
wkiA  of  the  river.  Ydn  have  the  Mine  motive;!  'f'A  action ;  the  same 
fiiterest,  the  same  country  to  protect ;  and  you  have  an  addition- 
al interest,  fr6m  past  events,  u>  ^wripe  oiT  reproach,  and  show 
you  will  not  be  inferior,  in  the  day  of  trial,  to  any  of  yonr  ci 
rymen* 

But  femeniber !  without  obedience,  without  order,  without  dis- 
cipline,  all  your  efforts  are  vain.  The  brave  man,  inattentive  td 
his  duty,  is  worth  little  more  to  his  country  than  the  coward  who 
deserts  her  iii  the  hour  of  danger.  Private  opinions,^  as  to  ih6 
competency  of  officers,  must  not  be  indulged,  and  ctiU  less  ex* 
pressed ;  it  is  impossible  that  the  measures  of  those  who  command 
should  satisfy  aU  who  are  bound  to  obey;  and  one  of  the  most 
dangerous  faults  in  a  soldier,  is  i  dispfiisition  to  criticise  and  blame 
the  orders  and  charactera  of  his  superiors.  Soldiers!  I  know 
^at  many  of  you  have  done  yonr  duty ;  and  I  trust,  in  future,  1 

g*  all  have  no  reason  to  make  any  exception.  Officers !  I  have  the 
nest  confidence  that  you  will  enforce  obedience  to  your  ccW 
nlands  i  but,  above  all,  that  by  subordination  hi  your  diffiBrent 
finides,  you  will  set  an  example  io  yoni'men ;  and  mat,  hereafter^ 
1l^  army  <^  the  right  will  yield  to  none,  in  the  essential  qualitiei^ 
Which  characterize  ^oed  soldiers  ^—that  they  will  earn  their  shar^ 
df  Tiio'e  honours  and  rewards,  which  their  country  will  prepsire 
fix  U:-<i'<i 4iv^ri.  '■■'■■■. 

ANDREW  JACKSON, 

J^ot  Gelurtl  Cbminmding* 


ADDRESS 

VtUvelred  to  nu^orgmeral  Andrew  JaekdoUt^  the  reverend  IF. 
JMt&ttrg,aduinUlretor  apostolic  of  the  diaeeae  of  Lajftsi^U. 

NBW  ORLEANS,  Jamuiy  33d,  1815. 
GSKBEAL,    . 

While  ^e  state  of  Louisiana,  in  the  joyful  transports  of  her 
gratitude,  haila  you  as  her  delivwer,  and  the  asserter  of  her  me> 
aacied  liberties :  while  grateful  America,  so  lately  wrapped  up  in 
anxious  suspense,  on  tm  fate  of  this  important  city,  is  re-ccheing 
l^m^idiore to  shore  your  splendid  achievements,  and  ^repariAig  to 
inscribe  your  naroie  jon  ^^r  immortal  rolls,  anumg  ilioae  oi  ner 
Washin^onst  while  history,  poetry,  and  the  m<»iLmental  arts, 
will  vie  in  coasijning  to  the  latest  posterity,  a  ^um^h  periiapS 
«fq»m11eley|.M|nefr  records :  while t^ius, raised,  by  universid ac- 
eUmatioB,  10  &e  very  pihnade  of  iainfe,how  easy  bid  it  been  for 


#T 


d  tonrce*  whencA  every  merit  ii  ittthimf 


t6tgei,|ui4  ^0  AMume  U 

return  ip  that  f ulted  tonrce,  whence  every  , 

Bat  better  acquainted  with  the  nature  of  true  dory,  and  juitlj^ 

placing  tlie  summit  of  your  ambiidon.  in  aj^provtng  younelf  the 

,wia|rthy  ipitrument  of  Heaven's  merciful  deitns,  the  first  impulSA 

of  your  reliffiouB  heart  was  to  aclcnowledge  fM  iifwd  interobil- 

Hm  of  promdenee-r-jow  flrst  step,  a  solemn  display  of  yoltr  Amii- 

Still  a^tated  at  the  remembrance  of  thosjB  dreadful  agpnieit 
from  which  we  have  been  so  miraculously  rescued,  it  is  our  pride 
to  acknowledge,  that  the  Almighty  has  truly  had  the  principal 
hand  in  our  deliverance,  ^'  toToliow  you,  general,  in  attributing 
to  his  infinite  j;oodne  mace  ol -our  uiifelg^ed  gratitude* 

Let  the  infatuated  vot  \  chance  deride  our  credulous 

simplicity;  let  the  cold  ,ieist  look  for  the  explanation 

of  important  events,  to  i,  v>ncatenation  of  human  causes ; 

to  us;  the  whole  universe  is  loud  in  proclaimioga  Supreme  Ru- 
ler,  who,  as  he  holds  ^e  hearts  of  man  in  his  hands,  holds  also  the 
thread  of  all  contingent  occurrences.  "Whatever  be  his  intef* 
mediate  agents,''  says  an  illustrious  prelate,  **  still  on  the  secret 
orders  of  his  all-ruhng  providence,  diepend  the  rise,  and  prosper^ 
ity.'aa  well  as  the  decline  and  downfal  <^  empires.  From  hit 
l<»ty  throne,  he  moves  every  scene  below,  now  curbing,  now  let- 
ting, loo  le,. the  passions  of  men;  now  infunng  his  own  wisdom 
into  the  leaders  of  nations ;  now  confounding^  their  boasted  pru« 
dence,  and  spreading  upon  their  councils  a  sfMrit  of  intoxication ) 
and  thus  executing  his  uncontrollable  judgmente  on  the  sons  of 
men,  according  to  ue  dictates  of  his  own  unerringjustice.*' 

To  him  therefore,  ourmoGt  fervent  thanks  are  one,  for  our  un- 
expected late  rescue.  It  is  him  we  intend  to  praise,  when  consi* 
dering  you,  general,  as  the  man  of  hi»rii^nand»  whom  he  has 
taken  pains  to  fit  out  for  the  important  commission  of  our  defence. 
We  extol  that  fecundity  of  genius,  by  which,  under  the  most  dis- 
coui^ng  distress,  you  created  unforeseen  resources,  raised,  as 
it  were,  from  the  ground,  hosts  of  intrepid  warriors,  and  pro- 
vided every  vulnerable  r  >int  with  ample  means  of  defence.  To 
Aim  we  tiace  that  instmctiye  supenority  df-mind,  which  at 
once  rallied  around  your  universal  confidence;  impressed  one 
irresistible  movement  to  all  the  jarring  elements  of  which  this 
political  machine  is  composed ;  aroused  their  slumbering  spirits, 
and  diffused  tiirougfa  evefj  rank  the  noble  ardour  which  gfowwl 
in  your  own  bosom.  To  HiM,  in  fine,  we  address  our  acknowledg- 
Intfints  for  that  conAumim'ate  prudence,  which  defeated  all  ^e 
colnbinationei  of  a  sankbieus  enemy,  entangled  him  in  the  venr 
«aftre§  which  helUbilSre^  for  us,  and  succeeded  in  eflfottiii^lwi 
utter  destruciion,  Witn^utexposiiu;  the  liyes  of  our  citizens'. '  Ini- 
mortal  thanks  be  to  his  ^opi'eme  Ma|esty,  for  sending  us  such  an 
iiistrttaie»t  of  his  bountifhi  designs!    A  gift  of  that  yi^ue  is  (he 


iffrj 


.  si» 


I  PI) 


1 1 


^ 

i>^^ 

■H^, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


M 


ks 


^ 


^J^ 

V 


1.0 


1.1 


Li  128     |?5 

|jo  ^^     IijH 

u  DA 


2.2 


Itf 


l^^^^^i^^^i^^B         VOWV^^^^^B^^^E        ^^W^^^^^HB 


Fhotographic 

ScMioes 

Carporation 


aiWKT 

wnsTH 


MAMSTIMIT 
,N,V.  USM 
t72-4S<» 


c\ 


4€i   ' 

beit'loiam  6f  the  'eMtiniiui€«  othto  jptoteetlBii-^  avHtioHi  >'4^ 
•ncoungement  tpsue  for  neWikvoan.  The  first  wbich  it  em- 
boldens ufthnmbhr  to  BuppUoate,  ss  nearest  our  throUring  heait«^ 
is  tiiat  y6u  ihajr  long  enjoy  the  honour  of  jro<ir  creteAil  eoi^try  i 
of  which  you  will  permit  as  to  present  you  a  pledge,  in  this  wresdi'  ■ 
of  laureUth^  prize  of  vido^y,  the  symbol  of  immortality.  Th* 
next  b  a  sjpJeMiy  aid  honourable  temumltion  of  the  bloody  con- 
test,  in  which  we  are  engaged.  No  one  has  so  efficaekmilT  labov^ 
ed  as  you,  general,  for  the  acceleration  of  that  blissful  period  ( 
may  we  soon  reap  ^at  sweetest  frott  of  your  splendid  and  unin- 
temip^  Y>cton«?*  .       ,  V,;.' 


mm  - 


OENEIUIi  JACKSON'S  I^ 

I  recmve,!  wift^  |;ratitude  and  pleasure,  the  symboUqd  crown« ,  ^ 
whidi  inetT  has  prepaied.    I  recetve  it  in  the  name  of  the  bravf» 
men  who  nave  so  ^lectnally  eecoiidied  my  exeitions  t  ^ey,  ipUk   , 
deserve  the  laurels  iriiidi  their  cooiitry  will  bestow.    Vor.  myself • 
to  hMre  been  instrnmentil  va.  thejieliveranee  of  such  a  countryt  .^j^ 
is  the  greatest  blessinc  that  Heaven  could  cenfer.    That  it  faas  V 
beoi  caected  .with  so  little  loss-nthat  so  few  should  clouiji  toe 
•mites  of  ourtriumph*  and  not  a  cypress  lei^be  interwoven  in  the 
wreatii  which  you  present,  ia  a  source  of  the  m<ptfKimnudte^eefr 
surei ■;■■-'>"'-•' '^(^^•n.-v^rq-  :f,  .•♦(jr^:.-- ■;,.;»..■  y^.    ;■-:;.     .:.,  :■<„>•?:.., 

I  thank  yon,  revfread  sir*  meit  wcerely,  fortfaepnjen  w)ikl|^.^ 
you  ofer  up  for  my  happiaess.  May  those  your  jpatnotism,  di^-r 
tates,  for  our  beloved  country*  belirBt  heai4>  anamay  mine  Imt 
your  individual  prosperity,  as  well  as  timt  of.the.congregawip 
committed  to  yew  care,  be  &vourably  received— 4he  prosperity* 
wealth,  and  happiness  of  this  city,  wilt  then  be  comi^ensurate 
wHihtim  cennge  asdother  qualities  of  its  lahabitants. 


.-,  iSiV  Wt'ijSStf 


SIR, 


|IEW  OBLftAN^  ICaivh  30th,  mS, 


I  have  the  hoiM^r,  fgreeabbr  toyottrreguef^tp  •tete.jto  yoiff 
exoeUency,  in  writing,  the  subetance  ojf  a  ,convejgwfi^  that  oc- 
cuned  between  quarter  ina^r  I'errieorjhe.Bntlfh  fimy,  a&d 
myself,  en  the  Uth  instant,  onboard  Jof  $nta^i|lfi  iiMttesty's  'ihlP 
K(eral4  Quarter  mMter  Peine  observed,  that  ^e  coinnumdii^ 
dQlcer»^«f  the  British  fbrceswere  daily  in  the  recmpt  of  evif^ 
information  from  New  Orleans,  which  tiiey  might  require,  in  aijl 
<^  their  operations,  for  the  completion,  m  idie  otjecfs  df  the  ex- . 
pedUioB ;  that  they  were  perfeotiy  aeqiMupted  with  the  situatioB 
of  evmry  part  of  our  forces*  the  maiuier  in  wlueli  tiie  |«me  m 
situatea*  the  number  of  our  fqrt^katloiit,  their  sttreDgth/ppsitioii* 
luv  As  to  the. battery  on  the  left  b^k  of  the  MiMiss)pj^,  he 
described  its  situation,  its  distance  from  the  mam  pos^  aiiff 


4«» 


wniMj  ntkniiOMM  plu  «r  the  irorks.  He  lortiienittre  iti^* 
that  me  ebote  bforaiauon  wu  received  from  seven  or  eij^tpet- 
aoQ9  in  the  citj  of  New  Orleana«  fnxa  whom  he  conl9,  at  an;^  hcui', 
procure  ^veiy  information  neceMary  to  promote  Ms  roi^sty^ 
interest  *  * 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c.- 

CHARLES  K.  BLANCHARD. 


jovh  30th,  l^tS, 


GENERAL  JACKSON'S  Farewett  addmt  to  kb  armjfi 

The  major  cenondia  at  length  enabled  to  perform  the  pleasing 
task  of  restomcto  fennessee,  Kentockj,  Louisiana,  and  the 
territor  J  of  the  Mississippi,  the  brave  troops  who  have  acted  oneli 
a  distingniyhed  part'  in  the  war  which  haa  Just  terannated.  In 
restoring  these  brave  men  to  their  homes,  much  exertion  ia  expect' 
ed  of,  andcreat  reeponiibiiltj  imposed  on, the  commanding  oflMeim 
of  the  diflerettt  coi|w.  It  is  reqnir^  of  maj<Nr  generals  CSarroll 
and  Thomas,  and  brigadier  tcnelMl€oflfee^  to  march;  their  com- 
mands, without  unntk»essarr  aMa]r«4o>tiietr  iespeetive  states.  Hm  , 
trocns  from  ^e  MiseiisitojM  tMrrnorr  and  itate  of  Louisiana,  both 
milraa  and  volunteo^  wul  be  immeoiateljr  nmstered  otttofseprioc^i(H» 
paid^and  dncharged* 

The  nuuor  general  has  the  satis&ction  of  announcing  the  appro*    . 
bation  of  tiieiPresident  of  the  United  States  to  the  conduct  of  thtt 
troims  under  his  command^  eaqtressedrln  tattering  terms,  tiin»|^^«t 
tiie  nonoerabte  the  Secretory  MWaA  . 

fh  pttrttnt  with  those  Iwai e  men,  lilwsij  destiniea  have  been  ao 
long  united  with  his  own,  and  ia'  wfaoae  labors  and  gloriea  it  is  hb 
happintM'lRMl  Jus  boast  to '  hkve  participated,  the  cOmmandirig 
general  can  neither  sttpmresalrii  fo^^toor^e  utteraneelar 
tiiem  as  he  oog^t.  In  wnat  termt  ean  m  bestow  suitable  praise 
en  n|ei;it  so  oxtraordinary,  so  unparalleled?  Let  him,  in  one 
burst  of  jojr,  latitude,  a^d  exHteion,  exclaim,  **  These  are  Uio 
aavioiurs  of  tiimr  count^ ;  these  the  patriot  soldiersi  who  trinmph'* 
ed  over  the  invindUes  of  WiAlington,  aid  conquered  the  con* 
qufrors  of  Rttrcpel**  Witii  what  patience  did  you  sulmnttr  * 
priTttionia^^#ilil  what'  fortitude  did  yon  endure  fatigu»— what 
valW  did  yon  ^splay  inithe  day  of  battle !  You  have  secured  to 
America  a  prona  name  among  tiie  nations  of  ^  eartiif  i^  glory 
which  will  never  ptoish. 

Possessinff  those  dii^lo^tfiNis  which  equally  adorn  the  cidzen 
and  the  solmer,  the  expectatilMis  of  your  country  will  be  met  in 

K\ee;  is  her  iMshek  have  bein  gratified  in  war.    60,  then,  my 
fe  companions,  to  yOnr  homes;  to  those  tender  connexions,  * 
and  blisifal  sceilee*  whi^f«ttder  life  so  dear-^ult  of  honoar,'and 
GMgrved  with  ianinln  thai  H^  never  fade  When  participatini^ 


It 


m 


\mi  'I'fi 


i>    "■     »      t  :.  . 


in  tlM  b^MOw  «C  ^wHrfaniMMr  the  «Ri^9m^j^  i|Mfitr^m»  with 
whathapptTieM  will  mi^lopkb^^f^t^^  vojiliayebpirqeTr 
to  the  aannni  yov  ii<ye  a;icoMn^«le4?  How  M  jtl  jpur  jMifit 
fZDMiiret  M  G(Niyert(4  iiit9  losrcM  ok  bespJ^MJlAe  deU|^tr 
Who,  thatjierer  experiwiced  your  tufforinn,  will  he  iibio  to  ap- 
nreciateyoiir  JQjtl  The  man  whoalumhen^  ingtoriondjatiiome, 
dwinc  J(Hl^  pawlbl  nafchei,  vqnr  i^ighia  of  wafehfulneM,  and 
▼onr  aayaof  tinl,  will  envy  you  tiie  happii^<»a  which  Ihe^e  recol- 
lectione  wUl  afford }  stiH  more  will  he  envj^  ihe  eratifude  of  that 
•onnlrjr,  vHhich  tou  hare  to  emijwntlj  contributed  to  save.    . 

Centinne»  feliow^diers»  on  your  patiage  to  your  several  des> 
tinationtt  to  preienre  thftt  atthonuna^Qn,  mi^  ^yji^fi^  fgij^^  i  f^T 
deportment,  which  have  so  annobled  your  <£aractor.  .  ''"  ^ 
:  WhiU)  the  commanding  generalia. thus  ^jhringindttl^^ 
feeling  tewatdathoie  wave  companions,  who  acc«mpanied<ham 
througn  difficnltiea  and  danoer,  Im  cannot  permit  the  names  of 
Blount,  and  Bhelby,  and  JHmmes,  to  pus  .unnoticei..  With 
what generonSitrdonr andpatri^am faafethese  distingtiisSied  go- 
vemors  contribnted.  att  Aheir  enu!li<^ns,  to  provide  the  m«iii8  f^ 
victory!  The  recollection  of  thmr  exertionsr-a^d  ,crfF^^  Snscess 
which  has  resulted,  will  be  to  .Ihem  a  reward  more  grateful  tiun 
any  which  the  pomp  <^  title,  gr  tli«  s|dendottr  oT  wealth,  can 
bestow.  ■■  •■  m;i 

What  hanfnness  it  is  to  the  commanding  general,  that,  while 
danger  was  Wore  him,  he  was^mi  no  occasMit,-canqpdled  to  use, 
towards  his  cmnpaniona  in  ann%  either  severity  ^Vir^uke.  If, 
idter  the  enemy  taMlreitiiied,iimiura|MNrpas8ionslN^  thn&b  empire 
in  a  few  unwnnrdiy  JMSoms,  and  rMdered  a  mort  to  enermtic 
nmasnies  necessary  for  their  jnppnssion^^ha  has  not  confonided 
Hkit  imiocant  witii'  the>  (gjuUtyNUhe  ifedttced  witii  Hm  jsednfiftrs. 
T^nmrds  yen^iellow^siQldNrBjtfie  mosicheeringrecdlecti^s  exist, 
Uended^  alas!  with  i«giet»  %Miatoaae  and  war  ehotti*^  ^lure  ra- 
vishedfromnas»many»^Wnittiy  Gompaniens.  Bnt-^  KMjof 
thacanaeinswhiehitheypdrishedf^aiMj^idw  virtoeawK  >.  ^mma- 
ted  tlwm.wlulesli!ring»  nmatiOGti»T«the  pfaub  wfaeneiaoRtim  would 
elunrto'dwell. '  .  .^■•^       ^J  •!>?"*    v      -[^.^ 

i  fanwell,  fiAlnwaoldieiftt  The  flnc|M«SBi%.^'<y)attr  gwaaal's 
toanka  ia  feeUe;  butitoe  «»titad«'^f^«co«ntp]r'ef  IrM^  is 
joors^^-fomrs.theap^anse  m  aMadmirilig  worU. 

^lf<nun^  GfencfalCbaimandiitf 


\% 


SIB. 


AI^Am  AT  PG|]^  PEtRE. 


The  colleetor  havittcvinibrmed me  he  waa^abant  to  dls^ilch 
an  express  to  &tevJMnahunmedlitteli^;fi9alK«yailfliffeii#Ji^^ 


4fi 

i^itik  iHitvM  Hni  to  ipP^  t««  tf  tM  nof#in«iift  of  the  tnmy^ 
Ilhtt  Jttit  bileft  repirtM  iha^Vliit«ff<t«tedalai^ 
point  of  Cuinberluidi  A  frinw'w  at  anchor  cffthat  poini  Ai  my 
ttfdffer ioritiijijikiti Mittnia» I Mte  thon^t it  bMt ti^preparo  in 
time,  and  to  ^itkei  il)e  ait iitadt  fitjtetjr  onattor  mattir  ffenerattb 
i^miit  tiw  ind£t  of  tM  nrovilioiit  (df  wbicli  wa  have  a  large  suf^ 
ply)  together  n^  in  the  ammum^dli  eiceptirhatihalt  be  necea- 
aarj  for  immediate  defence  of  the  hitt^rf ,  and  trOoM  under  mareh- 
hit  orderl.  to  a  i»h  point  itea^  Si  ilarf  1i.  But  1  hope  to  have 
itln  my  tttn^r  t6  m^  th^  Memjr  a  ormh  before  I  leave  the 
ffiakM.  I  have  hadM  iiiteHiiPlAr  #ith  eelonei  Scott  of  the  Oeor^ 
^andlitia.  H«  ^r^miaea^ita  t&d  #reiit  of  an  attack  of  mypoai; 
to  co-operate.  1  ad^iMd  him  ti^tike  ]tott  at  Sweet  Water  brandik 
ih6«ld  thi- enemy  attibkMlfr  mirMif.  i  Thia  will  place  Aim 
between  two  iftret.  Ooknel  S<Bi»ti  ^inti  he  can  bring  twohun* 
dred  m^n  with  himr  i^ M,  we ahal^ de  wraiatlbinr. 

,    Veihrfeipectfolgp,  &c. 
A.A.MABSlA9,€t.pt*U,AAifie€om, 

ooMgi  U.S,forenniar  St,  Mmf*8i 


Brigidkr  felieid  Floyd. 


V 


KINGP8  BAY,  13  O^LOCK,  Jarnniy  Uth,  1815.  ^ 

■  t  death  it  expedient  to  mprize  voir  af  ihe  movetoentg  of  the 
enemy*  by  expreia^ ,  They  eflneted  alanding  on  the  north  point  of 
Ci^Qraaribilid  islaikd '^a  BMiraing.  vrllia  aMmNmt  two:  divisions^ 
witiLBidetaen  baigcij«tlMided  by  two  look-eiat  boatain  front,  and 
ibuUled  by  ^o  &Kk  boata  ireiauting  one  gun  each,  ere  passing 
wi^ln  a^  view.  At  fintthty  discovered  rdiapmition  towante 
|[ul^i  iiay ;  but  ascArtainug  we  #ere  prepareidi^TeGeive  thenar 
ihkf  ahewd  their  course  and  look  the  ^mb  ^Orchard  passtaae^ 
ka^uig  Onmberfamd  dose  aboard.  The  firal^division  efeatedlta 
laoi&ik  it  PlnmbQrehard,  theaiBcandat  first  ahowed«  disposition 
to«^aNb  the.  point  Ther,oflleerleftta  charge  of  tho' battery  (at 
the  point)  waa  Mderad  to  be  on  the  look  oat  and  liet  to  let  hina 
WbpfMicli  widr  iibniBrityi  which  H  appeari  he  prbmptly  obeyed. 
0&  of  thaeiitta^*a  barges  welii  eii  of  iine  in  chase  of  ataMajb 
makint  its  retrM^^tigiwmrds  St.  Mary's^  but ««  receiving  ac  shirt 
ly^  aVHto^^^MMh  irhMi  cime  rather  too  near  himV  he  gave  np 
th^fibaie. 

I  .<-<^«^ii»A.' AwMASSIAS^' 

tii^|t£«r  gencml  Fkyd.  >     * 


i.A  k  -. 


«f 


W^UItt  'Viemk-^  fyOWtSKH^JlL  Janu&iy  lldi,  1815. 

Qoqf  aCidiial  ihe  Ibibt    Sixleaft  of  the  enemy'a  bargee 
^^"  aiie  hata  pasted  la  Pvngiiiesa  and  have  landed..  .1 


'  «, 


f '' 


f^ 


It  1  f 


K 


J. 


mmmU  Ma  fiw«* 'V-te  alwiit  KOh*  hnndrid  idUli  m^  M^^ 
Hifir  fleet  it  now  betting  dlan^  <m  $t.  Andrew's  ber,  atwtuck 
•ndtkejcaroein.  V"? 

^  It  wet  mjintention.a|  flnt  it  rtcfije  thenr  ^t  Caliin  Blaff  with 

fMemen.    Thit  eoold  have  been  done  with  pinch  adTiQtate,  but 

it  teem  tiiej  were  anpriMd  ef  onr  intention,  and  nttwea  their 

'««<Beurte  for  the  ^thveide^nd  took  the  Plumb  Orchud  pMiige. 

^^  We  are  now  at  the<point,  and  epi  the  alertiy^aiting  aii.attack» 

'Mdeh  I  expect  monenily.    I  shall  do  mj  best  in  the  event  of  ^ 

Mtreat.    The  assistant  deputy  <|uarter  nastep  ganend  has  been 

'%rdek«d  tor  place  a  supplj  of  ammunition  ana  prc^naiops  atmnost 

jn  nnr  rear  (selected  uy  mjself.)    The  men  h^^e  alw*is  four 

dajs'  provisions  in  advance  (cooked  and  in  their  hiyreaacks)  and 

ready  to  move  toany  point  at  a  moinent'a  warning..  Lhavo  Jttie 

pleasore  to  anticipate  the  best  of  conduct  from  tne  offiovs  and 

men  «nd«r  my  command,    li^fotu^  fciv.  they  an^  yrtlBL ^ooen^ 

^key  discover  great  eagerness  for  nattle.    Thev  bemivoa  well  this 

«momii^in  preparing  to  recmva  the  enemy  at  King's  JBay* 

^  Very«sp»^y^ 

^  emig,U,AtroQf§,8t»Jtlkrf»tkikmi 

jiVrigadierftneittl  riojd. 

8WSBT  WAf^R  BBANCIi,  JiMMMy  144^  laif . 

tlR,.    ■  ':'.\.\r,: 

Hw  enemy  moved  aninst  Pidnt  Petretiiia  momi9g».at  half 
pa&t  7  o^cloek,  with  his  whole  force(about  fifteen  hu^dredO  lllb 
operations  wore  sinmltaneooi*  ^^At  ap  eariy  "hour  this  moriii|tt  I 
received  infurmation  of  his  anproach  on  ipv  jpicko;^  noar  nufor 
^lohnson^aboulfour  and  f^ha^^milstfroin  this  poiiit^  with  about 
«bhibunifared  to  a  thtwaMid  men«  *  rocket  mtdunOb  luid  two  jueces 
ftartiilery  t  awire  of  his  intentions  to  place  fanonelf  in  my,  rofur, 
iphile  be  at  the  same  mmnent  was  advanieiiminiconsid^rabte  lor^ 
■1m  frant  (about  sit  hundred)  to  attack  tha  batieify  at  Point  Peire 
;(oii'tiie  8t  Hart's)  with  an  evident  view  to  cut  off  my  fetraati  I 
mccordingty  mado  the  IbUowing  disposition  sf  mjr  hcaye  mile  ^e. 
jNnlirod  captsin  Stallinp  to«  rtmakiat  thu  pojuit,,with  fmut 
|hiir6|r'«ix«i&»tivee*;WSti»  oroera  to  defond  it  as  long  as  poisude, 
#iid  jf  «verpowered,  to  apikoike  cunsr  IN  tim  tipipXwi^l^ 
naredat  the  maga^ne  and  works)  and  i^ettefkt  to  me,  wpiJbe 
t«Biiti»ie>r  (ab^80men,Ti9emenand  in|bnti7»),tiiHnredlMit 


A«omptete'  eover  for  nflemeit(in  »  i|dc|^  Uv#  oil|  giw 
%»  right  and  left;  th«  evening  previous  (at  a  late  MM^ T 


4ii 


NHttljr  13Ab  1815. 


ei^tlsed  tont  1i^  trees  to  be  fallen  and  'placed  aorou  4>»  deftly 
in  aevend  places,  with  a  view  to  obstrnct  his  passage  asmnclkatf 
posfiible.    As  we  entered  the  defile  Afone  end*  the  enemj  did-so 


il^,  oT  the  4Sd  infantry, 
riflemen,  to  advance  and  gain  the  tiiicket  on  the  enemj's  left ;  Ht 
the  Mune  time  14t  lieutenant  Hariee,  of  the  1st  riffe  r^ment, 
with  another  detachment  of  riflemen,  was  ordered  to  take  pouiin 
the  ticket  on  flieir  right,  and  to  be  in  readiness  to  puw  the 
thicket  in  the  enemy's  rear:tiliis  order  was  promptly  obeyed^ 
Captain  Tattnall,  of  tine  43  infantry,  who  was  with  me  with  the  re- 
mainder (infantry)  was  ordered  to  advance  inclose  column  and 
paSs  the  defile.  At  this  moment  the  enemy's  bugle  sounded,  when 
a  brisk  fire  commenced  on  both  sides,  the  riflemen  on  the  right  and 
left  keeping  a  deadly  fire  on  the  eneuy,  who  was  in  close  coluntfi } 
we  had  already  passed  the  defile  some  distance,  and  the  enemy 
had  {niven  way  twice,  when  captain  Tatnall,  who  stood  nc«r  me« 
received  a  severe  wound  which  oblu;ed  him  to  retire.  This  pro- 
ducted  a  momentary  pause,  when  the  enemy,  beine  encouraged, 
^ssed  forward,  but  was  received  with  unequalled  firmness  by 
the  infantry  and  riflemen  with  me.  By  the  absence  of  captain 
Tatnall,  his  platoon  became  in  charge  of  a  Serjeant  (Benson^  from 
whom  I  received  unexampled  suppon.  But  alas !  our  eflbrts  were 
unavailing,  the  number  of  the  enemy  too  imposing,  a  thousand  to 
eighty  was  too  much  odds :  and  finding  it  im^ssible  to  mamtiiil 
my  position,  and  believing  the  battery  to  be  in  Ihe  hands  of  tiie 
enemy,  (as  three  signal  guns  had  been  fired)  it  was  with  rduet- 
tance  J  ordered  a  retreat,  and  which  I  am  happy  to  state  was 
effected  in  good  order. 

We  took  the  path  to  Mrs.  Qordon*s  plantation  on  the  North 
River,  at  which  point  I  had  (in  the  event  of  my  not  being  able  to 
maintain  myself  in  my  position  or  pass  by  mi^or  King's,)  preti" 
ottsly  secured  (i  laige  boat  i  but  this  was  by  some  one  taken  away^ 
I  had  then  but  one  resource  left  to  pass  the  North  River  (at  mu- 
ler's  Bluff)  in  a  paddling  canoe ;  upon  which  orders  were  sent  to 
ciptaiiTStalfings  to  retreat  to  me,  which  he  promptly  obeyed ;  tiie 
enemy  following  close  in  his  rear.  I  have  nevertheless  tiie  plea- 
sure to  state  we  effected  the  retreat  without  the  loss  of  A  msn. 
WlUle  I  lament  the  necessity  of  inforniln|^  you  of  the  loss  of  tiie 
battery  it  Point  Petre,  I  console  myself  wiui  the  consciousness  of 
haidns  done  my  best  for  its  preservation,  and  of  being  peculi- 
arly fortunate  in  making  good'a  retreat  by  many  considerad  im- 
practicable. 

The  enemy's  loss  most  hate  be«D  considerable.  The  defiltf 
Was  covered  with  Mobd.  It  is  reported  an  officer  of  distinctioni 
Wearing  a  pair  of  gold  epaulets,  was  among  their  slain.  Our  less 
iru  very  inconsi^rable,  as  will  appear  by  the  report  annexed  to 

■*  ■     ■  ii       . 

$0 


iii 


.^*f 


tbia ;  ui4  I  have  .r«Mi^  if^  hfff»  tkat  some  of  our  n^  who  Wi|ni 


,fp«]id  no^  4^  Mstice  i^  the  gentlemen  I  had  the  hqnoar  tQ 
f(«l(p^«pH,  <M!)  IlMlMty  thfy  alt  pfrformed  prodigies,  tMnrond  rea- 
Hw^le.eiip^faqoa  2  they  were  equally  brave.  But  it  I  nay  ba 
jifoifed  to  di%crii)ijiiii|(t9  and  to  recommend  any  to  year  partievlar 
iM^e  and  a^entio*,  it  would  be  captain  E.  T.  Tatnali,  of  the  Aid 
ipliuitry.  He  wsji  conspicuous  in  ev^y  act,  ai^d  gave  me.  th* 
Htmpst  support 

X  cannot  but  considjsr  my  little  band  highly  d^mplimentad  bj 
^  ttiunber  of  th^  enemy  thought  necessary  to  brine  against  tbjsm. 

Very  respectfully,  «c. 
A.  A.  MASi»AS,  Cope. 
CMlg.  U.  S.  fmruft  near  Bt,  Jiiarfi,  Oto, 
^1^.  Gen.  Elofyd. 

la  this  aikir  there  was  1  killed,  4  wounded,  and  9^  misaing. 

GENERAL  JACKSON'S  ADDRESS, 

Mend  at  ^  f^Md  of  each  qf  the  corpi  eompoging  the  lhii4  htlom, 
jVkw  0rktm»,  January  21«t,  1815.  ^^^,^ 

CrrizBKs  AHD  Fbllqw  Soldiees, 

*i1i^  (^ifemy  has  retreated,  and,  your  general  has  now  leiaitrd 
1jf»  pr4Kbim  to  me  world  what  h(^  has  noticed  with  admiration  and 
]^e--yoQr  uijii^aitt^ed^  9 ^^^  patriotism,  and  patieiice 

\i^^  hardaliip*  and  fjitigues.  Natives  of  diffbrent  states,  acting 
togj^^Q^fpr  the  first  tiinc  in  this  qunp,  differing  in  Habits  and  in 
langnake,  uistoad  of  viewing  in  these  circumstaqces  the  germ  of 
dlptrojn  and  division,  you  have  made  them  a  spurce  of  honomrahlet 
ei||iJ||datioii»  81^4  frmn  the  seeds  of  discord  itself,  have  rei^^  th^ 
m|in  <^  an  hpnpifjrabla  uniph. ,  This  day  cpmpliBtes  tiie  fourth 
w^K  since  fif^en  hundred  of  you  attacked  treble  your  number 
d(  ^an.  "^iip  h](4  boas|»d  of  ti^eir  disctpline,  and  their  servlcps 
~^fy^  I ce|j>l^ted^ leader  in  along  and  evfRtfiir war— attacked 


^pircamp  the  m<'f^<'>'*t  toejr  had)  pro&ned  the  ami  pf 
torn  ¥n|m  t]if>ir  nps^lp^t^ead,  apd  infiicted  a  bipir  which  fas 
a,pn^pd^  ^  t|ie  Anal  respli  of  their  attempt  to  copquer,  or  their 
i;^  contfivancf s  tp  divide  us*  A  few  ho\^^  was  sufficient  to 
^nlto.  t}ii|  |^I4f^t  bpnd,  though  at  the  mqin(|nt  they  received  the 

f^efcppV  ft*^^' ^  ''^^^*,^,*^  were  separated  many  li^esin 
M»ept ditectiona frjdijpi tiie wy.  #nie gay ram^ity pf i^mg^^ 
up  cheerful  countenances  of  the  oflkcers  and  men,  V!?ppid  have 
^tfcied  a  belief  that  spi^p  festive  entertainmept^  imi  l^e  atfife 
of  battle,  was  the  pitjiect  ^  which  ti^yha^tenpdVthiiH^  i9i|<^  ^' 
l^ivi^'  apd  hilariiv.  1^  Ht^t  conflict  ^ai  ensued,  ifie  avne  ij0^% 
mi  snppprte^,  and  my  communicatilpns  tp  the  execut£?;p  oC^f 
voitaa  States  have  testified  the  sense  1  haitt  entertuned  o^  the 


*?. 


JBSMi 


ncriti  qIT  mfe  c^ynb  litila  officcra  fliiA  ^iji'e  InMigi^.  Kamoxoii 
the  Held  of  battle,  they  retired  hi  peif(6ct  orde?d&  the  hnt'tedrtf- 
Ing  to  theie  liiiei,  denihed  to  bN^come  th6  fcene  of  futnM  Vldto- 
riet,  which  tliej  were  to  shari  with  the  r^st  of  j&i,  mr  Wc¥% 
compAiiions  in  arms.  Scarcely  were  your  lines  k  pi^tecidon  isiMt 
toniket  shot,  when,  on  the  2Sth.  a  mabositidn  was  made  to  ittaok 
thtm  with  all  the  pomp  and  parade  or  military  tactics,  ts  fmpr<if#- 
«d  br  those  veterans  of  the  Spanish  wat*. 

Tneir  batteries  of  heavy  cannon  kept  up  ah  tnctssant  fire ; 
ttieir  rockets  illumined  the  air,  aftd  under  their  cover  two  str^ 
columns'  threatened  our  flanks.  The  foe  liilolentlv  thought  thtt 
this  spectacle'was  too  imposing  to  be  resisted,  and  in  the  intoxi- 
cation of  his  pride  he  already  saw  our  lines  abandoned  without  k 
contest-^ow  were  Ihose  menacing  appearances  met?  By  shouts 
Df  defiance,  by  a  manly  countenance  not  to  be  shaken  by  thfe  iMir 
of  his  cannon,  by  theglare%2  his  fire  work  rockets V  br  an  ai^l- 
lery  served  with  superior  skill  and  with  d^dly  effect.  Never* 
tey  brave  friends,  can  your  general  forfeet  the  testintonials  t^f  at- 
tachment to  our  riorious  cause,  of  iiidignaht  hatred  to  our  foe, 
of  afeclionate  confidence  in  your  c^ief,tiiat  resounded  from  every 
fink  ai  he  passed  al6n(||;yobr  litae.  Tliis  ahiinited  and  un^^ctltt 
wikh^  damped  the  courage  of  the  enimy ;  he  iih^pp«>d  Ms  scaHi^g 
l4di!ler8  and  fascraes,  aim  the  thk^teued  attack  dwindled  into  ^ 
itmohitraHon,  which  served  only  to  show  fte  emptiness  of  h!i 
pv«dek  and  to  inspire  you  with  ii  Just  c^fidehce  in  jourinelve*. 

llie  neilr  year  was  ushered  in  nidth  the  mkost  tSremenddliB  fiiie 
lib  HrhdU  millehr  could  prodnce ;  is  few  hours  6nly,  hoWeVei*, 
#iei«  neceisury  for  the  brave  and  skilfnl  iheti  who  dit^ctM  our 
•#n,  to  dismount  his  cinnoh,  diei^jr  his  batteries,  And  etRbthrtiV 
siltece  Kis  fite.  Hitherto,  mV  brkvie  fHends,  in  the  cbntestA  en 
our  lines,  your  courage  had  be^n  jAtssiiVe  obly ;  y^  stood  With 
clodnes^,  k  fiiPe  thst  Would  have  tried  the  firmnels  of  a  vc^t^^. 
^d  ydn  anticipated  »  hearer  contest  widi  an  eagemesiwhidi ilris 
soon  to  be  gratified. 

Oil  tfaie  li^  of  lahuSry,  t)i6  final  effort  wiu  ihlide.  At  tiie  v  ^^^ 
of  day  th^  hittteries  opened,  and  th^  cblumh^  idvihced.  Knoiri  % 
H^t  the  vol^t^ers  ftota  Tennessee  ah^  tfi^  likilitik  fr6m  KehtiSrcky 
ihn  stati6M  ^  your  left,  it  i^as  thtre  they  directed  their  idbf «1 
«ttac|E. 

'  R^asMigll^wayS  from  false  principle,  thty  te^liteted  i6<^bpp- 
ilfjon  IBolnlneh  whiMe  officers  eveta  #ere  not  tn  tlikilbirin,  #Ro 
were  i|faoiiiit  of  the  rtiles  and  dress,  knd  Whbhad  hlhrer  bMn 
Htkfi  into  lKsclplin«-4htal  iteistiike  \  a  fire  incessantly  keiit  iih, 
diluted  Wik  calibness  and  #ith  Unerring  aim,  strewed  the  ftkfd 
«rith  MteNhrestdfficerskhd  Men  of  the  enlamn#h(ck  slbwlyifi. 
vknded,  «6e<it«lili^  to  tbe  toost  npproirM  rnltes  of  E«ih»p(bitt  flit' 
fiipl,  ihd  ^  cut  dt)#ti  by  the  iiht^torM  courage  6f  iHifiriMn 
UpaHlia.  tJttibl^  b  wbiain  this  gating  ^d  nncieftSiilJE  fiht.  Mile 
hundreds  nearest  the  enti%nchments,  ckHed  for  q^lMrleri  #hKh 


■-^^ 


4TI 


"St:  if 


•      I 


■  1*1      l# 


WM  granted ;  tht  r«tt  mlNAtiiig,  wnre  ralltod  at  mhm  diitantier 
but  onljr  to  make  them  a  ivrer  mark  for  the  gtmpe  and  canister 
.  ikot  of  our  artUlerjt  wUch,  .without  exaggeration,  mowed  down 
whole  ranks  atoTery  discharge;  and  at  length  they  precipitately 
retired  from  the  field. 

Our  right  had  only  a  short  contest  to  sustain  with  a  few  rash 
men,  who,  fiitalW  for  themseWes,  forced  their  entrance  into  the 
unfinished  redoubt  on  the  river.  They  were  auickly  dispossessed, 
and  this  glorious  day  terminated  witn  the  loss  to  the  enemy  of 
their  commander  in  chief  and  one  mi^or  general  killed,  another 
i^or  general  wounded,  the  moot  experienced  and  bravest  of  their 
officers,  and  more  than  thm  tfunumiid  man,  killed,  wounded  and 
.missiu;;  while  our  ranks,  my  fiienas,  were  thinned  only  by  the 
Icis  of  six  (tf  our  brave  companions  killed,  and  sevm  disabled  by 
wounds— 4Pond«/tt<  interpoaUion  of  heaven  i  unexamfUd  event 
inthehietorffof  worJ  »« 

Let  us  be  grateful  to  the  God  or  battles  who  has  directed  the 
.arrows  of  ind^ation  against  our  invaders,  while  he  covered  ¥rith 
his  protecting  shield  the  brave  defenders  of  their  country. 

After  this  unsuccessful  and  disastrous  attempt,  their  spirits 
were  broken,  thmr  force  was  destroyed,  and  their  whole  attention 
was  employed  in  providing  the  means  of  esnape.    This  they  have 
effected,  leaving  their  heavy  artillery  in  our  power,  and  manv  of 
,  their  wounded  to  our  clemency.    The  consequences  of  thb  snort 
but  decisive  campaign,  are  incalculably  important.    Thv  pride  of 
.our  arro|ant  enemy  humbled,  his  fturces  broken,  his  leaoers  kil- 
led,  his  msolent  hopes  of  our  disunion  frustrated,  his  expecta- 
.  tion  of  rioting  in  our  spoils  and  wasting  our  country  changed  in- 
to ignominious  defeat,  shuneful  fli|^t,  and  reluctant  acknowledg- 
^ment  of  the  humanity  and  kindness  cl*  those  whom  he  had  doom- 
,ed  to  all  the  horrors  and  humiliation  of  a  conquered  state. 

On  the  other  side,  unanimi^  established,  disaffection  crushed, 
V<sonfidence  restored,  your  country  saved  from  conquest,  your 
property  from  pillage,  your  wives  and  dauditers  firom  iwnU  and 
;t|tof«Non,  tiie  union  preserved  from  dismemberment,  and  periiaps 
a  period  piit  by  this  decisive  stroke  to  a  bloody  and  savage  ivar. 
These,  my  brave  Mends,  are  the  consequences  of  the  efforts  yf>u 
fhave  made,  and  the  success  with  which  they  have  been  crowned 
by  heaven. 

These  important  results  have  been  effected  by  the  united  cou- 

,irage  and  perseven^ice  of  the  arm j;  which  the  diflferent  corps, 

as  well  as  the  individuals  that  compose  it,  have  vied  with  each 

other  in  their  exertions  to  |Nroduce,    Hie  share  they  have  ^o 

pectively  bad  will  bepointed  out  in  the  general  order  Accompanijr- 

.ixig  this  address.    But  the  sratitude,  the  admiration  M  thdr 

.  country, .  oljRers  a  fairer  rewarcT  than  that  which  any  praise  of  the 

mnerai  can  bestow,  and  the  best  ia  that  of  which  they  can  never 

pe  deprived,  the  consciousness  of  havbg  done  their  datj,  aatd  9S 

meriting  the  applause  thej^  will  receive. 


47f 


.* 


Md  canister 
mowed  dowa 
7  pradpiutelj 

ith  a  few  nsh 
ranee  into  the 
ydiapoMOised, 
0  the  enemj  of 
^Ued,  another 
mveit  of  their 
wounded  and 
ed  onljr  bj  the 
wii  disabled  by 
xampUd  emt 

u  directed  Ae 
e  covered  with 
iottntrjr,      '.. 
t,  their  spirits 
vhole  attention 
This  they  have 
r,  and  manjr  of 
es  of  this  short 
Hienrideof 
lis  leaders  kil- 
i*  hisezpecta- 
rj  changed  in- 
itacknowledg- 
I  he  had  doom- 
d  state, 
tction  crushed, 
mquest,  jrour 
rom  intiU  and 
t»andperiiapi 
>d  savage  war, 
the  efforts  jijbu 
been  crowned 

le  united  cou- 
iiferent  coips, 
iod  with  each 
lej  have  )t^< 

raccompanj- 
ition  of^thdr 
praise  of  the 
BJ  can  never 
'dBtjr.andtf 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 

HEAD  QUARTERS,  7th  MLITAIIT  DI8TIICT, ' 
Camp  bcfbre  New  OrteMuy  A4j>  Genonl'a  OAoe,  Januuy  91ft,  1811. 

Before  the  camp  at  these  memorable  lines  shall  be  broken  up, 
the  general  thinks  it  a  dutv  to  the  brave  armyirhicb  has  defended 
them,  publid  J  to  notice  tne  conduct  of  the  different  corps  which 
compose  it  The  behaviour  of  the  rvular  troops,  consisting  of 
piarts  of  the  7th  and  44th  regiments  ofinfantrj,  and  the  corps  of 
marines,  all  commanded  by  colonel  Ross,  has  been  such  as  to 
merit  his  warm  arorobation.  The  7th  regiment  was  led  bv  mn|or 
Peyre,  and  the  44th  by  captain  Baker,  in  the  action  of  the  add, 
in  a  manner  that  does  those  officers  the  highest  honour.  They 
have  continued  throu^  the  campai^  to  do  their  duty  with  the 
same  zeal  and  ability  with  which  it  was  commenced.  On  that 
.occasion  the  countiy  lost  a  valuable  officer  in  the  death  of  Uente- 
nant  McClellan,  of  the  7th  infanter,  who  fell  while  bravely  lead- 
ing his- company.  Lieutenant  Dupuy,  of  the  44th,  although 
severely  wounded  in  this  action,  retumcMi  in  Ume  to  take  a  shwt 
in  idl  tne  subsequent  attacks. 

To  the  Tennessee  mounted  gun  men,  to  their  gallant  leader, 
brigadier  Reneral  Coffee,  the  general  presents  his  warmest  thanks, 
not  only  ror  their  uniformly  good  conduct  in  action,  but  for  the 
wondenul  patience  with  which  they  have  borne  the  fatiffue,  and 
the  perseverance  with  which  they  surmounted  the  difficiHties  of  a 
'most  painful  march,  in  order  to  meet  the  enemy->-«  dil^nce  and 
zeal  to  which  we  probably  owe  the  salvation  of  the  countnr. 
Ordinary  activity  would  have  bron^^t  them  too  late,  to  act  tne 
brilliant  part  they  have  performed  in  the  defeat  ef  our  invaders. 
All  the  officers  of  that  coips  have  distinguished  themselvea4  but 
the  general  cannot  avoid  mentionin|[  the  name  of  lieutenant  colo- 
nel Lauderdale,  who  fell  on  the  night  ef  the  23d,  and  those  of 
colonels  Dyer,  Gibson,  and  Elliott  who  were  wounded,  but 
disdaining  personal  considerations,  remained  firm  to  their  duty. 

The  cavalry  from  the  Mississipin  territory,  under  their  enter- 
prising leader,  miyor  Hinds,  was  always  ready  to  .perform  every 
service,  which  the  nature  of  the  country  enabled  them  to  execute. 
The  daxuig  manner  in  which  they  reconnoitred  the  ^nemy  on  his 
lines,  excited  the  admiration  of  one  army  and  the  astonishment 
of  the  other. 

Miyor  general  Carroll,  commanding  the  detachment  of  West 
f  «[|nessee  militia,  has  shown  the  greatest  zeal  for  tiie  servicoj  a 
strict  attention  to  diity,  and  an  ability  and  courage  that  will 
.  always  recommend  him  to  the  gratitude  of  his  country.  His  troops 
have}  since  the  lines  were  formed,  occufned  and  defended  toe 
weakest  part  of  them,  and  bctme,  without  a  roormnr,  an  encamp- 
ment on  a  marshy  and  unhealthy  joil*  In  the  memorable  ac^n 
of  the  Qth  of  Januaiy,  the  chief  effort  of  ^e  enemy  was  dijpected 
Isgainst  them,  but  their  >slor,  and  thatof  tiie  brave  men  who  sup* 


«t 


iM^ 


' 


Hi. 

ll; 

If: 


471 

K tried  them  (generti  Cotbeli  brigidt  on  4m  left,  tnd  a  put  of 
e  KentttokjT  troope  on  the  right,)  toon  nede  it  clear  that  a 
rampart  of  high-minded  men  ia  a  Mtter  defence  than  the  most 
reiular  fortification. 

General  Adair,  who,  owing  to  the  indiipotition  of  general 
Th<tmas,  brought  up  the  Kentnckr  militia,  haa  ihown  that  troopa 
will  alwajri  be  reliant  when  their  leadera  are  w.  No  men  ever 
diaplajeo  a  more  tallant  spirit  than  they  did  under  that  ittoat 
¥ahiable  officer.    Hia  countrjr  is  under  obTigationl  to  him. 

The  general  would  be  ungrateful  or  imenaiMe  to  merit  if  h# 
did  not  particularly  notice  tie  conduct  of  the  officers  atod  meA 
who  so  bravely  supported,  and  so  skitfullr  directed,  Ms  artillOrj. 
Colonel  McRea,  in  the  action  of  the  83d,  showed  as  h^  alwayl 
does,  great  conrate.  Lieutenant  Spotts,  under  whose  immiediata 
dtrecnon  our  artiilerj  had  been  placed,  led  it  to  action  with  i 
darihg  connuw  worthy  of  admiration.  Captain  HompKr^ys  com* 
mended  the  Brst  battery  on  our  right.  The  service  is  gi:  alijr 
fndebted  t6  that  officer,  not  only  for  th^  able  and  gallant  mtoner 
fn  which  he  directed  his  Are,  but  for  the  general  activity  he  dit 
played  in  his  department. 

Lieutenant  Norrit,of  the  navy,  With  Mr.  Walkers  Martii^,  and 
a  detachment  of  Seamen,  was  stationed  at  the  8d  battery,  and 
lieutenant  Crawley,  with  Mr.  W.  Livingston,  master's  mate,  with 
a  similar  detachment,  wiere  stationed  at  a  SS  pounder,  wMch  #ail 
remarkably  well  directed.  They  performed  their  duty  with  ttfe 
seal  and  bravery,  which  has  always  characterized  th^  navr  of  this 
United  States.  Captains  Dominique  and  Belluohe,  lately  comr 
mending  privateers  at  Barataria,  witii  part  of  their  former  cre# 
and  many  brave  citizens  of  New  Orleans,  were  stationed  athum- 
bers  S  and  4.  The  general  cannot  av6id  giving  his  warm  appro- 
bation of  the  manner  in  which  these  gentlemen  have  unifprmlt 
conducted  themselves  while  under  his  comlhand,  and  of  tfie  gal- 
lantry with  vrhich  they  have  redeemed  the  pledge  they  gave  at  ike] 
opening  of  the  campaign  to  defend  ihe  country.  The  brothers 
Lafitte  have  exhibited  the  same  ^courase  and  fidolity,  ailid  the' 
gmieral  promises  that  the  government  simll  be  duly  apprized  tf 
tneir  conduct.  Colonel  I^rry,  deputy  quarter  master  ^nertl, 
volunteered  his  services  at  namber  o.  He  was  ably  aided  hf 
lieutenant  Kerr,  of  the  artillery.'  His  battiery  was  well  served, 
bravely  supported,  and  greatly  annoyed  the  enemy.  Nnmberi  8 
and  9  were  directed  bvUeutenant  Bpotts  Mrith  his  usn&l  skill  and 
bravery,  assisted  by  Mr.  Cheaveaq. 

The  general  takes  the  highest  pleasure  in  Noticing  the  condte^t 
of  gieneral  Garriqne  de  Flaojac;  commandinje;  one  of  the  britadei(^ 
of  milttia  of  this  state,  %nd  member  of  the  Senate.   Hi's  bi^gide'' 
pot  being  in  the  field,  as  soon  as  tiie  invasion  wto  khi^m  he  re- 
paired to  the  camp  and  offertd  hitaself  as  a  volunteer  for  ttm 
service  of  a  j^iece  of  artiHery,  Which  h^  directed  witii  Okh  Hittt ' 
whith  was  to  be  expected  from  an^  expeirtenced  artilflry  t»fficer« 


m^m 


Ditdiininc  tht  •xtmption  afforded  by  his  icat  in  the  Senate,  he 
^ontinuedin  thie  luberdinete  but  honourable  station ;  and  bjr  hie 
example  u  well  at  hie  eurtion  hw  rendered  esaential  lervicee  tp 
hia  countiy.  Mr.  Sebaatian  Uiriart,  of  the  saroo  body,  let  the 
aame  example,  lenred  a  ctmaiderable  time  in  the  ranks  of  the 
▼oluntecr  battalion,  an'd  afterwarda  as  adjutant  of  iH<>  colored 
troope.  Bf  idor  Planche*s  battalion  of  volunteers,  tlio«|^  deprived 
of  the  valuable  services  of  miyor  Carniac,  who  commanded  them, 
bv  a  wound  which  that  officer  received  in  the  atUck  of  the  SStli 
of  December,  have  realized  all  the  anticipations  which  the  general 
had  formed  of  their  conduct.  Midor  Planche  and  mi^or  St.  Jame, 
of  that  corpe,  have  distinguishea  themselves  bjr  their  activitv, 
their  courue,  aud  their  zeal ;  and  the  whole  corps  have  greatly 
contribtttea  to  enable  the  general  to  redeem  the  pledge  he  gave, 
when  at  the  opening  of  the  campaign  he  promised  the  country 
not  only  safety,  but  a  splendid  triumph  over  its  insolent  invaders, 
llie  two  corps  of  colored  volunteers,  have  not  disappointed  4khe 
hopes  that  were  formed  of  their  courase  and  perseverance  in  the 
performance  of  their  duty.  Miyors  Lacnete  and  Daquin,  who 
commanded  them,  have  deserved  well  of  their  country.  Captain 
Savary^s  conduct  hat  been  noticed  in  the  account  rendered  of  the 
battle  of  the  2Sd ;  and  that  officer  haa  since  continued  to  merit 
the  highesipraise.  Captain  Beale's  company  of  th&citj  riflemen 
haa  sustained,  by  its  subsequent  conduct,  the  reputation  it  ac(|uired 
in  the  action  of  the  £$d.  Colonel  de  la  Ronde,  of  the  Louisiana 
militia,  has  been  extremely  serviceable  by  his  exertions,  and  haa 
shown  great  courage,  and  an  uniform  attachment  to  the^cause  of 
the  Gountnr.  Oicneral  Humbert,  who  offered  his  services  as  i| 
iteer,  haa  continually  exposed  himself  to  tlie  greatest  dangers, 
his  characteristiG  Bravery^  aa  has  also  the  Mexican  field 
hal  don  Juan  de  Anayer,  who  acted  in  the  savie  capacity* 
le  general  acknowledges  the  important  assistance  he  hasreceiv-' 
ed  from  ootaimodore  Patterson,  as  well  by  his  professional  exer- 
tion,  as  the  zealous  co-operatiion  of  his  department  during  the 
whole  course  of  the  campai^.  Captain  Henley,  on  board  the  Ca- 
roline, and  afterwfrds  in  directing  the  erection  of  several  batte- 
ries at  the  Bayou  and  on  the  rig^t  bank  of  the  river,  was  of  great 
utility  to  the  army.  Lieutenant  Alexis,  of  the  navy,  stationed  in 
the  navy  arsenal,  was  indefatinble  in  exertions  to  forward  to  the 
army  ever^  thing  which  could  facilitate  its  operations-^is  zeal 
and  activity  deserve  the  notice  of  ^vemment.  Major  Nicks, 
who  by  an  accidental  wound  waa  depnved  of  ^e  pleasure  of  com- 
i^anding  the  rth  redmljMit  during  the  campaign,  waa  coutinuaUy 
eniployed  in  the  fori,  and  furnished  the  ammunition  and  the  artil- 
lery thft  vyaa  wanted,  with  the  greatest  activity  and  promptitude. 
To  the  voluntf^ers  of  the  Mississippi  territwy,  and  to  the  militia 
of  the  remoter  parts  of  this  state,  M(ho  have  arrived  since  the  de^ 
cbiye  SiCtion  or  the  8th,  the  general  tenden  his  thanks,  and  is 
convinced  that  notidng  but  opportunity  was  wanting  to  entitle 


i 


ii 


/,' 


■x-i? 


t 


#-. 


m 


4^ 


I    5! 


'UU 


*•, 


them  to  the  praises  that  have  been  merited  bj  the  rest  of  th^  &r« 
my.  Captttn  CI|Kdeii!8  trOoip  mf  fcoipe  vas  peculiarltuieliil  bj  their 
local  knowledse  of  the  grouj^d  o^  w^blph^the^  ijkctea }  and  the  small 
detachment  of  the  Attacapas  dragoons,  stationed  near  h<2ad  quar^ 
ters,  were  indefatigable  in  performvpig  all  the  duties  which  de* 
Voli^ohthem. 

>  The  general  would  not  do  justice  to^  his  staff,  if  he  did  not 
bestow  dese^ed  praise^on  ,tbe  adjutant  genend,  colonel  Butler, 
aind  4)is  assistant,  majoi"  Chotard,,  for  the  :^eal  and  activity  in  thft 
imporknt  department  of  service  confided  to  them,  and  for  the 
J^vetj  which  led  them^  wherever  danger  or  duty  required  their 
presence.  The  vigilance,  courage  and  attention  to  duty  exjiiblicd 
during  tlie  campai^,  by  coloHDei  Haynes,  and  his  two  assistants, 
majors  Davis  and  Hampton,  have  been  appreciated  as  they  de- 
served to  be  by  their  general.  V 

Tlie  general's  aids-de-camp,  Thomas  L.  Butierand  captain 
Joltti  Reid,  as  well  as  his  volunteer  aids,  Messrs.  Livin^toii* 
Duncan,  Grymes,  Dupessis,  and  major  Daverac  de  Castera,  th^ 
judge  advocate,  have  mented  thethanks  of  the  general  by  the 
calm  and  deliberate  courage  they  have  displayed  on  every  occa- 
sion, tod  in  ever^  situation  that  called  it  forth.  The  topograph!- 
cal  enfiineer,ima{or  Tatumi  exhibited  all  the  ardor  of  youth  in  the 
hdur  of  P^ril,  united  to  the  experience  acquired  by  his  long  ser- 
vices. The  chief  enf^eer,  major  Lacarriere  de  la  Tour,  has 
been  useful  to  the  army  b^  hjis  talents^  and  bravery.  The  same 
praises  are  due  to  his  assistants,  captain  Lewis  Livingston  uid 
Mr.  Latrtrifee.  The  medical  staffhas  merited  well  of  the  country,  and 
the  general  would  not  do  justice  to  his  own  feelinffs,  were  he  |(i 
withhold  from  doctor  Rer,  hospitdl  sui^geon,  who  volunteer 
8«rrices,  and  doctor  Flood,  the  just  tribute  of  appUuse  4ei 
by  them  for  their  medical  skill  and  personal  iM^very.  l^e  _^ 
ter  master's  deM^rtment,  though  deprived  of  the  personal  ea 
tions  of  colonel  ^att,  who  was  wounded  in  the  nig^t  liction  of  the 
SSd,  performed  well  all  their  duties.  Macjor  general  Vitlere^nd 
brigaoier  generid  Moi^n*  have  merited  the  approbation  of  the 
general  by  their  unwearied;  attention  since  tiiey  took  the  field*    ; 

The  large  mortar  wa&  ably  directed  by  captain  Lefebre  and 
by  Mr,  Gilbert.  Captain  Bi^Qjchard  was  verv  useful  las  an  enj^- 
neer,  and  merits  tiie  KeneriUl^s  praise  for  the  celerity  and  skill 
with  which  he  erected  tiie  Mtenr  which  now  command  the  river, 
on  the  right  of  tive  camp.  Mr*  Busquet  and  Mr.  Duco'n,  of  major 
St  Gen^s  company,  displayed  gi-eat  knowledge  and  dexterity  as 
artillerists.  To  the  vhole  army,  the  (i^iferal  presents  the  aiiur- 
ftnce  of  hie  official  approbation  and  of  his  individual  regard.  This 
splendid  cftmpaign  will  be  considered  as  entitiing  every  man  who 
has  tervtd  in  it  to  the  salutation  of  his  brother  in  arms. 


By  command, 


ROBERT  BUTLER,  4i^'.  Gen. 


f 


Ka 


m 

p.  B.  M.  SHIP  BNDI^ON,  4T  «BA,  iMMUy  iW^  VUi. 

7!}»  pmh\  duty  of  d«tai)iiig  t<^  yott  ^t  pi^tdir  eiine 
which  preceded-atid  W  tu  the  cM>iure  <tf  the  late.lTnited  Stater 
^Affti^  jpjrc^idenjt,  hjr  a  squadron  of  hisBthamuc  m^esty's  shipi 
j(api  Mr  lOfitgiii)  has  4evoIved  Hpqo  me.  In  my  communicadon  of 
1^9  I4th,  r ipfid^  knowii  to  jrdu  my  intention  «f  ttroceedin§  tp 
A?a  on  ibjit  eyening.  Owing  to  some  mistake  of  the  nilots*  thtt 
^W  m  gpiM;  out  j^und^on  the  bar,  wnere  (die  continued  to 
9trULe  heavily  for  an  hour  and  a  halfi  Althongjh  she  liad  broken 
ji^v^ii^  of  her  rudderrbraces,  and  had  received  suph  other  materUfl 
jlnjury  »n  to  render  her  return  into  port  desirable,  I  was  unablf  tO 
4o  ao  .fnm  the  string  westerly  wina  which  was  then  blowing*  It 
bfiing  now  high  water,  it  became  necessary  to  forc^  her  over  the 
4^  pf^fpre  die  tide  fell;  in  this  we  succeeded  by  10  o'clock,  when 
9frfi  shaped  puf  coursea  IdoM;  the  ^ore  of  Long  Island  for  50 
inil«#,  and  ;l^n  steered  soui^-east  by  eaat*  At  5  o*clook,  threp 
ahipp  w^e  discovered  ahead  f  we  Immediately  hauled  up  the  shin 
and  M93^d  two  miyies  to  0ie  northward  of  them,  ^t  djay  light, 
l»r^  dwcpvj^d  jBifir  ships  in  chase,  one  on  each  quarter  and  tV9 
Mi'^m*  the  leading  ship  of  the  enemy  a  razee  j  she  commenci^ 
^a  ^Ep  iipoiia  »|»,  hut  without  eOect  At  meridian,  the  wind  became 
)ight  ^d  haffli^ig,  we  had  inpreased  onr  distance  fmrn  the  raze0, 
b^t  th?  pe|:t.sh4»  astern,  which  was  also  a  laige  ship,  had  gained 
^nd  ^ntinufid  fo  gidn  iipon  us  considerably ;  line  immediately  pc 
copied  all  hands  to  lighten  ship,  by  starting  watier,  outtingthe  a^- 
ichors,  thcpwii^  overboard  provisions,  cabMs,  spare  spars,  boats, 
and  ev^ry  article  that  coula  be  got  at,  keeping  die  satis  w«ft  Grom 
t)^e  royafr  down.  At  three,  we  had  the  wind  quite  light  i  the  ene- 
my, who  had  now  b^en  joiiked  by  a  bii^,  had  a  strong  breeze  and 
were  coding  \ip  wUh  us  rapidly.  The  Endymion  mountina;  80 
gvm,  $A  pounders  on  the  main  deck,  had  now  approached  u'tt 
within  gun  aiiot,  aod  had  commenced  a  fire  with  her  bow  gtiiis, 
ivHichwe  r^^rned  from  our  stem.  At  5  o'clock,  she  had  obtain* 
ed  a  position  on  our  starboard  quarter,  within  half  point  blank 
thftt,  on  which  neiitjlier  our  stem  nor  quarter  gnns  would  bear  j 
|ve  were  pow  stc^rin^  east  by  north,  the  wind  north-west*  I  re- 
mained with  her  in  tills  position  for  hdf  an  hour,  in  the  hope  tiiitt 
^  Hfpuld  close  with  us  on  our  broadside,  in  which  case  I  had 
l^api^d  w^  crew  to  ho^,  but  from  his  continuing  to  yaw  I4e 
d^  to  mainl^A  .Us  jposition*  it  became  evident  that  to  clpee  wtf 
his  intention.  <^i^ry  jfire  now  cut  some  of  our  juiils  or'ri^nc. 
Toh^Ve  c^^nu(ed  ««r  course  under  these  circuQittances,  wottul 
hjftve  be^  ^<^^f  ^^i^  ^*  pow^  to  crirafle  na,  without  being  enb- 
ject  to  injury  himself,  and  to  have  hauled  in>  m<qre  to  the  north- 
wai^  ^  bi^^  onr  tterp  gwna  tobeav,  would^have  ei^Nised  ^ft  ia 
M9  raking  fire.  It  was  now  daik,  when  I  datennined  tv  iHer  my 
^  61 


■•l|,'i 


'".p''! 


I 


t^^ 


4mn 


''%■;■ 


If'':  l?  'im 


482 

tiouree  southi  for  the  purjwse  of  briii|iiig  tKe  t&emy  abeam,  aii4 
althoueh  their  ships  astern,  were  drawinj;  up  fast,  I  felt  satisfied 
I  should  be  enabled  to  tnrow  him  out  of  the  combat  before  ther 
oottid  come  Up,  and  was  not  wHhout  hopes,  if  the  ai^t  proved 
dark,  (of  which  there  was  every  appearance)  that  I  micht  still  be 
fmsoied  to  make  my  escape*    Our  opponent  kept  off  at  the  same 
instant  we  did,  and  commenced  at  the  same  time.  We  Continued 
•nsaged  steering  south  with  steiirinfl;  sails  set  two  hours  and  a 
JiaiT,  when  we  completely  succeeded  in  dismAtttlink  her.    Pre- 
viously to  her  dropping  entirely  out  of  ^Jie  action,  tnere  were  in- 
tervals of  minutes,  when  the  ships  were  broadside  and  broaoside, 
in  which  she  did  not  fire  a  cun.    At  this  period  (half  past  8 
o^clock)  although  dark,  the  other  ships  of  the  squadron  were  in 
sight  and  almost  witiiin  gun  shot.    We  were  of  course  compelled 
to  abandon  her.    In  i-esuming  oiir  formed  course  for  the  purpose 
of  avoiding  the  squadron,  we  were  compelled  to  present  our 
•tern  to  our  antagonist ;  but  such  was  hiR  state,  though  we  were 
thus  exposed  and  witiiin  ranee  of  his  g&ns  for  half  an  hour,  that 
h^  did  not  avail  himself  of  this  favourable  opportunity  of  rakinc 
as.    We  continued  this  course  until  11  o'clock,  when  two  fresh 
ships  of  the  enemy  (the  Pomona  and  Tenedos)  had  come  op. 
The  Pomona  had  opened  her  fire  on  the  larboard  bow,  within  mus- 
ket shot  i  the  other  about  two  cables'  len^h  astern,  taking  a  raking 
position  onour  quarter ;  and  the  rest,  with  the  exceptionof  theEn- 
dymion,  within  gun  sfiot.  Thus  situated,  with  about  one^-fifth  of  my 
crew  killed  and  wounded,  my  ship  crippled,  and  «  more  than  four 
fold  force  opposed  to  me,  without  a  chance  of  escape  left,  I 
deemed  it  my  duty  to  surrender. 

It  is  with  emotions  of  pride  I  bear  testimony  to  the  gallantry 
nnd  steadiness  of  every  officer  and  man  I  had  nie  honour  to  com- 
mand on  this  occasimi,  and  I  feel  satisfied  that  the  fact  of  tiieir 
beating  a  force  equal  to  themselves,  in  the  presence  am)  almost 
under  the  guns  of  so  vastly  a  superior  force,  when  too,  it  was  al- 
most self-evident,  that  wnateyer  their  exertions  might  be,  they 
must  ultimately  be  captured,  will  be  taken  as  evidence  of  "what 
they  would  have  performed,  had  the  force  opposed  to  then  been  in 
any  degree  equal.  . 

It  is  with  extreme  pain  I  have  to  inform  you. that  lieutenants 
Babbit,  Hamilton,  and  Howell,  fell  in  the  action.  They  have 
left  no  ofiicera  of  superior  merit  behind  them. 

If,  sir,  the  issue  of  this  affair  had  been  fortunate,  1^  should  have 
felt  it  my  duty  to  have  recommended  to  your  attention,  tieute- 
nants  Shubrick  and  Gallagher.  Thcr  maintuned  throu^  the  day 
the  reputation  they  had  acquired,  in  former  actions; 

Lieujtenant  Twi£|;s,  of  the  marines,  displayed  great  zeal ;  hi» 
men  were  well  supplied  and  their  fire  incomparwley  so  long  as 
the  enemy  continued  within  musket  range. 
^  Midshipman  Randolph,  who  bad  charge  of  the  forecwtle  divi- 
aioB,  managed  it  to  my  entire  8atisfacti<m« 


4SS 

From  Mr.  Robinion,  who  was  8<»nring  as  a  volnnteeft  I  rtceiv- 
•d  esaential  aid,  particu7  rly  after  I  was  deprived  of  tlie  services 
•f  the  master,  ana  ».  v  loss  t  had  sustained  in  my  officers  ob 
the  auarter  deck. 

^  Or  our  loss  in  killed  &iad  wounded,  I  am  unable  at  present  to 
l^ve  jou  a  correct  statement;  the  attention  of  the  surgeon  being 
so  entirely  occupied  with  the  wounded,  that  he  was  unalHe  to  make 
out  a  correct  return  when  I  left  the  President,  nor  shall  I  be  abl« 
to  make  it  until  our  arrival  intoport,  we  having  parted  company 
with  the  squadron  yesterday;  The  enclosed  list,  with  the  excep- 
tion I  fear  of  its  being  short  of  the  number,  will  be  found  correct. 
For  twenty-four  hours  after  the  action  it  was  nearly  calm,  and 
the  squa4ron  were  occupied  in  repairing  the  crippled  ships.  Such 
of  the  crew  of  the  President  as  were  not  badly  wounded,  were 
put  on  board  the  different  ships ;  myself  and  part  of  my  crew 
were  put  on  board  this  ship.  On  the  irth  we  had  a  gale  from  the 
eastward,  when  this  ship  lost  her  bowsprit,  fore  and  main-mast, 
and  mizen  top-mast,  all  of  which  were  oadly  wounded,  and  was, 
in  consequence  of  her  disabled  condition,  oblieed  to  throw  over- 
board all  her  upper  deck  guns.  Her  loss  in  killed  and  wounded, 
must  have  been  very  great.  I  have  not  been  able  to  ascertiun  the 
extents  Ten  were  buried  after  I  came  on  board,  (36  hours  after 
the  action;)  the  badly  wounded,  such  as  are  obliged  to  keep  tiieir 
eots,  occupy  the  starboard  side  of  the  gun  deck  from  the  cid>in* 
bulk  head  to  the  main-mast.  From  the  crippled  state  of  the  Pre- 
sident's spars,  I  feel  satisfied  she  could  not  have  saved  her  masts, 
and  I  feel  serious  apprehensions  for  tiie  safety  of  our  wounded 
left  on  board. 
It  is  due  to  captain  Hope  to  state,  that  every  attention  has  been 

edd  by  him  to  myself  and  officers  that  have  been  placed  on  board  ■ 
s  ship,  that  delicacy  and  humanity  could  dictate. 

I  Have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

STEPHEN  DECAtUR. 
Htm.  B.  ^.  CrownimtueU, 

SccrctMy  of  the  Navy. 

The  correct  account  of  the  loss  on  board  the  President  as  af- 
terwards ascertained,  was  25  killed,  and  60  wounded. 

This  vessel  having  been  taken  to  Bermuda,  was  there  repaired 
and  sent  to  England. 


•  II  ■ 


'm 


M 


m 


t:      \ 


+1 


If 


I.OSS  OF  FORT  BOWYER. 


SIR, 


IfOBILB,  Februuy  17tb,  1815^ 


It  becomes  my  duty  to  communicate  to  you  the  very  unplea^' 
sant  news  of  the  loss  of  fort  Bowyer.  R^nras  clolely  invested  by 
and,  as  well  u  water,  tn  the  Stit  instant.  On  the  lOtii  and  Ilth,T 


1 


«<«:- 


'MM''-. 


.'.nTSJiy^fli^rj 


it  it-  Jl| 


paiMdf  i  iMgimm  &rW  fM  Uf  Mtb  I^^W  t&^limi  tfre  M^j 
fita  6lt  ott«ct  I  but  it  tfrt^ed'  ilkttt  i4  h^Mfi  <^  IiiM,  «lta>tt|^ 
time  mi6vA  to  cMpAlM  otttf  <lf  Hie  tiMmifii  Ito^'^iO'  ittttnteenl 
■eMnett,  wno  sat  tlie  garrison  cupitalated  on  ,the  1^;  tHgt  til^ 
besM^rs  hid'  gdvitnc^  thety  workir  <w  tlie  Ittod  side  trt  Wittih 
certaSi  Mu^i  shot  oT  the  (ii^j^^  of  1h«  fdrt;  that  the  losiv 
ilk  kUl'ed'  on  «tther  sf<le  is  ittedilsideriAre.  I  am*  hi  |Misetsion  of 
no  oth^r  aceoinikt  hat  thiMI  iMth  cemM  froitt  Hie  prisonert;  About 
S<^  of  the  enemy's  vessels;  besidlis  ttolLto  abdlMirges;  aiV  Isj* 
inf  ^thin  the  bar  and  al6oye  Mobile  Point,  «[nd  sieywat  sl^ 
of  t]|e  line  on  the  sonth  and  west  of  Dauphib  Isltod.  tfttt 
wind  ivtkir,  and  f  etpect  thefhdnottr  of  Seeing  theitt  here  i^tf 
nkht  { if  I  do,  I  have  gi^At  (Confidence  niy  neif  wiH  be  on  a  niiore 
pleisiuit  snliiiett    ' 

I  have  thei  honour  te  be,  «c. 

J.  Wim;HBdTKR» 

Hen.  StfcrtfMyofliirtf. 

F.  Si  "Rte  ginisota  eolii^sted'  of  diout  360^  men»  iticltutiog 
ofletefffc  Three  onudl  schooner*  in  whieh  the  detachknent  Wat 
tftHSparted  tfver  the  bwvy  were>  ckptttlwdi  bj  the  enemjt^  barges 
nfl«vthirlMN)|^hadtanded. 


iS 


,  i 


V  * 


1 


u 


•I* 


VOST  BOWyBm.r«bruMf  19tfa,.M15. 

SIR. 

tfniperfonw  t/ittia&tf  hid  ccittpdled  iM  to  enter  iAt»  Articles 
of  eapttatatiiiHii  irith  major  cellend:  Lambert^  oomniattding  ht» 
Britannic  nuyest^  fortes  itt  nrentof  fort  Bofrfer,«cio|iy  of  which 
I  fonMOd  ytttt  for  the^  purposiB'of  eirectin|  an  immediate  exchange 
d  priieners.  Nbdiiiig  Nt  the  want  of  provinons,  and  finding 
myself  completelj  sorrounded  bj  thousands;  bjctterteft;  erected 
on  the  sand,  mounds  which  completely  commanded  the  fort— and 
tfa»  enemy  having  advanced,  by  r^;ular  ^>^maches,  within  thirty 
yards  ot  the  ditehes,  and  tiie  utter  impcMsibility  of  getting,  any 
issistsiiooe  w  sup|ilies,  would  K^ve  induced  me  to  adopt  this  mea- 
sure. Feeling  confident,  and  it  beiiLsthe  unanimous  (pinion  of 
the  (^cers,  tMt  we  could  not  retain  the  post,  and  tiiat  the  lives  of 
many  valuable  officers  and  soldUers*  would  have  bera  uselessly  sa- 
criftoed,  I  thought  it  most  desirable,  tp  adopt  this  plan.  A  foil 
•nd  correct  statement  wUl  be  forttiHiied  yoU  at  early  is  possible. 
Captain  Chamberlain,  who  beurs  this  to  E.  livingitbn,  esquire, 
will  relate  to  Inm  every  particular,  which  will  I  hope  be  satis- 
foctory* 

IiM,WitlireMecf.«le. 
■  W.  LAWKSNet. 


that  the  low 
iMMMMiM  of 
Uoiieni;  Abwxi 
rgei;  M^  l^y. 
tittwfiX  shMB 
Ititoii.  tiiv 
•m  hero  4t9tf 
nbebn  atfort 

• 

ic. 

men».  itadudiDg 
ietkchknont  wat 
eaemj!^  baifiei 

J.  W. 


I*3rl3tli,.l815. 

tttrhlt»ftticles 
Mbalaildiiig  hi» 
,»tio|i9>ofwHidi 
ediate  okchange 
tnt,  and  finding 
KtlMtoa-  tttcttn 
d  the  forfc— and 
M,'  within  thii>tj 
of  getting,  an  J 
adopt  this  mea- 
moot  minion  of 
that  the  lives  of 
en  useleMlj  aa- 
apian.  A  full 
irljaiposfible, 
Dgatbn,  eaqvire, 
hope  be  aatis- 

.AWMBNet. 


0» 

•  AlOteLES'  OT*  CAlPlfrUlATION 

Agned  upon  between  lieutenant  colonel  llawrence  and  miJMr 

Snenii  tiainbert„/of  the  watrdna^oi  fort  fiowyer,  on  the  Mo* 
l^PoiAt,  Uth  of  iTebruapj,  t3t5, 

I.  that  the'  fiMPt  shall  be  Mtnrtndered  to  the  arms  of  his  Bri- 
tannie  Uiajeat^  in  its  existing  state  as  to  tlie  works,  ordnance, 
aiBiniuiition,-  and  every  species  of  military  stoves. 

9>  ThaA-  the  mrrisbn  shall  ber  cpnsidered  as  prisoners  of  war, 
the  traopi  marchiBf^  out  witb  their  cdlofs  nving  and  drums  beat* 
ingi;  and  g^Ntand  their  arma  on'  tlie  glacis^the  officers  retaining 
their  sworas,  and  th»  whole  to>f»mb^  in  su^  ships  as  the  British 
namd^  commander  in  ehiefshalV  iqppoint. 

5«  All  private  pn^ty  tn^  be  rnpected. , 

4^  That  a  communication  shall  be  made  immediately  of  the 
•ame  to  the  commanding  <^ficer  of  the7th  military  district  of  tiie 
tTnit^sd  States,  umI  every  endisavoup  made  to  etifect  an  early  ex- 
chang^of  prisoners.- 

5.  That  the  garrison  of  the  tTnted  States  remain  ,in  the  fort 
untiVlS^  o'clock  to-morrow,  a  British  guard  being  put  in  posses* 
s^en  ef  the  inner  gate  at  S  o*clook  to-daj,,  and  the  ^ritidli  fl^;  be 
hoiBte4-aA  the  same  time ;  aneffioerof  each  service  remaining  at 
the  headquairteraof  each  comnumder  until  the  fulfilment  of  tK^ 
artkles. 

H.  O.  SMlTIt,nM^*or  and  mUUary  ieerOary. 

Agreed'  otfthe  part  of  the  royd  navy. 

T.  H.  mCRSTS,  captain  H.M,8kfp  Vengeni. 

R.  CHAMJkFltiLAIN,  2(1  r«ff.  tr.  £r.  iit/antfy. 
W.  LAWRgSNCF,  Xe.  Ott.  iJ  infantry  eam^. 

Approved, 

ALEXANDER  COCHRANE, 
C<mManderinehufof  hUniajegty*iMpfriiuf, 
JOHN  LASStpRT.  mafgen^SmSg^ 

A  thie  copy— Test 

JOHN  RBtD,  ati-de-camp. 

CAPTURE  OF  THE  AUGUS. 
^^  NORl^OLK,  March  2d,  ISltf. 

CiiCttiUttances  Airing  my  i^idience  in  England,  having  hert- 
tof«!re  prevented  my.  attention  to  the  painful  duty  which  devolved 
ot\  m€  W  tii6  dieath  of  my  gaUaitt  commander,  tapUin  WiUian  H. 
Allcti.  of  the  late  UnitMl  S&tei*lkrig  Aigui,  I  have  now  tiie  honour 
tn  iikh  tor  yvttr  infoiinalSon,  tiuU,  having  landed  the  minister 
pl«li^^M>4teiltia7(Mr.CnNrftrd)and  suiti  atli'Oriettt,  we  proceed- 
etf  <«  thetriiit^  which  llad  heeil  directs  by  the  departtttot,  and 


#. 


« 

P'.^ 


nv 


'"9 


F« 


4B9 

•   , 

after  capturing  SO  yeuels  Ul  list  of  thenamas  md  other  Mkiiculana 
of  whicul  have  the  honour  TO  aiiclo8e)baiiu;  in  latitude  5£  15north, 
longitude  5  50  west,  on  the  Hj^Aumat,  1818,  we  discovered  at  4 
o'clock  A.  M.  a  lai^  brig  of  w^annding  down  under  a  preaa  of 
aail  upon  our  weather  auarter,  the  wind  being  at  aoutii,  and  the 
Argus  close  hauled  on  the  staiboard  tack,  we  immediatelj  prepar- 
ed to  receive  her ;  and  at  4  30»  being  unable  to  gat  tike  weather 
gage,  we  shortened  sul  and  gave  her  an  opportunity  of  dosing. 
At  6,  the  brig  having  displayed  Enalidi  coloui^,  wis  hoiated  our 
flt^,  wore  round,  and  gave  ner  the  larboard  broadside  (being  at 
this  time  within  grape  distance,)  which'  Was  returned,  ana  the  ac- 
tion commenced  witnin  the  range  of  musketi^.  At  6  4,  captain 
Allen  was  wounded,  and  the  enemj  shot  awar  our  main  bncea* 
main  spring  vUf,  gaff,  and  trisail  mast  At  o  8,  captain  Allen, 
being  much  exhausted  bj  the  loss  of  blood,  was  taken  below.  At  6 
Id,  lost  our  spritsail  yard,  and  the  principal  part  of  the  standing 
rising  on  the  larboard  side  of  the  foremast  At  this  time,  I  re- 
ceiveda  wound  on  the  head  from  a  grape-shot,  which,  for  a  time« 
rendered  me  incapable  of  attending  to  outjr,  and  was  carried  be- 
low. I  had,  however,  the  satisfaction  of  recollecUng  on  my  reeo* 
very,  that  nothing;  which  the  most  snllant  exertions  could  effect, 
would  be  left  undone  by  lieutenant  William  H.  Allen,  junior,  who 
Bttcceeded  to  the  command  of  the  deck.  Lieutenant  AUen  reports, 
at  6  14,  the  enemjr,  beins  on  our  weather  quarter,  edged  off  for 
the  purpose  (^getting under  our  stem;  but  the  Argus  luffed  close 
to,  with  tiie  maiotopsail  alNu^k,  and  nving  him  a  nSung  broadside, 
frustrated  his  attempt.  At  6  18,  the  enemy  sjiot  away  our  pre- 
venter, mainbraces,  and  maintopsail  tye ;  and  tiie  Argus  having 
lost  the  use  of  her  after  sails,  fell  off  before  the  wintH  when  the 
enemy  succeeded  in  passing  our  stem,  and  ranged  up  on  the  star- 
board side.  At  6  S5,  the  wheel  ropes  and  rigging  of  every  des- 
cription being  shot  away,  the  Amu*  became  unmanageable;  and 
the  enemy,  not  having  sustaineaany  apparent  damage,  had  it 
completeQr  in  his  power  to  choose  a  position,  continued  to  play 
upon  our  starboard  quarter,  occasionally  shifting  his  situation 
until  6  SO,  when  I  retumed  to  the  deck ;  the  enemy  being  under 
our  stern,  within  pistol  shot,  where  he  continued  to  rake  us  until 
6  38,  when  we  prepared  to  board,  but  in  consequence  of  our  shat- 
tered condition,  were  unable  to  effect  it. .  The  enemy  then  passed 
our  broadside,  and  took  a  position  on  our  starboard  bow.  From 
this  time  until  6  47,  we  were  exmiscd  to  a  cross  or  raking  fire, 
without  being  able  to  oppose  but  littie  more  than  musketry  to  the 
broadside  of  the  enemy,  ourgCns  being  much  disabled  and  seldom 
brought  to  bear. 

The  Arfgns,  having  now  suffered  much  in  hull  and  rimng,  u  alto 
in  kUlfd  and  wounded,  among  the  former  of  whom  (exclusive  ci 
our  i^Unt  caj^n,)  we  have  to  lament  the  loss  of  two  meritoriipva 
youni; iKfllcers m  midshipmen  Delphy  and  Edwards;  and  bong 
ex|MiMd  ti»  a  galling  fire,  which,  from  tiie  enemy'a  abUitf  to  nan* 

rhis  VesseC  we  could  not  avoid,  I  deemed  it  necesiary  to  aur* 


# 


y^k 


487 

render,  and  wai  taken  poNesiion  of  b^  his  Britannic  miyeity*s 
•loop  Pelican,  of  twenty-one  carriage  guns,  ▼!%:  sixteen  S2  pound 
carronades,  four  long  sixes,  and  one  IS  pound  carronade.  I  hope 
this  measure  will  meet  your  approbation,  and  that  the  result  of 
this  action,  when  the  superior  size  and  metal  of  our  opponent,  and 
the  fatigue  which  the  crew,  &c.  of  the  Argus  underwent,  from  a 
▼ery  rapid  succession  of  captures,  is  considered,  will  not  be  tiiought 
^worthy  the  flag  under  which  we  serre. 

I  have  the  honour  to  inclose  a  list  of  killed  and  wounded,  and 
feel  great  satisfaction  in  reporting  tiie  general  good  conduct  of  the 
men  and  officers  ennged  on  this^occasion,  and  particularly  the 
zeal  and  activity  displayed  by  lieutenant  Allen,  who,  you  will 
observe,  for  a  time  commanded  on  deck. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

W.  H.  WATSON. 
Late  first  Lt.  U,  8.  brig  JirguM, 
Hon.  B.  W.  Cnrnidnluekl,  &e. 

Rilled,  6->died  of  their  wounds,  5 — ^wounded,  12. 


*J' 


■# 


'Wi 


SIR, 


NEW  OBLBANS,  Httch  17th,  Iftll 


Inclosed  I  hay#the  honour  to  transmit  for  your  informatioit  s 
copy  of  a  letter  fromlieutenantThomas  Ap  Catesby  Jonea»  ^ving  a 
detailed  account  of  the  actioft  between  the  gun  vessels  under.  Ma 
c<Hnmand  and  a  flotilla  of  the  enemy's  launches  and  barges,  on  the 
14th  December,  1814,  which,  afler  a  most  gallant  resistance,  ter« 
minated  aa  stated  in  my  letter  of  the  17th  Oeoember,  in^the  capture 
of  cur  squadron. 

The  courage  and  skill  which  was  displayed  in  the  defence  of  tiie 
gun-vessels  and  tender,  for  such  a  length  of  time,  against  such  an 
overwhelming  force  as  they  had  to  contend  with,  reflects  ad(Utioiud 
splendour  on  our  naval  glory ;  and  will,  I  trust,  diminish  the  riq^ 
occasioned  by  their  losji. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  ftcv  . 

DANIEL  T.  PATTERSON- 
fi«m.  B.  W.  CrowiunBhteld, 

Socretary  of  ^  N&yy. 


'ill 


SIR, 


NEW  OULEANS,  March  13th,  1815. 


Having  sufficientiy  recovered  my  strength,  I  do  myself  the 
honour  of  rnwrtme  to  you  the  particulars  of  the  capture  of  the 
division  of  United  Siates'  gun-boats,  late  under  my  command. 

On  the  12th  December,  1814,  the  enemy's  fleet  oft*  Ship  Island 
had  increased  to  such  a  force  fu  tp  render  it  no  lonser  safe  or 
pnidept  for  me  to  continue  in  that  part  of  the  lake  wim  the  small 
force  ^ch  I  commanded.  I  therefore  determined  to  ^ain  a^  station 
near  ^e  Malhereuz  Islands  aa  soon  as  possible,  whrch  situatiei^ 


I 


".     .  .  '  i 


?■  ^'f 


Vtel4  better  Miiiliteiyi  to  ioftpoM  ikfeitlwr  petistrMi^tf  .<if  ^,<«i''> 
uy  ap  the  iikee,  and  at  ^the  tune  Aiirw  idninl  j«e  %o  ,Hp|)^r(«QiM7  of 
i;etoeatiDgto  the  P«tite<;a(|iiiUee  If  iMQWMij. 

▲t  to  A.  M.  on  the  ISih^  I  .<^iscov«rad  A  Jmbb  %till»  i>f.)wies 
Jhad  lefttl^  4eet«  (nhaping  their  oovnetopwtkvve  raii?  Chi»«Uwi) 
ivhich  I  eiippoged  ia  be  a  4liieiiibad(fition  eC  itniope  ipie«iidi|ig  ti) 
Uiod  at  th»t  place.  About  S  P^  M.  the  enemf  9  AotfiU  iba,vji|kg 
gi^jned  the  Pass  Christian,  aiU  i«iitAiM«fl|r  tijieU' qottrae  ^  the 
^ipeitWard,  convince  jne  that  ao  Attadkion  mt  giw  iHiKtf  wijtn  their 
^cMgn*  At  this  time  the  jraf^r  in  Hie  lakes  WM  vVQ^ppvnlf 
low»  owing  to  the  we^tevlj  wind  which  had  prevaiUMl  for|i|iwwhe)' 
of  davj)  previous,  and  w^ichatill  continued  froQi  the  same  qvfir- 
ter.  x^os.  156, 16S,  and  163,  althou^  in  the  best  fihflnneU  vnre 
in  12  or  18  inches  less  water  than  their  draught '  Every  elTprl 
was  made  to  get  tiiem  afloat  by  throwiiu^  overboard  all  the  article» 
el  wei^t  that  could  he  dispensed  with.  At  3  30,  the  flood  ^e 
had  commenced  ;  got  under  weigh  making  the  btst  of  ro j  #|{|r 
towards  the  Petite  Cpq^i^e.  At  3  45,  tM  eu^m;^  despaj^neu 
^ree  boats  to  cut  out  uie  schooner  dea-Horsie,  wmch  hau  be|i) 
sent  into  the  bay  St.  Louis  that  rooming  to  assist  in  the  removal 
of  the  public  stores,  whidi  J  h«d|>reviously  ordered.  Th^re  find- 
ing a  removal  impracticable,  I  ordered  preparations  to  be  ja^c 
for  their  destruction,  lest  the/  should  fail  it^  the  eneipy'p  hands. 
A  lew  dischar^  of  crape  shot  from  the  iJea-Hprse  coiupe^Ied^ 
thrae  boats,  whidi  had  attacked  ber»  to  rej^re  oqt  of  the  reach  of 
her  guns,  until  they  werie  joined  by  four  Pljiers^  ;\vfien  ^  «ttac)i 
waa  recomnienoed  by  the  soveo  boats.  Mr*  Mns^o^p  hj^ving  cno- 
aen  an  advantageiMW  ;poaition  iic;b|'  the  it>vo  ^,  po^q^era  ip^ounted  on 
the  bapk,  maintained  a  sharp  action^  for  near  30  m'fjautes,  when 
the  enemy  hauled  off,  having  one  boat  app«irently  much  iujujped, 
and  witb4he  loss  of  seveod  m«$U  j^UM  ^ndi  wqupd^d,.  At  7  3Q, 
ftn  exfdouon  at  the  bay*  juduI  aocin  i|ft^  a  lfiiX[e  ^i-ei  induced  me  to 
bt^ieve  the  Sea-Horse  wa^  blown  up  imd  tqe  pjttl))^  store  hoiise 
set  on  fire,  which  has  proved  to  be  the  fact. 

About  1  A.  M.  on  ,the  HiJtb,  the  wiiid  having  entirely  died 
away,  and -our  vessels  becoiise  junmani^able,  came  to  anchor  in 
the  west  end  of  Malhereux  Islfind's  pas^ace.  ,4t  daylight  ^e?ct 
mornine,  still  a  perfect  calm,  the  enemy**  «otill%  was  about  nine 
miles  from  us  at  anchor,  but  soon  ^t  ih  motion  and  rapidly 
advanced  towards  us.  The  wan]t  of  wind,  and  the  strong  ebb  tide 
Which  was  setting  through  itie  Past,  left  m»  but  one  alternative, 
whisk ,wiM»  ^  pt  my  vef  aels  ip  the  most  Advantageous  position, 
to  give  the  enemy  as  warm  a  seception  as  possible.  Tlie  comman- 
ders were  all  called  on  board  aiid  made  ew^uainted  wlfth  my  inten- 
tions, and  the  position  which  each  ressel  w^s  to  ti|ke,  tiie  ivholeto 
form  a  close  li^e  M)reast  across  the  chaiinel,  anchored  by  the  stern, 
irith^prings  on  tiie  cablj^,  £|cc.  &c.  t'hus  we  remained  msiously 
awaiting  aujattack  frppntHe  advaficing  foe,  whose  force  l%w 
f  clearly  distinguished  to  be  composed  of/orty-tu?o  heavj  launches 


**• 


itt^  tntt  uoiMt.  witk  tbtc  light  gigt.  pukttid  witii  ttyWNHNb  ttf 

•iM  ftonaMuTinenuid  oftctrt.  About  9  30,  the  Alligator  (tMiiiir) 

which  WM  to  the  southward  tnd  eaitward,  aid  eMeavottring  to 

join  the  diyitton,  wa»  ciptwed  bj  several  of  the  mtv^jH  bmMt 

when  the  whole  flotilla  came  to  with  their  gri|iples»  |^  little  fut 

of  reach  of  our  shot,  apparentlj  makinc  arrangementi  fbr  the  at« 

tacli*    At  10  99f  the  enemy  weighed,  forming  a  line  abreast  ill 

open  qrder,  and  steering  direct  for  oi^r  line,  which  wps  ttnfo^«< 

nately  in  some  degree  brolcen  b/  the  force  of  tl^e  current,  d«nMt 

Bumbere  156  and  163  about  one  hundred  yards  i&  advance*    As 

aoon  aa  Ihe  enemy  came  within  reach  of  o)ir  shot,  a  deliberate  fins 

from  our  long  guns  was  opened  upon  him,  but  without  much  ef* 

ftct,  the  objects  beine  of  so  small  a  site.    At  10  minutes  before 

U,  the  enemy  openM  a  Are  from  the  whole  of  his  line,  when  thn 

action  became  general  and  ilestnictive  on  both  sides.  At  11 49»the 

advanced  boats  of  the  enemy,  three  in  number,  attempted  to  board 

No.  156,  but  were  repuUed  vrith  the  loss  of  nearly  evMT  officer 

killed  or  wounded,  and  two  boats  sunh*    A  second  at&mpt  t» 

board  was  then  made  by /our  other  boats,  which  shared  almort  4 

■imilar  fate.    At  this  moment  I  received  a  severe  wound  in  mj 

left  shoulder,  which  compelled  me  to  quit  the  deck,  leavii»  it  in 

charge  of  Mr.  George  Parker,  master^t  mate,  who  talla&dy  do* 

fSendr^d  Ihe  vessel  until  he  Was  severely  wounded,  wnen  th^  ene* 

my,  by  his  superior  numbers,  succeedml  in  gaining  poiMesijon  of 

the  deck,  about  10  minutes  past  li  o'clock,    l^e  enemy  imnke- 

dUtely  turned  the  guns  of  his  prize  on  our  other  gun-boats,  and 

fired  peveral  shot  previovs  to  strikin|;  the  American  colours,  llie 

action  continued  with  unabated  severity,  ui^til  40  minutes  past  18 

o'clock,  when  it  terminated  widi  the  sunr nder  of  No.  83,  all  the 

other  veMels  having  previously  fallen  into  the  hands  of  tiie  elie* 

my. 

In  this  unequal  contest,  our  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  haf 
been  trifling,  compared  to  that  of  the  enemy,  which  amounta  ta 
nearly  four  nundred. 

Enclosed  you  will  receive  a  list  of  the  IdUed  and  wounded,  and 
a  correct  statement  of  the  force  which  I  had  the  honour  to  com- 
mand at  the  commencement  of  the  action,  t(^ther  witii  an  eeti- 
mate  of  the  force  I  had  to  contend  against,  as  acknowled^  by 
the  enemy,  which  will  enable  you  to  decide  how  far  the  honour 
of  our  country's  flag  has  been  supported  in  this  conflict. 

With  much  respect,  Ate. 
THOMAS  AP  CATESBY  JONES, 

Ci^t  Dmid  T.  FattaiaviH  fiOBPPiad^* 
$9 


« 


i! 


♦ 


4M 


.■53^  ,■ 


■iji 


r 


f 


r  .  '  •*       > 

!;f     '^  ^    'J 

lib'       '  "'8 

i'l    f<   ;i 

'I  #"-^ 


illtetMMil  0/  <Ac  ^gluHvtfarm  of  a  divkitm  ^f  th$  Wkdautu^ 
gun-booU,  unitr  iht  ctmrnam  of  UtnUmmt  eommMiUng  Thp- 
HUM  Ap  CaUt^  JoMt,  «l  ih»  eommtnemMMi  of  Iho  oeNon*  wUh 
•JtatiUa  <{f  Mnglitk  boiii$,  on  IM  14Clb  ^  Ikemttr,  1614. 

Gun-boit,  No.  5,  5  gvns,  S6  nto,  Miling  matter  Ida  D.  F«rrit ; 
cttn-boat.  No.  15$,  5  jui,  41  mtn,  Uontenant  eoaraaBdut  T.  A* 
C.  Jones ;  gan-boat,  No.  10f,  5  guni,  SS  m«n>  Utotonnt  Eobert 
■poedeii;  nn-bott.  No.  16S,  S  guiit,  91  moii^  wiMng  mMtor 
CKMNr|e  Ulnck^— Total,  £S  tuns,  188  mon. 

N.  B.  The  schooner  Sea  Hone  had  one  6  pounder  and  14  mm, 
iailinc  muter  William  Johnion,  commanaer;  none  killed  er 
wounded. 

The  aloop  Alligator  (tender)  had  one  4  pounder  and  tigftt  hmm* 
•ailur  maiter  Richard  S.  Sheppard,  commander. 

THOMAS  AP  CATE8BY  JONES, 

LUut.  Com,  U.  8,  Atoy. 

HufoUowiHtg  U  a  cOrrcef  ttaUmmt  ef  Me  JNtifft/orcfi  tp/kleft 
vere  engaged  in  the  capture  of  the  late  United  l^ai^gvm'boe^ 
JWt.  as,  156,  5,  162  and  16^,  near  Maihereux  iefmide,  Uhe 
Borgne,  lAth  Beeember,  1814. 

Fortjr  launchea  and  barget*  mounting  one  carronade  each,  of. 
•IS,  19b  and  24  calibre. 

One  launch,  mounting  one  long  brass  12  pounder. 

Onis    do.         do.        do.       do.      9     do. 

Three  ngs,  with  small  arms  onlj. 
Total  number  of  boats,       -       •  -     .       .       •       48  > 
do.  '     do.        cannon,       «       •       -       -       -    42 

The  above  flotilla  was  manned  with  1900  men  and  crfBcers,  com- 
manded by  captain  Lockytr*  who'  received  three*  severe  wounds 
in  the  action.  The  euemj,-  as  usual,  will  not.  acknowledge  hit 
loss  on  this  occasion;  in  boats  or  men ;  but  from  the  nature  of  the 
action,  and  the  observations  made  bj  our  officers  while  prisoners 
in  their  fleet,  his  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  may  be  justij  esti- 
mat<(d  to  exceed  three  hundred,  among  whom  are  an  unusuift 
pn^ortibn  of  officers. 


CAPTURE  OF  THE  PENGUIN. 

'  >  .  U.  8.  SLOOP  HORNET,  OFT  TRISTAN  D'ACUNRA, 

Match  35th,  1815. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  on  tiie  morning;  of  the 
2Sd  instant,  at  half  past  ten,  when  about  to  andior,  off  the  nortii 
end  of  the  island  of  Tristan  d'Acunha,  a  sail  was  seen  to  the 
southward  and  eastward,  steering^  to  the  westward,  ^e  wind  fi«sh 
from  tiie  S.  S.  W.  In  a  few  minutes  she  had  passed  on  to  1h^ 
westward,  so  that  we  could  aot  see  her  for  the  land.    I  immedi- 


gUly  auidi  tail  for  the  wtitirtrd,  and  ihortlr  thsi  (•ttuag  te  ilgbt 
•r  her  again,  perceited  her  to  bear  up  before  the  wind.  I  bore 
to  for  him  to  come  down  to  nt.  IVhen  the  had  a^proMhed 
near,  I  filled  the  naintopaail,  and  continued  to  jaw  the  ihip, 
while  ahe  omitinned  to  come  down,  wearing  occaaionally  to  pre- 
vent her  paaains  under  oor  atom.  At  1  40  P.  M.  being  within 
nearly  muaket  mot  diatance,  ahe  hauled  her  wind  on  the  atarboard 
teoki  hoiatcd  Enriiah  coloura  and  fired  a  Bin.  We  immediately 
iuffbd  to,  hoiited  our  ensign  and  gare  the  enemj  a  broadside.. 
The  action  being  thus  commenced,  a  quick  and  well  directed  fire 
was  kept  up  from  this  ship,  the  enemy  gradually  driving  near  t» 
us,  when- at  1  65  minutes  he  bore  up  apparently  to  run  us  on  board. 
As  soon  aa  I<  perceived  he  would  certainly  fall  on  board,  I  called 
the  boarders,  so  as  to  be  ready  to  repel  any  attempt  to  board  ua. 
At  the  instant  every  officer  ana  man  repaired  to  the  quarter  deck, 
where  the  two  vessels  were  coming  in  contact,  and  eagerly  pressed 
me  to  permit  them  to  board .tiie  enemy }  but  this  I  would  not  per- 
mit, as  it  was  evident,  from  the  commencement  of  the  action, 
that  our  fire  was  gi^Uy  superior  both  in  quickneu  and  in  effect 
The  enemy's  bowsprit  came  in  between  our  main  and  mizen  rig- 
gin|^  on  our  starboard  side,  affording  him  an  opportunitytb  boani 
tts,  if  anch  waa  hia  design,  but  no  attempt  was  madok  There  waa 
a  considerable  swell  on,  and  aa  the  iea  lifted  ua  aheadr  the  ene- 
my's boom  carried  away  our  miaen  ahrouds,  atom  davita  and 
spanker  boom,  and  he  hung  upon  our  larboard  quarter.  At  this 
moment  an  officer,  who  waa  afterwards  recognized  to  be  Mr. 
M*Donald,  the  first  lieutenant,  and  the  then  commanding  officer, 
called  out  that  they  had  surrendered.  I  directed  the  marines  and 
mudcotrv  men  to  cease  firinj^,  mnd,  while  on  the  tafirail  asking  it' 
they  had  surrendered,  I  received  a  wound  in  the  neck.  The  ene- 
my just  then  got  clear  of  us,  and  his  fore-mast  and  bowsprit  be- 
ins  both  gone,  and  perceiving  us  wearing  to  give  a  fresh  broad- 
side, he  acain  called  out  that  he  had  surrendered.  It  was  with 
difficulty  I  could  restrain  my  crew  from  (ring  into  him  again,  aa 
he  had  certainly  fired  into  ua  after  haying  surrendered.  From 
the  firing  of  the  first  gun,  to  the  last  time  the  enemy  cried  out  he 
had  surrendered,  was  exactly  22  minutes  by  the  watch.  She 
proved  to  be  his  Britannic  majesty'b  brig  Penguin,  mountinff  six 
38  pound  carronades,  two  long  12's,  a  twelve  j^und  carronade  on 
the  top-eallant  fore*castle,  with  swivels  on  the  capstern  in  the 
tops.  She  had  a  spare  port  forward,,  so  as  to  fight  both  her 
long  guns  of  a  side.  She  sailed  from  England  in  September  last. 
She  was  shorter  upon  deck  than  this  ship,  by  two  feet,  but  she  had 
a  greater  lensth  of  keel,  greater  breadth  of  beam,  thicker  sides, 
SM  higher  bulwarks  than  mis  ship,  and  was  in  all  respects  a  I!e4 
markably  fine  veasel  of  her  class.  The  enemy  acknowledge  a 
comnlement  of  132, 12  of  tiiem  supernumerary  marinea  from  the 
Med  way  74,  received  on  bpard  in.conaeqUence  of  their  beinc  or-^ 
diend  to  eruize  fi»r  the  American  privateer  Young  Wasp.    They 


fiM 


lit 


If  I 


•■  i 


I  ■  ■(.; 


■eihwwM|gh,tlt^;ilBM«ri4killcdMiMwittlldf4|  bHUr. 
MiTo,  wiM  wal  in  chuM  of  the  wriM,  atibrM  «t  that  th«  iimiibtr 
•r  kiHtdl  Wit  ewtualT  crwitor.  AwMf  tkt  MIM  it  captain 
DkkenAoBt  wIm»  ftll  ttffttt  dtoe  cf  the  mBm,  and  tha  baatowaw; 
•mmig  tha  wovmlad,  ia  tha  aaeand  lieataiiaiitk  ikwaar^  and  baa 
mMaMpnan.  Badh  of  tha  mSdahipman  loat  a  le|«  Wa  raaahrat 
•n  baard,  iik  all,  118  pritdnara,  fear  af  wham  hava  tinea  ^Uad  nf 
thair  wnvndt.  Hamg  ntaofed  tha  prilonart,  and  tihan  4m  baard 
andk  proritiont  and  atoraa  aa  Would  bto  vaafal  to  aa,  I  ■catHiid'thn 
Penfvin  thii'momin|r,  btfora  daj-light,  and  «ha  want<d«tvn.  At 
Oha  waa  conplatalj  nddlad  bj  oar  that,  her  feranatt  and  baw«' 
tprit  bothgona,  and  her  main-nHMt  to  arippled  at  la  balnalipable 
at  being  tecnied,  it  teemed  nnadTiaable,  at  thia  diattnoa  froto 
home,  to  attempt  tending  her  to  the  United  Statet. 

lUi  thip  did  not  reeeiira  a  ain|4e  round  shot  in  her  hnll,  nor 
•nj  material  wound  in  her  apart }  tne  rigging  and  lailt  wart  verj 
ranch  cut ;  but  having  bont  a  new  tuit  of  taila  and  knotted  and 
aecured  our  ngpuR,  we  are  now  com|detelj  retdj,  in  all  tOahactt, 
for  anr  aorvice.  W9  ware  tight  nien  thort,  of  coteflelnaitt,  and 
had  nme  upon  the  tick  litt  tiie  morning  of  the  action.       '' 

Bodoaed  ia  a  liat  of  killed  and  wounded.  I  lament  to  atate 
that  liontanant  Conner  ia  wonodad  dangeraualj*  I  feel  ijrtat  ^•' 
lidtude  on  hia  account,  at  ho  ia  an  officer  of  mnch  promiae*  mmI 
hit  loaa  would  be  a  serioua  loaa  to  the  tenrice. 

It  it  a  most  pleadng  purt  of  mj  du^  to  acquaint  tou^  that  tin 
conduct  of  liautenanta  Conner  and  Newton,  Mr.  Majo,  actinc 
lieutenant  Brownlow,  of  the  marinet,  tailing  matter  Bomnoj^  ani 
the  other  officert,  teamen  and  nuuinet  T  fitT^  the  honour  to  com- 
mand, waa  in  the  hi|^be8t  degr#e  crediuble  to  tiiem,  tnd  callt  for 
mj  warmett  recommendatioii.  I  cannot,  indeed,  do  jUotlce  to 
their  merita.  The  tatitfaction  which  waa  dilhted  thraiighout  the 
ahip  when  it  wu  ucertained  that  the  ttranger  waa  an  enemj'a 
aloop  of  war,  and  the  alacrltjr  with  which  etery  one  repaired  to 
quartera,  follj  aaaured  mo  that  their  conduct  in  tike  actian  wedM 
M  marked  with  coolneaa  and  intrepiditT. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Im. 

J.  BIDDLB.t 
Him.  8c«Ntai7  of  the  Ntvy.  .        <l 

The  loat  on  board  the  Hornet,  waa  one  killed  and  11  wcua'Jf '*. 


CAPTURE  OP  THE  CYANE  AND  LEVANT. 

U.  8.  FRIGATE  CON?TtTUTION,  Miy— ,  1815.  I 
Slit, 

On  the  20th  ;  f  Februai7  latt,  the  taland  of  Madeira  bearinjg 
ibout  wett  foi^ith-w^i:!.  <-'«tant  6'7  leaftuet,  we  fell  in  with  hia  Brt- 
tannic  nu^ettj- -  t?fo  siapt  of  vvr,  ih.e  C vane  and  Letant)  and 
brouj^t  |hrev/t/.t  ae^'f.i  aboot  S  o'cloek  in^eveidngtbOthiC 


d  U  wc;i;iied/ 


4|9 

-wMtl.  tlUr«  tpiritod  iiy|ilmttet  of  40  aOmilMi  lurreadtrtil  to 
(ho  iliiii  Milder  »7  oodimiiimI* 

Cop<'''iering  tM  ftdiraiiti^|tt  derived  by  the  enem^,  from  ft  di- 
Tidod  *iid  Moro  a^vo  ibrco*  at  olio  their  supcrioritj  u  the  wt||ht 
and  ■timber  of  gonak  I  doom  the  ioeod^  uid  dec^iift  roault  of  tnh 
action  the  otrongeat  Mauranco  which  can  b«  i^vmi  to  tho  Rovem^ 
nient,  that  oil  under  my  oommand  did  their  J«ty,  and  gallaatly 
aupported  tho  reputation  of  American  aetmen. 

Enclooed  tom  wiU  receive  tiie  minutea  of  the  action,  and  |  Uat 
of  the  killed  aod  wonnded  oa  board  thia  ahip  {  alaa  encloaed  jott 
will  receive  for  your  information, »  atatement  of  the  actual  force 
of  the  Aficmj,  and  ^e  number  killed  and  wounded  on  board  their 
ahirn.  Ah  at  &r  aa  could  He  aacertainod. 

„.  '-•  I  have  tho  honour  to  be*  Ice. 

,  CHARLES  STEWART. 

II'.  <  I  Sccrctaiy  of  the  Navy. 

American  loaa— d  killed,  tsi  wounded. 
Britiah  lo8l-^5  killed,  48  w4unded. 
Priaonera  taken,  SIS.  , 

jmnutn  of  the'metUm  hetwun  tht  thiUtd  SltaM'firigate  Comti- 
liitlon.  Mnd  hU  BrUawKk  nutf$$hf*§  Mp»  Cffunt  am  Lnant,  o  i 
tht  flOfft  FelfM«ry,  1815. 

Commencea  with  li|^t  broesea  from  the  east,  and  clott<)y  wea- 
ther.. At  one,  diacovered  a  aail  two  pointa  on  the  lfui>oard  bow— 
haulod  up  an4  made  aail  in  chaae.  At  i  paat  one,  .made  the  aail 
to  bo  a  anip;  at  |  paat  one,  diacovered  another  aail  ahead ;  made 
them  out  at  two  P.  Af.  to  be  both  ahipa,  atanding  doae  hauled,  with 
their  ataH^rd  tacka  on  board  i  at  4  P.  M*  the  weather-moat  ahip 
made  aignaU,  and  bore  up  to  her  conaort,  then  about  10  mil^a  to 
leeward}  we  bore  up  after  her,  and  ttet  lower  top-maat,  top-gal* 
lant,  and  royal  atuddung  aaila  in  chaae ;  at  \  paat  4,  carried  aw^y 
our  main  royal  maat ;  took  in  the  aaila  and  sot  anotiier  prepared ; 
at  5  P.  M.  commenced  firing  on  the  chaae  from  our  two  larboa^ 
bow  gunaj  our  Aot  falling  abort,  ceaaed  firing;  at  |  paat  five, 
finding  it  impoaaible  to  prevent  their  junction,  cleared  ihip  fur  ac- 
tion, then  about  fovr  miiea  from  the  two  ahipa )  at  40  minutea  after 
\  they  paaaed  within  hail  of  each  other,  and  hauled  by  the  wind 
ou  the  atarboard  tack,  hauled  up  their  tbursea,  and  prepared  to 
receive  ua ;  at  forty  •five  minutea  paat  five,  they  made  all  aail  close 
hauled  by  the  wind,  in  hopes  of  getting  to  the  windward  of  us ;  at 
55  Bunutea  paat  5,  finding  themaelveadiaappointed  in  their  object, 
and  we  were  cleoiatg  with  them  faat,  they  ahortened  sail,  and 
tormed  on  a  line  of  wind,  about  half  a  cwle^s  lensth  from  each 
other.  At  6  P.  II.  having  them  under  command  of  our  battery, 
koiated  our  ooloarat  which  was  anawered  by  both  ahips  hoisting 
English  enaigaa.  At  5  miaatea  past  6,rahged  up  on  tiie  atarboard 
lida  of  the  atoiitau)»tship,  about  300  yards  distant,  andcQmmenc- 


»r 


i 


4H 


4- 


.  cd  the  actioiklij  broidfidM,  both  lUfi  retarnint'  dm  irt  with  ike 

E>st  spirit  for  about  15  minutM,  then  the  Ire  of  the  enemy 
ning  t»  ilicken,  and  the  great  column  of  smoke  eidlected 
rour  lee,  induced  us  to  cease  bur  fire  to  ascertain  thoir  por- 
tions and  conditions.  In  about'  three  minutes  the  smoke  dealing 
away,  we  found  ourselves  abreast  of  the  headmoot  ihip«  the 
oteramost  ship  luffing  up  for  our  larboard  quarter;  we  pOured  a 
broadside  into  the  hcidmost  ship^  and  then  braced  abafck  our  main 
and  mizen  topsails,  aild  backea  astern  under  cover  of  tiie  smoke, 
abreast  the  sternmost  ship,  when  tiie  action  was  continued  witii 
spirit  and  con9>4eraUe  effect,  until  35  minutes  past  6,  when  the 
enemy's  fire  k^  in  slackened,  and-  we  discovered  tiie  headmost 
bearing  up;  filled  Our  topsails,  shot  aheadiand  gave  her  two  stem 
*ake8.  we  then  discovered  tlie  sternmost  snip  weariiu;  also; 
wore  ship  immediately  aft^  her,  and  gave  her  a  stern  n£e,  she 
lufiing  to  on  our  starboard  bow,  and  giving  us  her  laif>oard  broad- 
side. We  ranged  upon  her  larbbord  quarter,  within  hail,  and 
was  about  to  give  her  our  starboard  broadside,  when  she  struck 
her  colours,  firied  a  lee  gun  and  yielded.  At  50  minutes  past  6, 
took  possession  of  his  Britannic  majesty's  shipUCyane,  captain 
Gordon  Falcon,  mounting  34  guns.  At  8  P.  M.  filled  away  aftef'\ 
Jier  consort,  which  was  still  in  sight  to  leeward.  At  half  past  8, 
found  her  standing  towards  us,  with  her  starboard  tacks  close 
hauled,  with  topnulant  sails  set  and  colours  flying.  At50minqtes 
past  8,  ranged  close  alongside  to  windward  of  iier,  on  oppoiita 
tacks,  and  exchanged  brMdsides ;  wore  immediately  under  her 
stem  and  raked  her  with  a  broadside.  She  tiien  crowded  all  sail 
and  endeavoured  to  escape  by  ranning ;  hauled  on  board  our 
tacks,  set  spanker  and  flying  jib  in  chase.  At  half  past  9,  com- 
menced firing  on  her  from  our  starboard 'bow  chaser;  nve  her 
several  shot,  which  cut  her  spars  and  rigging  conridejrably.  At 
10  P.  M.  finding  they  could  not  escape,  fired  a  gun,  strack  her 
colours,  and  yielded.  We  immediately  took  possession  of  his 
Britannic  majesty's  ship  Levant,  hon.  captaih  George  Douglass, 
mounting  21  guns.  At  1  A.  M.  the  damages  of  our  rigging  wert 
repaired,  sails  shifted,  and  the  ship  in  fighting  condition. 


CAPTAIN  BIDDLE*S  ESCAPE  FkOM  A  74. 

U.  S.  SHIP  IIOBNET,  ST.  SALVADORE,  June  10th,  1815; 
SIR, 

I  havf  the  honour  to  re|x»rt,  that  the  Peacock  and  this  ship, 
having  continued  off  Christian  IX'Acunha,  the  number  of  days 
directed  by  you,  in  your  letter  of  instructions,  proceeded  in  com> 
pany  to  the  eastward  on  tiie  12th  of  April,  bound  to  tin  seiiiMid 
place  of  rendezvous.  Nothing  of  any  importance  occurred  t»  oe 
until  the  2rth  of  April,  when  at  7  A.  M.  m  latitude  38  30  soatii 
and  longitude  33  m»i,  we  mad»  a  strang^aaU  to  the  Mwlii  oattto' 


;|     :|^...^. 


/■ 


% 


496r 

iSuchiWp  |i3r*c)»iie.  Thif^wkid  wasfront^e  Borfli  eutbj  Mrili 
•Dd  light  throittiioat  the  diy*  and  bj  sun-down  we  had  neared 
the  chase  coniidenUy.  It  was  cidm  during  the  nig^t,  and  at 
day-li|^t  on  the  S8ti^he  waa  still  in  sight*  A  oreeze  sprii^nc  up 
from  the  nerth  west,  we  crouded  sail  with  steering  sails  on  botn 
sides;  the  chase  standing  to  the  northward  upon  a  wind.^  At  2 
45  P.  M.  the  Peacock  was  about  six  miles  ahead  of  this  ship ;  and 
ebserving  that  die  appeared  tQ  be  suspicious  of  the  chase,  I  took 
in  starboards  steenp^  sails*  and  hauled  up  for  the  Peacock.  I  waA 
still,  however,  of  ommon  that  the  chase  was  anindiaman,  though 
indeed  the  atmosphere  was  quite  smoky  and  indistinct,  and  I  con- 
cluded^  as  she  was  yerj  lai^,  that  captain  Wmrrington  was  wait- 
ing for  me  tbQ  join  him,  that  wemi^t  to^ie^er  so  along  side  of  her. 
At  9  f22  P.  M.  the  Peacock  made  the  signal  that  the  chase  was  a 
ship  of  the  line  and, an  enemj.  I  immediately  took  in  all  steering 
sails,  and  hauled  upon  a  wind  ;  the  enemy  then  upon  our^  lee 
quarter,  distant  about  eight  miles.  By  sunndown  I  had  perceived 
the  enemy  sailed  remarkably  £ut,  and  was  very  weatherly.  At 
9  P.  M.  as  the  enemy  was  gnining  upon  us,  and  as  there  was  every 
appearance  that  he  would >e.  eow^ed  to  keep  sij|;ht  of  us  during 
the  nig^ttl  considered  it  necessary  to  lighten  this  ship.  I  there- 
fore threw  overboard  12  tons  of  kentledge,  part  of  our  shot,  some 
of  our  heavy  spars,  cut  away  the  sheet  anchor  and  cable,  and 
started  tiie  wedges  of  the  masts.  At  2  A*  M.  the  enemy  beings 
rather  befoj^  Qur  lee-beam,  t  tacked  to  thos  westward ;  the  enemy 
also  tacked  and  continued  in  chase  of  us.  At  day-light,  on  the  29th, 
he  was  within  gun  shot  upon  our  lee  Quarter.  At  7  A.  M.  havine 
hoisted  English  colours,  and  a  rear  aamiral's  flag,  he  commenced 
firing  from  his  bow  guns.  As  his  shot  went  over  us,  I  cut  away 
the  remaining  anchor  and  cable,  threw  overboard  the  launch,  six 
of  our  suns,  more  of  our  ^ot,  and  every  heavy,  article  tiiat  was 
at  hand;  the  enemy  fired  al|put  thirty  shot,  not  one  of  which  took 
effect,  though  most  of  them  passed  over  us.  While  he  was  firing, 
thad  the  satis&ctionto  perceive  that  we  slowly.dropt  him,  and 
at  9  A.  M*  he  leased  his  fire. 

At  11  A.  M.  the  enemy  was  a^in  cor'ng  up  with  us.  I  now 
therefore  threw  overboard  all  our  remaining  guns  but  one  long 
gun,  nearly  all  our  shot,  all  our  spare  spars,  cut  away  the  top- 

SUant  forecastle,  j|ad  cleared  every  thine  off  deck,  as  well  as 
im  bdlow,  to  iig^teh  us  as  much  as  possible.  At  lioon  the  ene- 
my again  commenced -firing.  He  fired  many  sho^j^nly  tiiree  of 
Which  came  on  board;  two  striking  the  hull  and  one  passing 
through  the  jib.  It  is,  however,  extraordinary,  that  every  shot 
did  not  take  effept,  for  the  enemy,  the  second  time  he  commenced 
fiiring^  Was  certi^nly  within  three  quarter^  of  a  mile  of  this  ship, 
ai^d  tiie  sea  auite  smooth. 
.1  perceived  from  his  mmIs  that  the  effect  of  bis  fire  was  to  deaden 


At  2  SO  P.M. 


ius  wind,  and  at  2  P.  M.  he  again  ceased  firing.    , 

the  wipd  which  had  previejisljr,  and  greatly  to  our  disadvantage, 
ftacked  to  the  soutii  east,  hauled  to  the  we^ward,  and  freslied  up' 


%■ 


i  \ 


m 


'■M^ll  ■!  I' 


% 


4m. 


iiit: 


m' ! 


At  iiiui-dowtt^iB  eiienij  'wm  about  hat  idUm  'aitttfii.  *SHt  wind 
i^w^  fresh,  and  we  went  at  the  rate  of  <  nine  knots  throug^at  tii« 
r\fjast.  We  saw  the  eneni^  at  iptervals  through  the  squalls  dur^ 
ingthe«ii|riit,  and  atday^'lig^t  on  the  30th  he  was  about  1£  miles 
asHUi,  stni  in  chase  of  us.  At  9  30  A.  M.  he  took  in  steering 
sails,  reefed  his  top-sails-  and  hauled  to -the  eastward,  and  at  11 
A.  M.  he  was  entirely  out  of  sight.  During  the  chase  the  enemy 
appeared  to  be  very  crank,  ami  1  therefo^  conclude  he  must 
Mve  jifl^tened  while  in  chase  of  us.  I  did  not  at  an;|F  time  fire 
our  stern  chasers,  because  it  was  manifest  the  .enemy  injured  Ids 
sailitigl^  his  firing. 

As  we  had  n^w  no  anchor,  no  cable,  no  boat,  and  but  one  gun, 
there  was  of  course  an  absolute  nececwity  for  relinquishing  oui* 
intended  cruize ;  and  as  in  our  then  condition,  it  would  have  been 
extremely  hazardous  on  account  ofjthe  enemy^  cruizers,  to  ap- 
proach our  own  coast,  I  conHidered  it  most  adwitageous  to  pro- 
ceed for  this  port.  I  airived  here  yesterday,  and  on  my  arrival 
received  information  of  the  peace  between  the  United  Stetes  and 
Great  Britain.  Permit  me  to  stete  that  it  was  with  the  most 
painful  reluctance,  and  upon' the  fullWtcfmviction  that  it  was  in- 
dispensable ih  order  to  preveiat' a  greater  misfortune,  that  I  could  , 
bring  tiay  mind  to  consent  to  part  with  n^  guns ;  and  I  beg  leave 
to  r*tque8t,  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  move  the  honourable  the 
Secfetanr  of  the  Navy^  to  call  a  court  of  inquiry  to  investigate  the 
loss  of  $e  armament  of  IJds  ship.  It  wi^  be  vwy  satisfactory  to 
me  to  have  such  an  investigation. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Ice, 
J.  BIDDLE. 
Ctamnedore  Decatur. 


?f'ii 


??,:? . , 


.^Extract  from  the  journal  qf  one  of  the  offiuri  of  the  Hornet. 

'  **  During  this  tedious  and  anxious  chace,  the  wind  was  variable, 
so  as  to  omiffe  u^  to  niake  a  perfect  circle  round  the  enemy.  Be- 
tween. 2  and  3  o'clock  yesterday^  not  a  person  on  board  nad  the 
most  distant  idda  that  ther6  was  a  possibiHty  of  escape.  We  all 
packed  up  our  tilings,  and  waited  until  the  enetay's  shot  would 
comjueVtiB^o  heave  to  and  surrender,  which  appeared  certain. 
Never  has  there  been  so  evident  an  interposition  of  the  goodness 
of  a  Divine  Father ;  my  heart  with  gratitude  acknowledg;es  his 
.  supreme  powlilind  gjoodness.  On  the  morning  of  the  28th  it  was 
very  calm,  and  nothing  but  murmurs  were  heard  throughout  the 
shi^,  as  it  was  feared  we  riiould  lose  our  anticipated  prizie ;  many 
phiiis  had  been  formed  by  vis  for  the  disposal  of  our  plunder.  l%e 
seamen  declared  they  would  have'  the  birth  deck  carpeted  with 
East  India  silk,  supposing  her  an  Zndi^iminfrom  Indi|;  while  the 
officers,  under  the  impression  that  she^  was  from  SnjgUmd,  were 
making  arrangements  how  we  should  dispose  of  tiie  monevt  forter, 
ckeeae,  4*0. 4*c.    Nothing  perplexed  ut  mere  than  the  ulen  tiAt 


% 


•hoMtd  be  obliged  to  dettrbt  IttffV  Mr«  were  i^gretfihg  our  ih^ 
did  not  sail  faster,  %%  the  PeieMk  would  certawlj  capture  her 
ftrat;.  and  ^*mAA  ttdce  oat  many  of  the  best  and  most  taldable  «^ 
c\m  H^flre  w#illotfld^  up.  (This  verr  circumstance  of  ouriwl 
saflisc  <f  fatt  as.  the  Peacook,  saved  uft  in  the  first  instance  froiil 
iniMMdasture;  ib^  when  captain  UTarrington  made  Ike  signal 
iMffhe  Anl  ts  he  an  enemy  of  superior  force,  we  ivertt  four  leaanea 
to  wiii#iMurd;)  Werall  calculated  our  fortunes  were  taad«,.bttt  aisftl 
•»we^ii|^  I.  Tartar.** 

*> Jkrinr^e latter  part  of  the  chace,  whenthe  shot  asid  stiallfi 
werv  Whiinlnr  about  our  ears,  it  was  an-  interesting,  sight  t»  txti> 
hold'tlte.varicMa  countenances  of  our  crew.  They  nad  kepttka 
dedt^dnrihg  all  the  pneceding  nuht,  emplbyed  cimtinuailj  3m 
ligfktiBg  ^ship,  were  excessiiSy  fatinied,and  undeii  n/masu^^ 
expectation  of  hdliM;  into  the  hands  of  a  baritarous  aad.Mirag9« 
cnemys  The  shot  that  fefi-on  ihe  maaa  deck,  struck  inmedyfltsljtf 
over  iiehead.of  one  of  our^ipdUmt  fellows,  who  had  been  wwundea 
in  our  glorious  action  wi<&  the  Penguin,  where  he  was  lying,  tt 
his  oot  very  ill  «atK  hie  wounds;^  the  «hot  was  near  comingthroupi 
tine  deck,  apd  it  threw  tnni^erable  splinters  all  furound  tluMMm; 
fellow,  and  sfrack  down  a  small  paper  Am9rican  eiu%n,  whidi  h(| 
had  hoiJBted  ever  his  bed.  Destruction  apparentiy  stared  us  ip  th« 
face*  if  we  did  not  soon,  surrender,  yet  no  ofRcer,  no  min#  in.  the 
ship  showed  any  disposition  to  let  tiie  enemy  have  the  poor  little 
Hornet.  Many  <^iMir  men  had  been  impressed  and  intfruiaiMi 
for  years  in  their  horrible  service,  and  hated  tiwm.  and  their  na^Mi 
with  the  most  deadly  Inimosity ;  wMle  the  rest  of  the  crew,  honer 
struck  by  the  relation  of  the  sufferings  of  their  ship-matM,  i«l|S| 
had  been  in  the  power  of  the  English,  and  now  equdty  l^inif 
with  ragiSj,  joined  heartily  in  execrating  the  present  autiioi^eiveev 
misfortune* 

I*  Captain  Biddle  mustered  the  crew  and  told  them  he  was  pleisid 
with  their  conduct  during  the  chase,  and  hoped  still  to  perceive 
that  f^roprietv  (^conduct  which  had  always  marked  their  characterk 
and  that  of  the  American  tar  generally,  that  we  m^t  soon  e^^peet 
to  be  captured^  &c  Not  a  dry  eye  was  to  be  seen  at  the  metttioB 
of  capture.  The  rttqud  hearts  of  the  sailors,  like  ice  before  the 
swi.  warmed  by  tfa^vine  power  of  sympathv,  wept  ifl  ttnisoii 
with  their  brave,  coniiiander.  About  2  o'cloclc,  the  wind  whidi 
Had  crossed  us,  and  |^  te  the  test  all  our  nautical  skill  to  steer 
clear,  of  the  enemy,  now  veered  in  our  favour  and  we  leii  hloK* 
This  wais  truly  e  glorious  victory  over  the  horrors  of  beirid^Bieiit 
and  the  terrors  er&  Briti^  floatine  dungeon .  ^ick  ae  tkeegMr 
every  &ce  wa»diAjDiee9  from  the  gloom  of  despair  to  the  hig^Milt 
•milebf  deli«|;ht»aaiilw!ehegan  once  more  to  breathe  the  sweetaeif 
liberty*  The  \iV^  sij^s  of  regret  were  now  changed,;  a»d  I  |Nit 
ftrth  my  expresti/^n  oTeveriasting  gratitude  to  him,  the 


.A 


^. 


^ 

,  Author  of  our  being,  ivko  had  thus  ngnallj  4eUT4rcd  st  from  the 
piHrlr  of  a  cruel  and  vindictiTe  •neitty." 


#' 


tm. 


NEW  Y01lK»Au|Hi^94th,  1815. 


Conceiting  it  my  duty  to  make  known  the  treatment  exhib- 
ited  by  British  officers  and  men  to  thole  who  are  so  nnfortu^s^ 
•a  to  fall  in  their  power,  I  am  induced  to  acquaint  jou  with  the 
fbilowing  cireuihsunces. 

After  the  surrender  of  the  Sjren  to  the  Medway,  the  oficeri  and 
crew  of  tiie  former  were  removed  to  the  latter,  the  crew  not  being 
allowed  to  take  their  clothing,  &c  with  them,  so  that  the  prize 
crew  had  a  fair  opportunity  of  plundering  such  articles  as  they 
tiiottg^t  proper,  which  opportunity  they  took  care  to  profit  by,  as 
mimy  or  our  men  were  pillaged  of  every  article  they  posaessed, 
excepting  what  they  had  on  at  the  timo;  and  the  officers  in  like 
inanner  were  plunuered  on  board  tiie  Medway ;  the  |nidshipmen« 
aome  of  them,  were  completely  stripped,  others  lost  their  watches, 
&c. 

For  my  own  part,  I  came  off  with  tiie  toaa  of  about  half  my 
dothing,  and  thought  myself  well  off  when  compared  with  the; 
losses  of  my  shipmates.  The  morning  after  our  capture  we  were 
mustered  on  the  quarterdeck  to  undergo  a  search ;  the  men  were 
there  stript  to  the  skin,  and  their  clotiiing  not  returned,  so  that 
many  of  them  were  left  without  any  thing  more  than  a  shirt  and 
trowsers ;  the  next  day  Mr.  Baarton  (the  first  lieutenant  of  the 
Medway)  distributed  the  clothing  he  hadtaken  from  our  men  to 
his  quarter  masters  and  quarter  gunners,  in  my  presence.  After 
being  on  board  the  Medway  five  weeks,  we  were  landed  at  Simon's 
town,  twenty- five  miles  to  the  eastward  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope, 
myself  and  oruther  officers  paroled,  and  the  men  marched  to  Cape 
town  under  an  escort  of  dragoons,  being  oblieed  to.  ford  a  lake 
on  the  march,  where  the  boys  we^^e  compelled  to  go  over  on  the 
backs  of  the  tall  men ;  this  march  of  twenty-five  miles  was  per- 
formed in  one  day,  and  without  shoes  or  food,  the  latter  article 
they  were  kept  without  four  and  twenty  hours ;  their  shoes  wera 
ittivm  by  the  crew  of  the  Medway  while  they  were  asleep.  After 
,  remainlnff  in  this  situation  nearly  eight  months,  without  bed  or 
bedding  (they  were  not  even  furnished  with  straw,  and  tSeir'ham- 
mocks  were  taken  on  the  plea  of  their  being  puUic  property)  we 
were  all  embarked  in  different  men  of  war  and  IndSanoien,  for 
England;  myself,  with  about  sixty  officers  and  men  in  the  Cum- 
benand  74,  captain  Baker :  we  were  all  put  in  the  lower  gun-deck 
witiioat  distinction,  among  their  own  crew,  and  fed  on  prisoners* 
allovirance;  and  on  my  remonstrating  with  tiie  capti^in  rorroceiv- 
ing  such  treatment,  he  ordered  me  off  the  quarter  deck,  witii  a 
threat  at  the  same  time  to  put  me  in  irons.  vVe  remained  in  tiiis 
ritution  ^ghttan  days,  a^r  which,  lieutenants  Qerman,  Gordon* 


iT^rad  US  firom  ilit 


treatmeot  ezhib- 
^  to  MpfortuQ^ 
uaiiit  jou  with  ^e 


the 


•  theoftcersand 
le  crew  not  being 
» 80  that  the  prize 
ch  articles  at  tiiej 
ftre  to  profit  by,  as 
e  they  posaeased. 
ne  officers  in  like 
;  the  .nidshipmen* 
lost  their  watches, 

of  about  half  my 
ompared  with  the; 
r  capture  we  were 
ch ;  the  men  were 
:  returned,  so  that 
i  than  a  shh^  and 
t  lieutenant  of  the 
n  from  our  men  to 
presence.    After 
landed  at  Simon's 
ipe  of  Good  Hope, 
I  march«d  to  Cape 
d  to  ford  a  lake 
to  go  over  on  the 
Tt  miles  was  per- 
the  latter  arficle 
their  shoes  were 
(re  asleep.  After 
B«  without  bed  or 
^  and  tSeir'ham- 
Mic  property)  we 
d  Indiamen,  for 
nen  in  the  Cum- 
i  lower  gon<deck 
red  on  prisoners' 
tptf|in  forroceiv- 
ter  deck,  with  a 
remained  in  this 
kuinan,  Gordon, 


4»»^ 

ttid  myself,  wire  renored  to  the  Grampus,  iO  guns,  at  St.  HelaiL 
admitted  to  the  ward  room  mess,  and,  treated  with  civility. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

'  N.  D.  NICHOLSQK. 

Crat.  Ssmuel  Evaiis.  ^.y-.,., 

Tm  roLLowiKo  DOCUMENTS  WERE  aecHentolly  oMrrrsn  TO'Bft 

INStRTSD  IK  TMBIR  PROPER  PLACES    AOOOROINO   TO   THEIR 
DATES. 

jB^rttetfrom  Commodore  Bainbridge*9  Journal,  coniahdng  mi- 
nuitii  of  the  atiian.v>ith  the^Britiah  frigate  Java, 

''"Wednesday,  December  SOth,  1812 (nautical  time)  in  latitude 
19  d^rees,  6  minutes  south,  and  longitude  39  west,  ten  leagues  from 
the  coast  pf  Brazil— commences  with  clear  weather  and  mode* 
rate  breezes  from  east  north-east,  hoisted  our  ensign  and  pendants 
At  lj5  minutes  past  meridian,  the  ship  hoisted  her  colours,  an 
English  ensign  havine  a  signal  flj[ing  at  her  main,  red,  yellow  an4 
red.  At  1  26  P.  M.  Mins  sufficiently  from  the  land,  and  finding 
the  ship  to  be  an  English  frigate,  took  in  the  main-sail  and  royals, 
tacked  ship  and  stoml  for  the  enemy.  At  1  50  P.  M.  the  enemy 
bore  down  with  the  intention  of  raking  us,  which  we  avoided  by 
wearing.  At  2  P.  M.  the  enemy  being  within  half  a  mile  of  uSu 
and  to  windward,  and  having  hauled  down  his  colours,  except  ai|. 
Union  Jack  at  the  mizeu'mast  head,  induced  me  to  nve  orders  td; , 
the  officers  of  the  Sd  division  to  fire  one  ^n  ahead  of  the  ene- 
my to  make  him  show  his  colours,  which  being  done,brouriitoh  i; 
fire  from  us  of  the  whole  broadside,  on  which  the  enemy  noisted 
his  colonra4iid  immediately  returned  our  fire.  A  general  action 
with  round  Mid  f^pe  then  commenced,  tlie  enemy  keeping  at  a 
much  greater  distance  than  I  wished,  but  could  not  bring  mm  t« 
cloeer  action  without  exposing  ourselves  to  several  rakea^  Con« 
siderable  manouvres  were  maBe  by  both  vessels  to  rake  anU  avoid 
being  Tiked.  Ilie  ibUowing  minutes  were  taken  during  the  ac< 
tibn. 

*<  At  2  10  P.  M.  commenced  the  action  witiiin  good  grape  and 
eanister  distance,  the  enemy  to  windward,  but  much  further  tiiaa 
I  "Irished.  At  2  SO  our  wheel  was  shot  entirely  away.  Two  40, 
determined  to  close  with  the  enemy,  notwithstanding  his  raking, 
set  the  fore  and  mainHMil  and  luffed  up  close  to  him.  Two  5t^ 
the  enemy's  jib-boom  eot  foul  of  our  mizen-rigging,  Three* 
the  head  of  the  enemy's  iiowsprit  and  jib-boom  shot  away  by  us; 
Three  5,  shot  away  the  enemy's  foremast  by  the  board.  T1ire4 
15,  diet  away  his  main  topmast  just  above  the  cap.  Hhite  40, 
shot  a#ay  giff  and  spanker  boom.  Three  55^  shot  away  his  < 
mizen  mast  nearly  by  the  board.  Four  5,  having  silenced  tim 
fire  of  the  eiiomy  completely,  and  his  colours  in  main  riEglqg 
beiii|  down,  s«t!pos^  he  had  struok^  then  hauled  abOarcTtlM 


■■;! 


• 


\  I 


fi 


• 


•  i 


'til 


* 


■■^w^ 


».     'f-'^ 


1' 


m 


T-: 


•  '    B. 


f 


II:- 


m 

..i; 

I  h'^ 

.^l^ll 

0.~'  - 

■:.      ,.?:.'| 

U 
•3:}  ■• 

:    r\ 

:  1; 

' .  >,• 

*  V"  .  ■ 

<lM|&cimr^#  flte  WM  itUl  Ulinf  {  hove  to,  to  rtp»ir  mmm  of  our 
^  .  Vmv^tO,  the  tnwnft  nuunmut  went  OMurlj  by  the 
Tour  50,  wore  ship  and  stood  for  the  ei^ni^^  Five  85, 
^▼ery  dote  to  the  enemy  in  a  very  effectual  raktng  jnrition, 
_„.wart  his  bows,  and  was  at  the  very  instant  of  raking  bin,  when 
Kft  moet^trwlMttly  strudrhis  flag,forhadheBiiJlMnBdl^bnMdfii4e 
ift  h<tve  taiked  him,  lus  additiontd  loss  must  have  been. extremely 
great,  as  he  laid  an  nnmanageable  wreck  upon  the  watefr 

»  After  the  enemy  had  struck,  wqre  ship  and  reefed  the  topsails, 
ttien  limsted  ont  one.  «f  tii«  oidy  two  remaining  bof  ts  we  had 
left  oat  ef  «ight,  and  sent  lieutenant  Parker,  let  of  the  Constitu- 
lien*  4o  -take  posaefwiim  of  ^e  enemy,  which  proved  to  be  his 
Sriibumic  mmesty*9  frigate  Java,  rated  38  but  carried  49  gan^  end 
minnad  wiu  upwjMrds  of  4Q0  men,  cinnmanded  by  eept«n  Lam- 
ImpU  a  very  djsting-whed  officer,  who  was  moi^y  wonuded. 
tnie  action  continuea  from  the  conumencement  to  the  end  of  the 
ftre*  one  hour  and  fif^.five  minutes.    The  Constitution  had  9 
killed  «nd  S5  wounded.    The  enemy  had  60  killed  and  101  cer- 
tainly wounded;  but  by  a  letter  written  onboard  theC<»»titution, 
Inr  4me  of  the  officers    of  the  Java,  and  accidentiJly^  found; 
it  is  evident  the  enemy's  wounded  must  have  been  considerably 
H^iatir^ttan  as  above  stated,  and  who  must  have  died  of  their 
wounde  previously  to  their  being  removed.    The  letter  states  60 
killed  JU)d  170  wounded.    The  Java  had  her  own  complement  of 
men  comdiele^«nd  upwards  <rf  100  SHpemumerariee,  gmeg  to  join 
^e  ^fitiah  ^ipe  fnf  war  in  the  Eut  Indies ;  also  eevecyl  officers, 
yMMVgiira,  ^ng  out  on  promotion.    The  force  of  the  enemy  in 
ptnbtriof  men,  at  the  commencement^  the  action,  was  no  doubt 
qmsldevably  greater  than  we  have  been  able  t<^iiac«rtaiii,  which  ia 
npurapds  nfAQO  men.    The  ^cers  were  e«lr#mely  ca»tions  in 
Owooveringlhe  number.    By  her  quarter  biU  she  hid  ene  nan 
mofB9titt^m$d  at  each  gnn  than  webad.  ^ 

.  f»  The4Qeiisi(itntii>n  was  very  mwoh  eutin  bMrsifla  and  rigging  and 
many  of  her  spars  ii^nred.  At  7  P.  M.  the  boat  retnmed  with 
lientenajit  ChMs»  1M  imtlientenmit  ef  the  eneoaiy'f  Mgnte.  and 
JUetttGrnntAeneml  Hyelop,  (appointed  goiremerof'^ilombny)m^or 
Walker  ai^Mptain  >¥eed,  belonging  to  hiastaff.  Captain  Lam- 
t»^  nf  tjie  Im,  wee  too  dangerously  wounded  to  be  removed  im- 
ine4i»|i9ly.  The  cutter  retnmed  en  benrd  the  prime  for  the 
pi4Mi|ers,4nd  brought  captain  Marshall,  master  and  nemnander 
pf  thf  British  navy,  wtio  was  naasenger  on  board,  as  also  several 
«tbnri&av«l  efficera,  destined  Hnt  ships  in  the  East  Indies^ 
.  llm  lava  f^  an  important  ahip,  fitted  eat  in  the  oompletBst 
iwnneir,  to  carry  lieutenant  general  Hyslep  and  staff  teVombay, 
9§A  mfm\  liaval  oflkeva  for  diiwent  ships  in  tlw  Baai  Indies : 
/  m4Jw4  teatchea  for  St.  lie)«ia.  Cape  efCtaod  Hepc^Md  eveiy 
InMlifPlalMiWimtiii  th«  India  iMidCbiw^afmr^  9Ha  had  ta 


PHiiotier  OA'boHd  the  American  AigtteConsdtutioi^  m.  Sahri^ 

Januaiy  lit,  ISlStPiMili. 

Ifv  ksAa  Bia, 

I MD  lorrj  to  inform  you  ot  the  unpletstnt  newc  ofl  Mr. 
OftMoigqe's  death.  Mr.  Gascoigne  and  myself  were  shipmaAei  in 
the  Marlboro,  and  fint  came  to  lea  together.  He  was  sliot  in  the 
«arW  {Murt  of  tiie  action  by  a  round  ahet  in  his  right  thigh,  and 
diea  a  few  nannteB  after;  four  others  of  his  messmates  shared 
the  same  fate,  together  with  60  men  killed  and  t70w<»unded. 
The  oAcial  account  tou  no  doubt  heard  of  before  this  reaches 
you.  1  beg  you  wiR  let  all  his  friends  and  relations  hear  of  hit 
untimely  fate.  We  were  on  board  the  Java  frigate  for  a  paasi^ 
to  India,  when  we  firll  in  with  this  fri^te.  IVo  parcels  1  have 
sent  you  under  good  care--4tope  this  will  reach  you  safe. 

Yours  trulT, 
H.  D.  COHNECK. 
U.  Peter  V,  Wood,  3Sd  fegiment  of  foot. 

Isle  of  Fnuice  or  Boivbon,  East  Indies. 


■IP 

.ill 
i\ 


li, 


jf,»»)|^iij 


>*  i 


A  true  coi 


Wl 


LLIAM  BAINBRIDGB. 


CAPTURE  OF  THE  BOXER. 

UNITED  STATES'  BRIG  ENTKRPIUZR,  PORTLAND, 

September  Ttfato  1913.  . 

SI'R,  ,,;#, 

In  consequence  of  the  unfortunate  death  <^  lieutenant. com'  m^  f 
mandant  William  Burrows,  Ute  commander  of  this  veiiel,  it  ^^-,. 
devolves  on  nwe  to  acquaint  you  with  the  result  of  oov  cruize. 
After  sailing  from  PbramouLi  on  the  1st  instant,  we  stlNlred  to 
thi^iWVtwaids  and  •■  the  momine^f  ^  8d,  off  Wood,  blandg, 
diiQsWed  a  schooner,  which  we  chased  into  this  harbitt',  where    .,^. 
wft  anchored.    On  the  morning  of  the  4th  weighed  Jini^r  and^^ 
swej^  out,  mmI  continued  our  cruize  to  the  eastward.    Having 
received  MiformatioB  of  several  privateers  being  off  Manhagan, 
we  stood  fur  thatjslace;  and  on  the  following  morning,  in  ^« 
bajr  near  Penguin  Pooit,  <Uscqvered  a  brig  getting  under  weigh, 
which  appearad  tobe  a  vessel  of  war,  and  to  which  we  immediately 
gave  chaae.    %e  ftsed  several  guns  and  stood  for  us,  havhag  four 
enMgna  hoisted*    After  rtconnmtering  and  discovering  her  force, 
end  the  nation  to  whieh  tine  belonged,  ^«  hanled  upon  a  wind  to 
stand  out  of  (he  bi^,  and  at  3  o'clock  shortened  sul,  tacked  and 
n»4ibwn  wi^  an  Intention  tobri^  her  to  elofte  actifMo.    At 
SO  mionteasfiimr  3  E  M«  when  withm  half  nittol  shot,  tVe  firinr 
eenuneneed  from  b«th,  ead  after  being  wetmiy  kept  ixp,  nid  with 


i 


#'^ 


m 


J- 


M'9 


|:^ 

i 

1 

i 

1  •■ 

'            ':U'; 

;'            *    -I 

I 


ll 


*' 

•onii^ii^MiMvrlns,  thft  wiemrliailed  and  mM  HhtjhadwawnmAw" 
«d,  abjiii  4  P.  M.  Their  coloun  being  nailed  to  the  matta,  eovld 
not  MMuled  down«  She  proTed  to  ne  hia  Britannic  majeaty'a 
briff  ifimr*  of  14  gttM,  Samuel  Blythe,  eaqnire,  oooamander,  who 
feljp^iP,  early  put  of  the  engagement,  having  recmved  a  cannon 
«h<Ki!MHigh  the  body.  And  I  am  aorrjr  to  add  that  Keatenant 
BarroWs»  who  had  callantlj  led  ua  to  action,  fell  alao  Aont  tho 
samQitime  by  a  muaket  ball,  which  terminated  hia  eaiatence  in  8 
^oani,  ' 

The  Enterprize  suffered  much  in  spars  and  rignng,  and  tiie 
Bo^er  bpth  in  spars,  rigging  and  hull,  having  many  snots  between 
wind  and  water.  It  would  be  doing  injustice  to  the  merit  of  Mr. ' 
Ullinghast,  Sd  lieutenant,  were  I  not  to  mention  the  able  asaist- 
aniBe^  1  received  fi'om  him  during  thfi  remainder  of  the  engagement, 
by  his  strict  attention  to  his  own  division  and  other  departmenta. 
Abd  the  ofiScers  and  crew,  generally,  I  am  happy  to  add,  from  their 
cool  and  determined  conduct  have  my  warmest  approbation 
and  applause. 

As  njv^uster  roll  that  can  be  fully  relied  on  came  into  my 
session,  I  cannot  exactly  state  the  number  killed  on  board  the 

i\er;  but  from  information  received  from  the  officers  ot  that 
esael,  it  appears  there  were  between  twenty  and  twenty-five 
killed,  and  fourteen  wounded.  Enclosed  ia  a  Ibt  of  killed  and 
wounded  on  board  the  Enterprize. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

EDWARD  It  M*CALL,  senior  o,^lcer, 
Ibmu:  Hull,  Esquire. 

«Kiu.BD,  1.  WovNDED,  19— of  whom  lieutenant  Burrows,  com- 
mander, midshipman  Kervan  Waters,  and  carpenter's  mateElisha 
Blapsom,  have,  since  died. 


posi 

^^CSI 


C^kers  killed  and  wounded  in  the  hattU  of  JifVagariu 

laiUd,  Major  M*Farland.  23d  infantry.  Captain  Ritchie, 
torps  of  artillery.  Captain  Hull,  9th  infantry.  Captain  M'Kin- 
I'V^hey,  25th  do.  Captain  Goodrich,  11th  do.  1st  lieutenant  Bige-  > 
low,  2l8t  do.  Ist  lieutenant  Turner,  9th  do.  Sd  lieutenant 
Burghardt,  9tii  do.  Ensien  Hunter,  25th  do.  Captain  Hooper. 
New  York  volunteers.    Adjutant  Poe,  Pennaylvania  volunteers. 

Wounded.  Maior  general  Brown,  severelv.  Captain  S^ncer^ 
his  aid  fsince  dead).  Artillery,  captain  Bidale,  sli^tly.  2d  li«V', 
tenant  Campbell,  nadly.    2d  lieutenant  Schmuck,  severely. 

First  brigade.  Brigadier  general  Scott,  severely.  Lieutenant 
J.  D.  Smith,  5th  infantry,  origade  major,  badly.  Lieutenant 
Worth,  2Sd  infantry,  A.  D.  C.  severely.  Major  Leavenwwth. 
slightly.  Captain  W.  L.  Foster,  slightly.  Lieutenant  and  pay> 
master  iPowle,  slightly.  Lieutenant  and  quarter  master  Brown- 
ing, alightly.    sd  hentenaat  Fisher,  Hverely.    3d  Ueatentnl^ 


f*', 


w 


># 


hJ' 


5Q» 

CtttluBM^  tKckilT;   ^Mign  O,  Jaeobi,  Mverely; 
Jacobt,  ■lightijr.'Engigii  Blake  ilightlv.    11th  " 


4 


{nfahtrj^^Nifgor 


M'Neil,  Mveraij.  Captain  Bliti,  badflj.  1st  ISententtn  Rail* 
•Hghti J.  •  fid  lievtenant  ueapert  ^^H^htly.  sd  lieutenant  StojihefMiiil* , 
iUghtly.  £naign  Bedford,  Niji^tlT.  Bn8igul!1wmpaon(f6lh,4.dli^ 
duty  in  the  1  Itn,  severely*  9M  imantrj->-colonel  Brad j,  siB'^rarf* ' 
Captain.  Pentlattt,  severely.  Captain  Faulk,  severely.  1st  lieu- 
tenant Calbertson»  severely.  1st  lieutenant  Furguson,  caniliter 
shot  in  the  hand.  2d  lieutenant  Armstrong,  dangerously.'  Sd  liett« 
tenant  Bean,  slightly.  S5th  infantry*— Migor  Jessup,  severely.( 
Lieutenant  and  adjutant  Shaylorr  severelj.  Lieutenant  and  quar^ 
ternuater  M*Glassi, badly.    Sd  lieutenant  GKafford  Severely. 

Btisimilnigade,<\vt  infantry— 1st  lieutenant  Vasquiz, shghtl v« 
Ist  lieutenant  Bissel,  slightly.  Slst  infantry—Captain  Burbank.  ^ 
severely*  1st  lieutenant  CiUey,  severely.  Sd  lieutenant  Fbk  '' 
(of  the  19th  attached)  slightly.  Ensign  Jones,  slightly.  Ensign 
Camp  (2d  rifle  regiment  attached)  slightly.  Ensign  Thomas, 
slightly.  2dd  infantrv--Oaptain  Odell,  severely.  Ist  lieutenant 
H.  Mliiting,  severely.  2d  lieutenant  lagersoll.  slightly.  2d 
lieuteuant  Tappan,  slightly.  3d  lieutenant  Abeel,  slightly.  3d 
lieutenant  Deitereieh,  slipitly.    3d  lieutenant  Lamb,  severely. 

BniOADfBK   OENBRAL  PO»TBR*S   OOMMAMD.   NoW    York    VOtun" 

teers— -Lieutenant  colonel  DobUn,  slightly.  Lieutenant  O'FIing^ 
sli^tly.  Pennsvlvaniavolunteers— major  Wood,  severely.  (i^ar-< 
ter  master  Maclay,  severely.  Lieutenant  Dick,  severel  v.  Briga- 
dier general  Porter  was  slightly  wounded,  but  declined  being  re- 
ported. '  -^  " 
(Meen  mmtng,  1st  lieutenant  Perry,  9th  infantry,  a  prisonei'j 
Sd  lieutcjaant  Webster,  severely,  shot  in  the  head  and  taken  pri^ 
soner.  Lieuteants  Stureis,  Keps  and  Davidson,  2d  infantry,  sup^ 
posed  to  be  killed.  Vorunteei*s — Brigade  major  Stanton,  of  New 
York,  taken  prisoner.  Captain  Roberts,  of  Pennsylvania,  taken 
prisoner.  Lieutenant  Hunt,  of  New  York,  supposed  to  be  killed. 

BRITISH  PRISONERS  TAKEN.  > 

One  major  genera],  (Riall,  severely  wounded  in  the  arm.)  1  aid- 
deocamp.  1  captain  and  2  subalterns  of  the  103d  regiment.  1 
ca^aiii  S9th  renment.  1  captain  provincial  dragoons.  3  captains, 
2  subalterns.  liilitia. — 1  lieutenant  royal  engineers.  3  subalterns 
royal  Scetts.  1  do.  Olengary  corps.  Quarter  master  of  8th  or 
KuiK^s  regiment.  Quarter  master  of  41st  regiment,  and  150  rank 
and  file.    Aggregate  169. 


'I 


*'■'% 


I 


'»%:.i 


ii 


m\ 


i 


'im 


% 


%■- 


■-■iiir' 


"•4 


:^' 


% 


i$4 


■iv 


^1. 


Mi%oir  pttce  ana  ailufr  1tot«(reiih  fchr  Jritann(e  mtj^ 

tbeUnitBd  SUrtes  of  Anieriiea. 

.    .s        '  •    • 

Ifii^Britaaitic  msjettj,  md  the  UiiHed  8t«tM>  off  A«MiiBi« 
MMii  of  termiiwting  the  wir  which  ha»  «iihap|%  fvldBted  he< 
tWMtt'&e  two  ceuBtries,  end  of  reitoriing^  upon  prtaciptee  of  per-' 
iiet  reciprocitT,  peace,  friendship^  atid  geed  uiiderattndhig,  be-' 
twetathem,  naTe,  for  that  purpose*  im»oiiited  their  Nipeetiv« 
plmiMtentiaries,  that  if  to  saf:  HieBrhaDnic  majeely.en'hle 
yart.  hat  ammiiitedthe  right  hoMouitdde  James  lord  Oambier,  hKe 
tdainl  oi  the  white,  new  admiral  of  the  red  squadren  of  hiiil 
midestjr's  fleet,  Henry  Ooulbom^  esquire^  a  member  of  the  impe- 
rial iparliament,  and  under  secretary  of  slate,  andWllliam  Adams. 
«      esquire,  doctor  of  civil  laws :  And  the  president  of  the  Unitei^ 
^'itates,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate  thereof|» 
has  appointed  JohnQuincy  Adnms^  James  A*  Bayard,  Henry  Clay  ^ 
JonadMm  Husesll,  and  Albert  Qallalin,  ckixens^  of  the  United 
Statea,  who,  ifter  a  reciprocal  communicatien  of  their  respective 
M\  powers,  have  amed  apen  the  fbltowing  articles; 
ji^,.    Aut.  1.  There  snail  be  a  firm  and  universal  peace  between  his 
^^TOritannic  majesty  and  the  United  Stdtes^  and  between  their  re< 

rtive  countries,  territeries,  cities,  towns,  andpeonte^  of  every 
ee,  without  exception  of  places  or  persons.  A4l^  hasttltties, 
betSi  by  sea  and  land,  shall  cease  as  soon  as  this  treaty  shall  have 
been  ratified  by  both  parties^  as  hereinafter  mentioned.  .411  terri- 
tory, places,  and  possessione  whatsoever,  taken  by  either  perty 
from  the  other,  during  the  war,  or  which  may  be  takeii  ufter  the 
signing  of  this  treaty,  excepting  only  the  islands  h^ieinafter 
mentioMd,  lAiall  be  restored  witmMit  delay,  and  without  causing 
aar  deetructiont  or  carrying  away  any  of  the  artillery  or  other 
pumic  property  originally  captured  in-^e  said  forts  or  places,  and 
which  shaH  remain  therein  upon  the  exchange  of  the  ratifications 
df  tliis  tventy,  or  any  slaves  or  other  private  property.  And  alt 
iBchives,  recordst  deeds>  and  papers,  ei^er  of  a  public  nature,  or 
#•  beroncing  to  private  persons,  which,  in  the  course  of  the  war, 
'''  anay  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  oficers  of  either  party i, 
•hul  be,  as  far  as  may  be  practicable,  forthwith  restored  and  de- 
livered to  the  proper  authorities  and  persons  to  whom  they  res- 
pectively belong.  Such  of  the  islands^in  the  Bay  of  Fassamaquoddy 
aa  are  claimed  ny  both  parlies,  shall  remain. in  the. possession  of 
the  party  in  whose  occupation  tliey  may  be  at  the  time  of  the  ex- 
change of  the  ratifications  of  this  treaty,  until  the  decision  ces- 
pectii^  the  title  to  the  said  islands  inall  have  been  made  in 
conformity  with  the  fourth  article  of  this  treaty.  No  disposition 
made  by  mis  treaty,  as  to  such  possession  of  the  islands  and  terri- 
tories claimed  by  both  parties,  shall,  in  any  manner  whatever,  be 
G(Hi|telied  to  affect  the  right  of  either. 

Wk,  2.  Immediately  after  the  ratifications  of  this  treaty  by^ 
both  parties,  as  hereinafter  mentioned,  orders  shall  be  sent  to  the 


0 


*^# 


ijms 


i 


WPst 


•rt,  to  c«M6  tnn  all  hottilHicf  t  al^,  t*  Pffveili  iU' 
cottj^nnt  which  might  ariie  on  MctMlfit  of  tiit  prixat  H 
N  takoB  at  iM  after  tha  nid  ratiftaMaoiM  of  Urn  $|)t^|jr, 


aipBMaUf  afraod*  that  all  v«Mab#Mt  ofocts  which  mfy  JiiMI 
ai|iv  (he  apace  of  twelve  daya  ffm  4hc  said  ntiftfiafai|^i 
all  perta  of  the  coast  of  Noathb^Aneiica.  Iwm  tha  latitiida«f 


tveiity-three  degreea  north,  lid^  latitude  of  fifty  degreesimpth, 
and  as  lar  eastmd  in  the  AAluitic  ocean  as  tha  thirty fSbtu  de- 
gree.of  west  longitade  froii  thajaeridian  of  QreenwichK  shall  he 
restored  an  esch  aide  t  Ihat  tha  tina  ohaU  he  thirty  dars  Ui  all 
other  parts  of  tha  AtlaRtio  ocean/  nortk  of  the  eqainMtial  line  or 
aqnator,  and  tha  ahihe  time  fee  the  British  and  Irish  ohanna^»  for 
the  Qttlf  of. Jieiico»aad  aO  parts  of  t^  West  Indiesi  forty  days 
hr  thaMarth  8eas»  fortheBaUic,  and  for  all  parts- af. tha  Meditsr- 
•iiiean  x  sixty  d^s  for  the  Atlantic  ocean  south  of  the  equator, 
aafiur  as  the  latitnda  of  tha  Cape  of  Good  Wepei  nineCf  days 
for  averr  other  part  of  the  world  south  of  the  equator :  and  one 
hundred  and  twenty  days  Ibr  all  other  iiarts  of  the  world,  with- 
ewiexeeption* 

▲nr.  3.  All  prisoners  af»  war  taken  on  either  sidc»  as  wall 
land  aa  hy  sea*  shall  ha  restored  so  soon  as  practicaUe  after  the 
mtiioatiana  of  thia  treaty,  aa  hweinafter  raentionad,  qn  ^tJieir 
payins  tiie  dehta  which  they  may  haM  centraciked  dxmng  their 
eapdwy.  The  two  contva<4ing  partiea  respectively  eagsmtto 
dischiu^  in  apecie^  the  sdvances  which  may  hare  bean  jmuo  by 
tha  other  for  the  sustenance  and  maintenance  of  such  pnsa«i^rs« 

Anff.  dk  Whereas  it  was  stipulated  by  die  aacond  article  in  &e 
tnaty  af  peaioc,  of  one  thousand  seren  nundred  and  e^ty-thrM, 
b(rtween  hia  Britannic  mijosty  and  the  United  States  ^  Amwica, 
thnt  the  boundary  of  the  United  States  should  comprehend  all 
isUnds  witidn  twenty  leagues  of  any  part  of  ikib  shores  of  the 
Umted  Stifttea,  and  lyiaebMween  lines  to  be  drawn  due  east  from 
thapMAts  where  tha  ameesaid  houndariesy  between  Novagco 
lia,  on  the  ene  part,  md  Bast  Florida,  on  the  otkei^  shall  re^pacr 
tivety  toutth  the  Bay^af  Fnndy,  and  the  Atlantic  ocean,  etcttnliag 
such  itfands  as  now  are,  or  heretofore  have  been,  within  the  umitsH' 
«rf  Nova  Sootui;  and  whoreas  tiie  sevend  islands  in  the  Bay  of 
Pssssmayoddy,  which  is  part  of  the  Bay  of  Fundy,  and  the 
island  of  GnrkaA  Kenan,  in  the  said  Bay  at  Fundy,  are  claimed 
by  the  Ifnitad  States,  asbeingcmnBrdiended  irithm  their  afore- 
avd  boundiriils,  wMch  said  irianos  are  claimed  as  belonging  to 
hisBritattmc  majestr*  as  having  been  at  die  time  of,,  and  pre - 
vniuBtbt'tiieaforesaM  treaty  of  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
d|^y^*thiie«,  within  the  mnits  of  the  province  of  Nova  Scotia : 
in  OHlieir,^the^sft»•,  fimdiy  taderids  upon  these  daimitit  is 
sigiMMid  thattiiey  shall  be  refinrred  to  tw»  commisioners  ta;|a  ap- 
pmutediiiithaivllawiaf  manner,  riz:  one  comDibsionerstiAl  be 
«pp«liilad'<by  Ida  Britannic  m^esty,  and  one  by  the  president  of 


«>'  I 


4 


♦I 


t 


^^       "i 


iw^ 


4- 


a 


■  »i 


C  1 


h 

w 

i    ,-^ 

•  ( 

1 

i 

') 

,^  i 

t 

li 

1^ 

' 

''v  ^ ,  ■     ' 

%  J 

1 

'■'  i 

llf 

',|     --i  •■ 

N'l    H<^^ 

rw 

1  ff 

f"-'     Mi'S/ 

M-i 

H*. 

9 

P 

1  '. 

i' 

»*| 

n 

ill 

8M 

tli9 Halted  Btitei,  by  ud  with  the  a^l'iee  tnd  conpcBtor  the 
•ettte  thf  ^eof,  end  the  uUi  two  conmiMioners  lo  appointed,  iheU 
be  iwoni  iw^^iaUff  to  e^MtmiiM  and  dteid*  upon  tM  uM  cMm, 
amrdiiati»~Mtek  9iritkiic0m $Ml k9  laid  More  th^mim  iht  fmri 
ofkU  Brttmmh  vii^ui^  mdoftlu  UniM  Stales,  r»$ptetivtfy, 
Tho  Kiid  comminuonert  thell  meet  at  St  Andrewi,  iu  the  pro- 
vince of  New  Brumwick,  andlhall  have  power  to  adjourn  to  euch 
other  place  or  places  aa  thej  iMall  thinh  fit  The  aaid  commii- 
•ionert  ihalU  bj  a  declaration  or.  report,  under  their  huidi  and 
Mali,  decide  to  which  of  the  two  contracting  parties  the  leveral 
ielandi  aibretaid  do  respectively  beIon|,  in  conformity  with  the 
true  intent  of  the  said  treaty  of  peace^«f,  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  eightj^-three.  And  if  the  said  eommissioners  shall 
agree  in  their  decirlon,  both  parties  shall  consider sfueh  decision 
as  final  and  conclusive.  It  is  further  agreed,  that  In  the  event 
of  the  two  commissioners  differing  upon  ul  or  any  of  the  matters 
so  r^erred  to  them,  or  in  the  event  of  both  or  either  of  the  said 
commissioners  refusing,  or  deolining,  or  wilfully  omitting,  to  act  aa 
such,  they  shall  make,  jointiy  or  separately,  a  report  or  repots,  aa 
,well  to  the  government  of  his  Britannic  m^esty  as  to  that  of  tiie 
United  States,  stating,  in  detail,  the  points  on  which  they  diil^r, 
and  the  grounds  upon  which  their  respective  opinions  have  been  for- 
med or  mseFOunds  upon  which  they,  or  either  of  them,  have  so  re ! 
fused,  declined,  m  omitted  to  act.  And  his  Britannic  mi^esty, 
and  tiie  government  of  the  United  Cuites,  hereby  agree  to  refer 
tiie  report  or  reports  of  the  said  coinmissioners,  to  some  friend- 
ly sovereign  or  state,  to  be  then  named  for  that  purpose,  an^  who 
shall  be.  requested  to  decide  on  the  differences  which  maybe  sta- 
ted ia  the  said  report  or  reports,  or  upon  tiie  report  of  one  com- 
misiioner,  together  with  the  grounds  upon  which  the  other 
commissioner  shall  have  refuse«U  declined,  or  omitted  to  act,  as 
tiie  case  may  be.  And  if  the  commissioner  so  refusing,  declin- 
ing, or  omittinc  to  act,  shall  also  wilfully  Omit  to  state  the  grounds 
upQn  which  he  has  so  done,  in  such  manner  that  the  aaid  statement 
maV  be  referred  to  such  friendly  sovereign  or  state,  together  with 
tiie  report  of  such  other  commissioner,  then  such  sovereign,  or 
state  shall  decide,  ex  parte,  upon  the  said  report  alone.  And  hia 
Britannic  maiesty  and  tiie  government  of  tne  United  States  en- 
gage to  consioer  the  decision  of  such  friendly  sovet^isn  or  state 
to  DO  final  and  conclusive  on  all  tiie  matters  so  referred. 

Art.  5.  Whereas  neither  that  point  of  the  highlands  lying  due 
nofth  from  the  source  of  the  river  St  Crmx,  and  designated,  in 
the  former  treaty  of  peace  between  the  two  powers,  as  tiie  north- 
-west angle  of  Mova  Scotia,  nor  the  northwesternroost  head'  of 
Connecticut  river,  has  yet  been  ascertained ;  and  whereas  that 
part  of  tiie  boundary  line  between  the  dominions  of  the  iwd 

iWlii  which  extends  from  the  source  of  the  river  St  Cr<nz 

ly  north  to  the  tUb&f^  mentioned  north w^t  anjElre  of  N'ovt 

thence  along  the  saidliighlands  which  diride  wove  riy«rt 


■^ 


'iir^ 


'^^- 


m:^ 


m 


c<miMBtor  the 
ppoiiii«d,iluai 
UtaHelmim, 
M»  ON  IA«  jNnri 
I,  mpieHvelff, 
•*  in  the  |>ro- 
i^ottrn  to  such 
Mid  commii- 
Birhandt  and 
es  the  several 
init7  with  the 
loutand  aeren 
iisionera  diall 
\iueh  deciaion 
t  la  the  event 
of  the  mattera 
lerofthe  aaid 
itting,toaetu 
tor  repots, aa 
to  that  of  the 
ich  thej  diiftr, 
I  have  been  for- 
im,  have  so  re  I 
innic  majestjr. 
agree  to  refer 
some  friend- 

n,and  who 
ay  be  sta< 
t  of  one  com- 
ch  the  other 
tted  to  act»  aa 
using,  declin- 
te  the  grounds 
laid  sfatement 
together  witii 
sovereign,  or 
ae.    And  hia 
id  States  en- 
'eign  or  state 
red. 

lids  lying  due 
esignated,  in 
as  uie  north* 
nost  head  of 
whereas  that 
s  of  the  iwd 
tr  St  Croix 
ik^e  of  N'ovft 
woMrivcrt 


mti' 


861 

fhit«mptv  themeelves  into  the  river  8t  Lawrtace,  frotti  tbAS« 
which  fall  into  the  Atlantic  ocean,  to  tiie  northwestemnott  head 
of  Connecticnt  river  i  thence,  down  along  the  middle  of  that 
river,  to  the  forty *fifth  degree  o^  north  latitude ;  thence*  by  albie 
due  weat  on  said  latitude,  until  it  strikes  tho,  river  Iroattola  or 
Gataraguy,  has  not  yet  been  surveyed }  it  is  agreed,  that  rorthese 
aeveralpurposes,  two  commissioners  shall  be  appointed,  swom« 
and  authorized,  to  act  exactly  in  the  mannei  directed  with  respect 
to  those  mentioned  in  the  nixt  precediiut  article,  unless  other- 
wise specified  in  the  preMnt  article.    The  said  comroissionert 
shall  meet  at  St.  Andrews,  in  the'  province  of  New  Brunswick* 
and  shall  have  power  te  adjourn  to  such  other  place  or  places  as 
they  shall  think  fit    The  said  commissioners  shall  have  power  ia 
ascertain  and  determine  the  points  abovementioned,  in  conformity 
with  Ae  i^rovisions  of  the  said  treaty  of  peace  of  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  eighty-three,  and  shall  cause  the  boundary 
aforesaid,  from  the  source  of  the  river  St.  Croix  to  the  iwir 
Iroquois  or  Cataraguy,  to  be  surveyed  and  marked  accordil^  to 
the  said  provisions.    The  said  commissioners  shall  make  a  inanp 
of  the  said  boundary,  and  annex  to  it  a  declaration  under  tiieir 
hands  and  seals,  certifying  it  to  be  the  true  map  of  the  saidbotfn" 
dary,  and  particularizing  the  latitude  and  longitude  of  the-abrth- 
west  angle  of  Nova  Scotia,  of  the  north-wejiterimost  hi|ad  of 
Connecticut  river,  and  of  such  other  points  of  the  said  boifndaijy 
as  they  may  deem  proper.    And  both  parties  agree  to  considn' 
such  map  and  declaration  as  finally  and  conclusively  fixing  the 
said  boundary.    And,  in  the  event  of  the  said  two  commissioners 
differing,  or  both,  or  either  of  them,  refusing,  or  declining,  or 
wilfully  omitUng  to  act,  such  reports,  declarations,  or  statementSi 
shall  M  made  by  them,  or  either  of  them,  and  such  reference  to 
a  friendly  sovereign  or  state  shall  be  made,  in  all  respects,  as  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  fourth  article  is  contained,  and  in  as  full  a 
manner  as  if  the  same  was  herein  repeated. 

AnT.  6.  Whereas,  by  the  former  treatv  of  peace,  that  por- 
tion of  the  boundary  of  the  United  States,  from  the  point  where 
the  forty-fifth  decree  of  north  latitude  strikes  the  river  Iroquoil|; 
or  Cataraguy  to  the  lake  Superior,  was  declared  tobe  **  alone  tile 
•middle  of  said  river  into  lake  Ontario,  through  the  middle  of 
said  lake  until  it  strikes  the  communication  by  water  between 
that  lake  and  lake  Erie,  thence  along  tiie  middle  of  said  commu- 
nication into  lake  Erie,  through  the  middle  of  said  lake,  until  it 
arrives  at  the  water  communication  into  the  lake  Huron,  thence 
through  the  middle  Of  said  lake  to  the  water  communication  be" 
tween  that  lake  and  lake  Superior,'*  And  whereas  doubts  have 
arisen  what  was  the  middle  of  the  said  river,  lakes,  and  water 
communications,  and  whether  certain  islands  lying  in  the  same 
were  'within  the  dominions  of  his  Britannic  majesty  or  ief  tiie 
United  States :  in  order,  therefore,  finally  to  decide  these  doiibts> 
ftey  shall  be  referred  to  two  commissioners,  to  be  maiointed, 


#?> 


m 


%. 


^-■^^ 


I 


in'- 


508 


U 


'■  1  i' 

•    i^ 

.It.' 


I" 


ftwqiH,  and  authiM^ed  t«|.act,  exaciW  in  %t  muliMr  dirtctcd 
witii  respect  to  tiiose  mentioned  in  the  next  preceding^  article 
unless  otnerwifie  specified  in  this  present  article.  The  said  com- 
missioners shall  meet,  in  <&e  first  instance,  at  Albany,  in  the 
st»te  of  Kitw  York,  and  shall  have  power  to  a^joam  to  svcb 
other  place  or  places  as  thej  shall  think  fit:  the  said  commii- 
•ioners  shall,  by  a  report  or  declaration,  under  &eir  hands  and 
seals,  designate  the  ooundary  through  the  said  river,  lakes,  and 
water  communications,  and  deci<?e  to  which  of  the  two  contract" 
ing  parties  the  several  islands  lying  wiUiin  the  said  river,  lakes* 
and  water  communications,  do  respectivejiy  belong,  in  confimDity 
with  the  true  intent  of  the  said  treaty  of  olw  thousand  seven  hnn<* 
dred  and  eighty -three.  And  both  parties  agree  to  consider  such 
designation  and  decision  as  final  and  conclusive;  AAd»nithe 
event  of  the  said  two  commissioners  differinj^,  or  both,  er  Mtfaer 
of  them,  refusing,  declining  or  wilfiiUy  omitting  to  act,  such  re« 
ports,  declarations,  or  statements,  shall  be  made  by  ,them,  or 
either  of  them,  and  such  reference  to  a  friendly  sovereign  or  stirte 
shall  be  made,  in  all  respects,  as  in  the  latter  part  of  the  fourth 
article  is  contained,  and  in  as  full  a  manner  as  if  the  same  was 
herein  repeated. 

Abt.  r.  It  is  furtiier  agreed,  that  the  said  two  last  mentioned 
commissionere,  after  they  shall  have  executed  the  duties  assigned 
to  them  in  the  preceding  article,  shall  be,  and  they  are  hereby  au-* 
thorized,  upon  their  oaths,  impartially  to  fix  and  determine,  ac> 
cording  to  the  true  intent  of  the  said  treaty  of  peace  of  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  el^ty-three,  that  part  of  the  boun- 
dary between  the  dominions  of  the  two  powers,  which  extende 
from  the  water  communication  between  lake  Huron  and  lake  Su^ 
perior,  to  the  most  northwestern  point  of  the  lake  of  the  Woods, 
to  decide  to  which  of  the  two  parties  the  several  islands  lying  in 
the  lakes,  water  communications,  and  riven,  forming  the  said 
iMundary,  do  respectively  belong,  in  conformity  with  the  true  in« 
tent  of  tne  said  treaty  of  peace  of  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  eighty-three ;  and  to  cause  such  parts  of  the  said  boundary 
as  require  it,  to  be  surveyed  and  marked.  The  said  commission- 
era  shall,  by  a  report  or  declaration  under  their  hands  and  seals^ 
designate  the  boundary  aforesaid,  .state  their  decision  on  the 
points  thus  referred  to  them,  and  particularize  the  latitude  and 
longitude  of  the  most  northwestern  point  of  the  lake  of  the 
Woods,  and  of  such  other  parts  of  the  said  boundary  as  they  may 
deew^roper.  And  both  parties  agree  to  consider  such  designa- 
tion and  decision  as  final  and  conclusive.  And,  in  the  event  of 
the  said  two  commissionera  differing,  or  both,  or  either  of  them, 
refusing,  declining,  or  wilfully  omitting  to  act,  such  reports, 
declarations,  or  statement3,  shall  be  made  by  them,  or  either  of 
them»  and  such  reference  to  a  friendly  sovereign  or  state,  shall  be 
made,  in  Idl  respects,  as  in  the  latter  part  of  the  fourth  article  is 


'I 


L>  In 


II. 


so* 


«<mtiiBMl,  and  in  at  f«U  a  Aiailkner  as  if  tke  Aame  Wu  hm^ 

repeated. 

Abt.  8*  The  seyeral  boatdb  of  two  cimiAiiisioners  nh«fftidiMd 
in  the  four  preceding  articlca,  shall,  respeetivelj*  haVe  pd#«lr  ttt 
appoint  a  secretary,  and  to  cmploj  snch  surveyoors  ^t  0ther  ft>* 
sons  as  tfaej  shall  judge  necessary*    Duplicates  of  all  Hieii*  MA« 
pective  reports,  declarations,  statements,  and  decisions*  and  of 
their  a<Scoiints,  and  of  the  joarnaT  of  their  proceedings,  shiUl  be 
delivered  by  them  to  the  ageoto  of  his  Britannic  majesty,  and  td 
the  agfsnts  of  the  United  Statot,  who  may  be  respectively  app0.int4. 
ed  and  authorized  to  tnan^^e  the  business  on  behalf  of  theif  rit^ ' 
spective  ^vernmenta. '  Tlie  said  commissioners  shall  be,  Ntspe^-' 
tively,  paid  in  such  manner  as  shall  be  agreed  between  th^  tit'd 
contractiBg  parties,  duch  a^eement  bein^  to  be  settled  at  the  time 
<rf'the  exchange  of  the  ratifications  (^  this  treaty.    And  all  o^er 
cip6ii8es  attending  the  said  commission  shall  be  defrayed  equal'* 
ly,  by  the  two  piraes.    And  in  the  cast  of  death,  sickness,  tt* 
sigUation,  or  necessary  absence,  the  place  of  every  such  commis- 
sioner, respectively,  shall  be  supplied  in  the  same  manner  as  sU^h 
commissioner  was  fiirst  appointed,  and  the  new  commissioner  ^all 
take  the  same  oath  or  affirmation,  and  do  the  same  duties.    It  is 
furtiler  agreed  between  the  two  contraetine  parties,  that  in^case 
any  of  the  islands  mentioned  in  any  of  the  preceding  articfes, 
which  were  Ih  the  possession  Of  one  of  the  parties  prior  to  the  com- 
mencement of  the  present  war  between  the  two  countries,  should^ 
by  the  decision  of  any.  of  the  boards  of  commissioners  aforesaid^ 
or  of  the  sovereign  Or  state  so  referred  to,  as  in  the  four  nelt  pre- 
ceding articles  contained,  fall  within  the  dominions  of  the  othe# 
party,  all  grants  of  land  made  previous  to  the  commencement  of 
the  war  by  the  party  having  had  sttch  possession,  shall  be  a*  valid 
as  if  such  island  or  islands  had,  by  such  decision  or  decisions* 
been  adjudged  to  be  within  tho  dominions  of  the  party  haviiig  had 
such  possession. 

Art.  9.  The  United  States  of  America  engage  to  put  an  end^ 
immediately  after  the  ratification  of  the  present  treaty,  to  hostili- 
ties with  all  the  tribes  ornations  of  Indians,  with  whom  they  may 
be  at  war  at  the  time  of  such  ratification ;  and  forthwith  to  restore 
to  such  tribes  or  nations,  respectively,  all  the  possessions,  rights, 
.  and  privileges,  which  they  may  have  enjoyed  or  been  entitled  to 
in  one  thousand  ei^t  hundred  and  eleven,  previous  to  such  hosti- 
lities :  provided  always,  that  such  tribes  or  nations  shall  agree  ^^ 
desist  from  all  hostilities  against  the  United  States  of  America, 
their  citizens  -and  suljects,  upon  the  ratification  of  the  piresent 
treaty  being  notified  to  such  tribes  or  nations,  and  shall  so  desist 
accordingly.  And  his  Britannic  majesty  engages,  on  his  part,  to 
put  an  end,  Immediatel  v.after  the  ratification  of  the  present  trfi^ty* 
to  hostilities  with  all  the  tribes  or  nations  of  Indians  with  whom 
he  may  be  at  war  at  the  time  of  such  ratification,  and  forthwith 
to  restore  to  such  tribes  or  iMttions,  respectively,  all  the  p#Mfe»- 


■w 


«     5 


,:M 


^t. 


m 


'A 


I  5W 

•ions^  rights,  and  priTileges,  which  they  may  have  enjoyed  or 
been  entitled  to,  in  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eleven^ 
previous  to  such  hostilities  i  provided  always,  that  such  tribes  or 
nations,  shall  agree  to  desist  from  all  hostilities  against  his  Bri- 
tannic miyesty,  and  his  subjects,  upon  the  ratification  of  the  pre- 
sent treaty  being  notified  to  such  tribes  or  nations,  and  shall  so 
desist  accordingly^ 

Art.  10.  whereas  the  traffic  in  slaves  is  irreconcileable  with 
the  principles  of  humanity  and  justice,  and  whereas  both  his  ma- 
jesty and  the  United  States  are  desirous  of  continuing  their  efforts 
to  promote  its  entire  abolitipn,  it  is  h^by  agreed,  that  both  the 
contracting  partie«  shall  use  their  best  endeavors  to  accomplish 
80  desirable  an  object. 

Art.  11.  This  treaty,  when  the  same  shall  have  been  ratified  on 
both  sides,  witiiout  alteration  by  either  of  the  contracting  parties, 
and  the  ratifications  mutually  exchanged,  shall  be  binding  on  both 
parties;  and  the  ratifications  shall  be  exchanged  at  Washington, 
in  the  space  of  four  months  from  this  day,  or  sooner,  if  practica- 
ble. 

In  faith  whereof,  we,  the  respective  plenipotentiaries,  have  signed 
this  treaty,  and  have  hereunto  afliixed  our  seals. 

Done,  in  triplicate,  at  Ghent,  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  Decem- 
ber, one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fourteen. 

GAMBIER, 
HENRY  GOULBURN, 
WILLIAM  ADAMS, 
JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS, 
J.  A.  BAYARD, 
H.  CLAY. 
JONA.  RUSSELL. 
ALBERT  GALLATIN. 


L. 

S.' 

4 

'l. 

*% 

> 

L. 

s.' 

* 

L. 

s. 

k 

« 

L. 

s. 

1 

l. 

s. 

■ 

1 

L. 

s. 

• 

a 

L. 

s.^ 

# 


\h\ 


■  I' 


1 


5         '^'\ 


m 


'^ 


* 


^.jl^t 


:'  't! 


Iiave  ei^ojed  or 
red  and  eleven^ 
it  such  tribes  or 
a^inst  his  Bri- 
ition  of  the  pre- 
ns,  and  shall  so 

:oncileable  with 
sas  both  his  ma- 
ting their  efforts 
d,  that  both  the 
9  to  accomplish 

been  ratified  on 
ractiug  parties, 
binding  on  both 
it  Washington, 
ler,  if  practica- 

ies,  have  signed 
eals. 

day  of  Decern- 
in. 

RN, 

DAMS, 


.■■^. 


'4«»;' 


.■/^•n 


riN. 


^- 


W 


^i\ 


